LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

PROCEEDINGS OF LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2005, 7:00 PM

The regular meeting of the Lowden City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Dan Hamdorf. Councilmembers present on roll call: Conrad, Gottschalk, Decker, Kroemer. Visitors: Gene Hamdorf, Pat Kroemer, Greg Thompson, Ron Coe, Connie Gottschalk, Scott Morrison, Larry Gottschalk, Lewis Terlisner, Bob Rouse, Harlan Pruess, Bill Norton.

M/S Kroemer, Decker to approve the minutes of the 7-5-05 meeting. Ayes: All.

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

Lewis Terlisner was present with a sample of the rusty water they have at least three times a week. Council said the City has cleaned the tower and flushed hydrants. The next step may be to add a chemical to the water to eliminate the rust color. Council instructed Gene Hamdorf to get prices for the chemical and present the information at the September meeting.

Greg Thompson, Clarence Ambulance Association, was present to tell the City Council of their plans to build a new ambulance building on the east side of Clarence. Funding for the project will be from ambulance run revenues and also fundraising efforts. He asked the Council for a resolution showing the Lowden City Council would support their efforts to build a new ambulance building in Clarence. M/S Decker, Gottschalk to pass Resolution #08-05 whereby the Lowden City Council supports the efforts of the Clarence Ambulance Association to build a new building in Clarence. Ayes: All.

Larry Gottschalk asked the council if some dirt could be put in the alley west of his house since the area was used heavily by cement trucks when putting in the walking path at the Park. M/S Conrad, Decker to have the City haul dirt into the alley, grade it, and provide grass seed as needed. Ayes: All.

M/S Decker, Gottschalk to hire Gardner Architecture, Strawberry Point, Iowa, as the architect for the new Little Home Day Care Center, as recommended by Bill Norton. Ayes: All.

Harlan Pruess, presented revised copies of his Final Plat for the Pruess Third Addition. He questioned why he is being required to have a 20 ft. utility easement between Lots 4 and 5. City will check with Shoemaker and Haaland Engineers concerning this. The following issues were also addressed: A 1 ft. deep ditch will be constructed along the south side of 1st street. A 15”storm sewer will be required in that ditch when lots are sold. City will not require a Performance Bond since Pruess indicated the public improvements will be completed by the end of the week of August 1. Utility lines encumbering Lot 6 will be removed. No construction documents were submitted with the Final Plat. M/S Conrad, Hamdorf to approve the Pruess Third Addition Final Plat. Ayes: All. Gene Hamdorf will speak to Steve Laughlin, Shoemaker & Haaland Engineers, to clarify some issues. The City Attorney will review the Final Plat as well.

Scott Morrison was present to again ask for a stop sign or speed bumps along Park Avenue at 6th Street. He said there are many speeding cars through there and is concerned for the safety of children. M/S Hamdorf, Decker to put a stop sign on Park Avenue at 6th Street. Ayes: Gottschalk, Hamdorf, Decker. Nays: Conrad, Kroemer.

A bill from JJJ Enterprises, $445.66, was received by the City for replacing a leaky connection near the water shut off at 98 5th Street Place. Council questioned who installed the shut off originally since the connection is fairly new. M/S Decker, Gottschalk to have the City pay the JJJ Enterprises bill for repairs since the leak was on the City’s side of the joint. Ayes: Decker, Gottschalk. Nays: Kroemer, Conrad. Abstain: Hamdorf. Motion defeated. Gene Hamdorf was instructed to find out who installed the original water service line and shut off at that location.

Gene Hamdorf will call Northway Well to see if they will give an estimate on replacing the standpipe at the watertower. Councilman Hamdorf said the work has to be done before winter. Gene also told the council there have been some problems with the relays and switches at the watertower and he will have those checked as well.

M/S Kroemer, Gottschalk to waive the second reading, have the third reading, and adopt Ordinance #764 stating the City will not allow any pit bull dogs in the City of Lowden. Ayes: All.

Gene reported the slurry seal on 5th Street Place is complete and the one area that has a rough spot will even out on its own, according to MSI.

Galen Conrad will look for a railroad tie for the curb area by Bob Madden’s on Jefferson Avenue.

Gene Hamdorf said the tiling behind Gary Oster’s will not be done until the crop is taken our this fall by Dexter’s. Council told Gene to get estimates from Junior Yutesler and JJJ Enterprises for the tiling work.

M/S Kroemer, Decker to approve the monthly financial report. Ayes: All.

M/S Kroemer, Decker to approve the following building permits: Shane Tharp-deck and Rodney Lange-house addition. Ayes: All.

Clerk reported the City received a $40 donation from F & B Communications for the use of the open shelter at the Park for their customer appreciation day.
F & B will be hosting the City’s web site free of charge. The City currently was paying $9.95/mo. to F & B.

Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 7:00 PM, due to the Labor Day Holiday.

M/S Hamdorf, Decker to adjourn at 8:27 PM. Ayes: All.

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