LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

PROCEEDINGS OF LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006, 7:00 PM

The regular meeting of the Lowden City Council was called to order by Mayor Reuben Wenndt. Council members present on roll call: Conrad, Ryan, Olsen, Decker, Madden. Visitors: Larry Nagle, Pat Kroemer, Kent Stout, Gene Hamdorf, Joey Wenndt, David Boettcher, Victor Young, Tony Miles, Kevin Lange, Clark Gordon, Landon Gordon, Bill Norton.

M/S Ryan, Madden to approve the minutes of the 10/2/06 council meeting. Ayes: All.

M/S Conrad, Ryan to approve the bills as presented. Ayes: All.

Kent Stout, visitor, said the Bank property has had a problem with skateboarders. He called the Cedar County Sheriff’s Dept. on one occasion and no tickets were issued to the six offending youth. He questioned who is enforcing this ordinance against skateboarding if youth are released after being caught with no punishment. He also asked the council who is liable on sidewalks if someone gets hurt. Council assumed the property owner would be.

Kent Stout also told the council the Medical Clinic will be installing new sidewalks and a ramp in memory of Bill and Florence Stout. The sidewalk will extend another 6-12”further into the street to allow for proper ramp placing.

M/S Ryan, Conrad to close the meeting and open the Public Hearing on the application for CDBG funding for a new 150,000 water tower. Ayes: All.

Larry Nagle, ECIA, discussed the project and presented information in support of a CDBG application. An engineering report prepared by MSA Professional Services documented the need for construction of a 150,000 gallon storage tank to replace the existing 30,000 gallon tank. The City will borrow funds to provide for its portion of the project costs. At this time, it is estimated to be $426,090. The application for CDBG funds will be submitted by the November 15, 2006 deadline. The City requests the Iowa Dept. of Economic Development provide $300,000 toward the project. Based upon an income survey conducted by the City, 56.9% of the persons benefiting from the project are of low or moderate income. The proposed well site is located on existing City property and there are no plans to displace any persons or businesses because of the project. IDED will make a decision on the City’s application in March 2007.

M/S Ryan, Decker to close the Public Hearing and open the Council meeting. Ayes: All.

Kevin Lange, visitor, gave a letter to the Council stating he thought his constitutional rights were violated because he received a fine for burning. The City now has an ordinance which bans burning in the City limits. Council told Kevin he is being treated no differently than others which have violated the burn ban.

Clark Gordon, visitor, told the Council he is disappointed the City does not provide building, electrical, or plumbing codes for contractors to abide by.

Bill Norton and Kent Stout were present to inform the council the Little Home Day Care project is moving forward. A question was raised on who would pay for a water line extension with a fire hydrant, down 8th Street from Park Avenue to the new day care site, approximately 400’, estimated cost $10,000-12,000. Council said perhaps the day care and the City could split the cost of the water line extension. Council directed Gene to get firm costs for the extension and the water committee will decide how the project costs will be divided.

Joey Wenndt, Lowden Fire Dept., presented information to the Council on the Junior Firefighter Program they would like to begin. They would accept up to 5 young people, ages 15-18, for the program. M/S Olsen, Madden to have the Lowden Fire Dept. begin the new Junior Firefighter Program. Ayes: All.

Mayor Wenndt will check what regulations there are for gross vehicle ratings on trucks. This is to clarify a new ordinance prohibiting trucks with gross vehicle weights over 13,500 pounds from parking on City streets in Lowden.

M/S Conrad, Madden to accept the only bid received from JJJ Enterprises for winter snow removal - $75/hr. for a backhoe and/or end loader and $50/hr. for a dump truck. Ayes: All.

M/S Ryan, Olsen to purchase forks for the tractor bucket at a cost of $920 from Strackbein’s to lift cardboard bales. Ayes: All. The cardboard packer is in and Del Kruckenberg has been asked to complete the wiring for the project.

Councilman Ryan asked if anyone had ever asked about using the leaf vacuum from Tipton. Mayor Wenndt said former councilman Dan Hamdorf was to check on that and was not sure what the outcome was.

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

Councilman Ryan asked if the council would be interested in a long term lease with Farm Service so the old FS station on Main Street could be cleaned up and painted. Council questioned the liability issue there with underground tanks, etc.

M/S Ryan, Decker to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Ayes: All.

Next regular meeting is December 4, 2006, 5:00 PM. Ayes: All.

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