CITY OF OSKALOOSA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
406 LIBERTY STREET
OCTOBER 20, 2011 * 7:00PM
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GOVERNING
BODY MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mike Boyd,
Mayor
Mike
Paavola, Council President
John
Norman, Council
Gary
Bryant, Council
Kathy
Griffin, Council
OFFICIALS
PRESENT:
Patty
Hamm, City Clerk
Jan
Hayes, City Attorney
Mike
Hayes, City Attorney
Bill
Heard, City Superintendent
CITIZENS
PRESENT:
Amanda Holloway, 102 W Washington
Street
Brian
Janus, RuralNetworks
Dennis
Sharkey, Oskaloosa Independent
CALL TO ORDER
Mike Boyd, Mayor, called the regular meeting of the Oskaloosa City
Council to order at 7:00pm.
CITIZENS
STREET LIGHT REQUEST
Amanda Holloway informed Council that she has had some vandalism to
her car and prowlers at her home. Amanda stated she is in the process of
getting pricing for a security light but wanted to know if the City could
assist with additional street lighting to help avoid the activity. After
discussion, Council agreed to contact Westar Energy to see if they could
install brighter bulbs in the lights that exist on Ms. Holloway’s street.
RURALNETWORKS
Brian Janus stated he is in receipt of the City’s letter notifying
him of the City’s intent to discontinue the lease agreement for the internet
equipment on top of the City’s water tower. Brian advised that although the
equipment is old, it is still functional. Brian asked the Council if they would
be interested in taking ownership of the equipment at no charge and providing a
free internet hotspot for the citizens of the City. Council members replied
they would consider the offer and, in the meantime, would request citizen input
on the matter.
OLD BUSINESS
MITIGATION PLAN
Gary Bryant stated he is still concerned
with the part of the agreement that states the City will build a shelter.
Council members agreed more information is needed regarding what is required of
the City. Mike Boyd advised that the plan is required and without it the City
will not be eligible for full funding in the event of a disaster. No action was
taken.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Council members discussed the Emergency Action
Plan and what is included in the plan. Patty will provide copies of the plan to
new Council members for review.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
Patty Hamm reported that Rick Twenhafal,
Assurant Insurance Agent, has conducted the employee interviews and will be
notifying the City when the quote is complete in approximately ten days.
CITY HALL BUILDING
Mike Boyd reported there has not been any
inquiry by any potential buyer for the Harvey’s building.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mike Boyd read a thank you card from Dottie Hissong regarding the
City’s action on moving forward with the swimming pool project.
Mike Boyd read a thank you card from Rick and Patty Jones regarding
the flowers and thoughts as a result of their motorcycle accident.
MINUTES
Mike Paavola made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 6,
2011 regular Council meeting as written. John Norman seconded the motion. Vote:
Yes=4, No=0 Motion Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
POLICE --Mike Boyd reported that officers have written a couple of new
tickets.
FINANCE --John Norman reported that he and Kathy Griffin met with Joy Neely,
Treasurer, to discuss the City’s budget and financial statements. John advised
that Joy will have some recommendations for the Council after she has had a
chance to review the documents more thoroughly. John stated that he has also
advised Joy that he and Kathy would like an opportunity to look over the
accounts payable vouchers prior to the Council meetings instead of during the
meetings. Mike Paavola made a motion to
approve the October vouchers as presented. John Norman seconded the motion.
Vote: Yes=4, No=0 Motion Carried.
WATER/WASTEWATER --Gary Bryant made a motion to approve a $50
adjustment to the sewer charge for a water leak at 510 Hamilton Street and to
send a letter to the homeowner advising of the leak policy. John Norman
seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0
Motion Carried.
--Bill Heard reported on a water
leak on the east side of the Courthouse on Washington Street.
STREETS/MAINTENANCE --John Norman made a motion to approve Resolution
#11-06 closing Washington Street from Liberty Street to Union Street on
Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 5pm to 9pm for the Trunk or Treat event. Mike
Paavola seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0
Motion Carried.
--John Norman made a motion to
approve Resolution #11-07 closing Cherokee Street from Jefferson Street to a
half block south on Cherokee Street on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 8am to
5pm for a property auction at Oskie Auto Center. Mike Paavola seconded the
motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0 Motion
Carried.
--Bill Heard reported that Kings
Construction will soon begin the work on east Warren Street. Bill noted that
the ditch will need to be cut back at 109 Walnut Street along the Warren Street
property line.
--Mike Boyd reported that the
backhoe should be ready for pickup around November 10th. Council
discussed putting out to bid the hauling of the backhoe. No action was taken.
PARK/POOL --Council members were given the contract submitted by Continental
Pools for review. Mike Paavola made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session
for attorney-client privilege at 8:25pm for fifteen minutes. Kathy Griffin
seconded the motion. Mike Hayes requested Bill Heard and Patty Hamm remain to
assist in the discussion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0
Motion Carried. Public Session resumed at 8:40pm. Mike Boyd announced no
binding action taken. Council directed legal counsel to draft a contract and
submit it to Continental Pools for review.
ZONING --Patty Hamm reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Patty
advised that the commission requests the Council department head be in
attendance at the commission meetings to act as a liaison between the two
groups.
--Patty Hamm reported the
Planning Commission will soon be ready to submit the revised zoning regulations
to Council for review and approval.
--Patty Hamm reported the
Planning Commission discussed the option of using a building inspector and
agreed that it is best to stay at UBC 1988 as long as no inspections are done
by the City. Patty noted that the commission would like to have a disclaimer
added to all building permits noting that the City does not have a building
inspector and, therefore, is not responsible for the engineering of a
structure. Patty advised that the commission discussed requesting proof of
certification of electrical and plumbing on new construction. Council members
present disagreed as many contractors do their own plumbing and electrical but
are not certified.
--Patty Hamm advised the
Planning Commission will be changing their meeting time to 6:30pm instead of
7:00pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
OFFICE --Patty Hamm reported on contact she had with Centurylink and advised
the Council that terminating the internet service at the City Shop would reduce
the bill by $40 per month. Patty advised the Council that if the City chose to
add internet service at the City Shop again at a later date the cost would increase to $104 per month because the
current rate of $40 is no longer offered for commercial property. No action was
taken.
HEALTH BOARD --Patty Hamm reported the camera has been purchased.
--John Norman stated he would be
working with legal counsel on several properties that have not come into
compliance as requested.
--Bill Heard reported the stumps
have been ground at 203 Delaware Street. Bill will spread grass seed as weather
permits.
LEGAL --No Report
NEW BUSINESS:
Kathy Griffin made a
motion to adjourn to Executive Session for Personnel Exception at 9:20pm for
fifteen minutes. John Norman seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0 Motion Carried. Public session resumed at
9:35pm. Mike Boyd announced no binding action taken.
John Norman made a
motion to adjourn to Executive Session for Personnel Exception at 9:35pm for
fifteen minutes. Gary Bryant seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0 Motion Carried. Public session resumed at
9:50pm. Mike Boyd announced no binding action taken.
Kathy Griffin made a
motion to create job descriptions for all employment positions within the City
of Oskaloosa. John Norman seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0 Motion Carried.
Kathy Griffin made a
motion to send a letter to employees regarding the Council’s consideration to
no longer pay for any health/dental insurance premiums other than single
coverage effective December 1, 2011 and to invite employees to the next regular
Council meeting if they would like to discuss the change of coverage. Gary
Bryant seconded the motion. Council members agreed they want to continue the
single coverage with the current Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. Vote: Yes=4,
No=0 Motion Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mike Paavola made a motion
to adjourn the meeting at 10:15pm. John
Norman seconded the motion. Vote: Yes=4, No=0
Motion Carried.
MINUTES APPROVED NOVEMBER
3, 2011
Mike
Boyd, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patty A. Hamm, City Clerk
