LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

PROCEEDINGS OF LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2005, 7:00 PM

The regular meeting of the Lowden City Council was called to order by Mayor Reuben Wenndt. Councilmembers present on roll call: Conrad, Gottschalk, Hamdorf, Decker, Kroemer. Visitors: Tom Schwarz, Bill Norton, Pat Kroemer, Harlan Pruess, Clarence Walton, Steve Laughlin, Gene Hamdorf, Judy Mowry, Marlin Mowry, Charlene Bixler, Mel Hamilton.

M/S Conrad, Gottschalk to approve the minutes of the 5-2-05 meeting. Ayes: All.

M/S Conrad, Hamdorf to approve the bills for payment as presented. Ayes: All.

M/S Kroemer, Decker to open the public hearing on the FY05 budget amendment. Ayes: All.

M/S Kroemer, Decker to close the public hearing and pass Resolution #06-05 approving the FY05 budget amendment. Ayes: All.

Steve Laughlin, Shoemaker & Haaland Engineers, was present with comments for the Council on the preliminary plat of the Pruess Third Addition. He recommended curb and gutter and a storm sewer along 700’on the south side of 1st Street west to the creek. The 1st Street right of way width also needs to be upgraded to a minimum of 50 feet. A Roosevelt Avenue extension could be platted as a “reservation” for a future street if needed. A utility easement should be included in the Plat for access to parcels west of Yankee Avenue. Pruess and his consultant, Clarence Walton, indicated they would prefer to put in a drainage ditch on the south side of 1st Street rather than the more costly curb and gutter and storm sewer. A lengthy discussion followed on requirements for Pruess’s plat. M/S Conrad, Hamdorf for Pruess to bring a revised preliminary plat to the July council meeting and have a final plat prepared as well, with the understanding either a drainage ditch or curb and gutter, whichever is prefered by Pruess, will be included in the plans. Ayes: All. Steve Laughlin stated the plans presented by Pruess, must be accompanied with construction plans.

Charlene Bixler addressed the council about an incident on May 30 whereby she was walking past Seb Meyer’s house, 402 Grant Ave., and was attacked and bitten by his dog. Judy and Marlin Mowry were also present to express concern about her mother who lives directly to the north of Meyer. Mowry’s dog was attacked by Meyer’s dog when staying at her mother’s house. Mel Hamilton stated the dogs are loose frequently and have chased him. Mayor Wenndt said the Sheriff’s Department has filed charges against Meyer. According the City’s ordinance, these dogs are labeled as “vicious”. M/S Kroemer, Decker to send Seb Meyer a letter requesting he dispose of 2 dogs, the pit bull/mix and bulldog, upon receipt of the City’s letter. Ayes: Gottschalk, Decker, Kroemer. Nays: Conrad, Hamdorf. Motion passed. Hamdorf thought it necessary for Meyer to dispose of the pit bull/mix dog only. There will a first reading of an ordinance at the July meeting to ban pit bull dogs, or any definition thereof, in Lowden.

Council discussed the drainage problem near Gary Oster’s duplex on Grant Avenue. Gene will get costs of drainage tile to have the water drain towards the Roosevelt Avenue drainage drop box off 5th St. Place and not onto Oster’s property.

A letter from Jan Olsen, downtown business owner, requesting a stipend for Stephanie Williams for watering downtown planters was denied. Councilperson Lisa Decker volunteered to water the Main Street planters and City Park plants for the summer.

Council tabled discussion on a water rate increase.

Gene Hamdorf was told to obtain information about a stop sign on Park Avenue and 6th Street and report back at the July meeting.

M/S Kroemer, Conrad to have David Scheer paint the upper exterior part of the City Hall at a cost of $420. Ayes: All. He will also be asked if he would clean the eavespouts on the City Hall.

M/S Conrad, Hamdorf to have the City go out for bids for an architect for the new Little Home Day Care Center as requested by Bill Norton. Ayes: All. Norton will supply the necessary information to City Hall for the bidding requests.

Council acknowledged Reuben Wenndt’s resignation from the Lowden Cemetery Board.

M/S Conrad, Gottschalk to amend the agenda to add: Transfer unused budget funds from the Fire budget and Rescue budget to Savings. Ayes: All.

M/S Conrad, Gottschalk to transfer unused budget funds for Library, Fire, and Rescue to their Savings funds. Ayes: All.

Gene Hamdorf reported a water leak has been found and repaired south of the car wash on Highway 30. That could account for a loss of 40,000 gallons of water a day.

Council approved having Mississippi Valley Pump install the new pump at the wastewater plant at an estimated cost of $3500-4500.

Gene will get a used railroad tie for along the street in front of Madden’s on Jefferson Ave.

Councilperson Conrad will check at the Cedar County Courthouse on the right of way behind the property at 804 Hall Ave.

Mayor reported several of the property owners along east Main Street would like the City to mow the south side of the street by their mailboxes. This is in the City’s right of way, but the City will only mow 1 or 2 mower swipes along the property.

M/S Conrad, Hamdorf to approve the monthly financial report. Ayes: All.

M/S Decker, Conrad to approve the following permits: Barbara Schnede-deck, Howard Fisher-shed, 3-30 Club-Liquor License and Outdoor Service Area permit, and Lowden Legion-Liquor License and Sunday Sales permit. Ayes: All.

The City will donate to the Lowden Garden Club, three additional loads of cement towards the walking path at the Park.

Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 5, 2005, 7:00 PM, due to the Fourth of July holiday.

M/S Decker, Kroemer to adjourn at 9:50 PM. Ayes: All.

<< BACK