LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

PROCEEDINGS OF LOWDEN CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2004, 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, Kroemer. Hamdorf seated at 7:40 PM. Absent: Decker. Visitors: Pat Kroemer, Gene Hamdorf, Mark Schneider, Larry Nagle, Amanda Becker, Kent Stout, Jason Miller, Ardelle Rettkowski, Bill Norton.

M/S Kroemer, Conrad to approve the minutes of the 11-8-04 council meeting. Ayes: Conrad, Gottschalk, Kroemer.

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

M/S Kroemer, Conrad to close the meeting and open the Public Hearings on the CDBG applications for water system improvements and day care facility improvements. Ayes: Conrad, Gottschalk, Kroemer.

Mayor Wenndt solicited comments on the City’s proposed application for a Community Development Block Grant to the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The Council discussed the need for additional licensed childcare in Lowden and Little Home Day Care’s desire to provide that service. The proposed project includes the construction of an addition to the North Cedar Elementary School in Lowden that will be utilized for childcare. The City will lease the ground from the North Cedar School District and contract with Little Home Day Care for the operation of the center. The budget and application were discussed. The proposed improvements will be in the amount of $615,000 including construction, architectural services and administrative fees. The total amount of CDBG funds requested will be $300,000 with the City providing the local match of $315,000 through a USDA, RD loan. The application will be submitted to IDED no later than December 8, 2004. A local income survey showed that 60% of the funds will benefit low-to-moderate income persons utilizing the facility. By design, no displacement will occur. If displacement is necessary, the City will comply fully with the Uniform Relocation Act and Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act. Mayor Wenndt closed the Public Hearing with no negative comments from citizens present and no objections on file. Mayor Wenndt asked Schneider if the City would be liable if Little Home Day Care would default on loan payments. Schneider told the council the City would not be liable for loan repayment.

The second Public Hearing was held concerning the application for CDBG funding to construct a 150,000 water storage tank. Larry Nagle, ECIA, discussed the project and presented the following information in support of a CDBG application: 1) An engineering report prepared by MSA Professional Services documented the need for construction of a 150,000 water storage tank to replace the existing 15,000 tank. 2) The City will borrow funds to provide for its portion of the project costs, estimated to be $368,604. 3) The application for CDBG funds will be submitted by the December 8, 2004, deadline. 4) The City requests the Iowa Department of Economic Development provide $300,000 toward the project. 5) Based upon an income survey done by the City, 56.9% of the persons benefiting from the project are of low or moderate income. 6) The proposed well site is located on existing City property. 7) There are no plans to displace any persons or businesses because of the project. 8) IDED will make a decision on the City’s application in March 2005. Jason Miller, MSA, asked the council if the City would proceed with the project if they did not receive CDBG funding. Council indicated they would decide that in March after the grant funds are awarded. They also decided to wait until March to see if the City receives the grant to decide if they will proceed with the environmental study and preliminary engineering design plans which could then be paid by grant funding.

Mayor Wenndt closed the Public Hearings.

M/S Gottschalk, Conrad to approve Resolution #06-04 whereby the City will apply for a CDBG grant in the amount of $315,000 and an application for a loan of $315,000 from USDA, Rural Development. Ayes: Conrad, Gottschalk, Kroemer.

M/S Conrad, Kroemer to approve submission of an application for a CDBG grant for water system improvements. Ayes: Conrad, Gottschalk, Kroemer.

M/S Kroemer, Conrad to seat Hamdorf at 7:40 PM. Ayes: Conrad, Gottschalk, Kroemer.

Larry Nagle, ECIA, discussed updates made to the Lowden Municipal Code. A Public Hearing will be held on January 3, 2005, 7:00 PM, to adopt the Code as amended.

M/S Conrad, Gottschalk to accept the only bid received from Kirk Meyer for the 1983 Chevrolet Crewcab truck - bid amount $495.00. Ayes: All.

M/S Gottschalk, Hamdorf to waive the second reading, have the third reading and adopt Ordinance #763, whereby building heights for outbuildings in areas zoned Residential 1, will not exceed 18 feet. Ayes: All.

Council decided to not participate in the IDOT bridge funding plan at this time.

Mayor Wenndt discussed the vacation time of the maintenance men and would like to see them take 2 weeks of vacation at a time. He felt their work would be less interrupted if 2 weeks were taken all at once. Council felt there did not need to be a change in when the vacations are taken.

M/S Hamdorf, Kroemer to authorize City Clerk to pay end of calendar year bills. Ayes: All.

Mayor Wenndt gave information to the council about baling the City’s cardboard. The City currently has a baler which only bales 100# bales. City Carton Co., where the City takes loose cardboard, only accepts 1000# bales.Mayor Wenndt said a new 60”baler would cost in the range of $6000. City Carton Co. would pick up the bales and the City would be paid for the cardboard. Currently, the City receives nothing for the cardboard taken to Cedar Rapids. Council suggested Mayor Wenndt get prices for a new or used baler and a trade-in price for the City’s baler and the council with discuss the matter at the January meeting.

Gene Hamdorf reported the water line has been laid to the old Lee’s Garage. Also, two wastewater pumps are still being repaired.

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

M/S Kroemer, Gottschalk to approve a building permit for Sam Tika-Fast Stop, building addition. Ayes: Gottschalk, Kroemer, Hamdorf. Nays: Conrad.

Council accepted Michelle Breneman’s resignation from the Lowden Library Board.

Ardelle Rettkowski was present to inform the council she has had numerous sewer problems on her property over the last 10 years. She has replaced most of her sewer line. After discussion, Council told Rettkowski that Gene will check the vent pipe at her house and will also check the sewer main when the City has the sewer jetter.

A written police report for November was presented to the Council.

M/S Kroemer, Hamdorf to adjourn at 8:40 PM. Ayes: All.

Next regular meeting is January 3, 2005, 7:00 PM.

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