Regular City Council Meeting                                                                                                    July 7, 2009

City Council Chambers                                                                                                                   7:00 p.m.

 

Present:  Mayor –                    Joyce Hudson

               Council members     Jeff Kennedy                                     

                                                Jim Aden                                                        

                                                Tim Strauser

                                                Jeff Whiting

                City Administrator  Bruce Clymer

                City Clerk               Connie L. Dalrymple

                City Attorney          Mike Bacon

                Police Sgt.               Matthew Langley

 

Press:  Gothenburg Times - Beth Barrett                               

 

Also present:  Shane Gruber, Linda Crisman, Rex Crisman, Joyce Kolbo

 

Mayor Hudson opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  Advance notice and a copy of the agenda were given to the Council and members of the press.  City Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, a copy of which is available for public inspection on the north wall of the Council Chambers.

 

Kennedy moved, Aden seconded, to approve the consent agenda that included:

             City Council minutes – June 16 & 30

             Board of Adjustment minutes - 6-19-09

             Planning & Zoning Commission minutes – June 9 and June 23

             Police report - June

             Cemetery Board report – April thru June 2009

Roll call vote: Yea - Whiting, Strauser, Aden, Kennedy.  Nay – none.

 

Whiting moved, Strauser seconded, allowing payment of the claims against the City, $70,799.19; Public Works Division $81,416.82; June 11 payroll of 36,723.55 and the July 25 payroll of $40,678.51.  Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Aden, Strauser, Whiting.    Nay - none.

 

OPEN FORUM:

-          We’ve received information from Source Gas that they are filing for a 12.3% increase in residential rates and a 7.9% increase in commercial rates to be effective October 1, 2009.

-          A burglary at the 4-plex concession resulted in a lot of damage to the door and contents of the building.  Two juveniles have been arrested for burglary and criminal mischief. 

-          Administrator Clymer provided several years information on the cost of City-Wide Cleanup.  Costs this year were $7500 including approximately $1000 in overtime wages.

 

Kennedy moved, Aden seconded, to introduce Ordinance 849 vacating 21st Street between Avenues G and H.  The property will revert to the adjacent owners but the City retains easements for utilities.  Roll call vote: Yea – Strauser, Whiting, Aden, Kennedy.  Nay - none.

 

Administrator Clymer reviewed the changes and additions in the proposed zoning and subdivision ordinances.

 

Whiting moved, Strauser seconded, introduction of Ordinance 850 adopting the updated zoning regulations.  Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Aden, Strauser, Whiting.  Nay – none.

 

Kennedy moved, Aden seconded, introduction of Ordinance 851 adopting the updated subdivision regulations.  Roll call vote: Yea – Strauser, Whiting, Aden, Kennedy.  Nay – none.

 

The Police Department has been frustrated with complaints and traffic issues with streets being used for block parties.  The streets are public areas and need to be available for emergency vehicles if needed.  Following discussion Kennedy moved, Strauser seconded, to pass and approve Resolution 2009-14 banning block parties and other private gatherings on the streets.  Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting, Aden, Strauser, Kennedy.  Nay – none.

 

The City has received complaints about a fruit tree and bushes obstructing the view from the east end of the alley onto Ave I at 820 11th Street.  Administrator Clymer notified the property owner, Rex Crisman, and he has elected to have the matter before the Council for a determination.  Administrator Clymer provided pictures showing the obstruction.  The cherry tree and lilac bushes are on right-of-way.

 

Mr. Crisman said that in the seven years he has lived there he has removed all obstructions except the cherry tree.  The lilac bushes have been removed but continue to grow back.  He’d like to keep the tree.

 

Discussion was had and it was agreed that the lilac bushes would be removed completely and the cherry tree trimmed to try to improve the sight line.  Fruit trees are naturally short and pruning is not always successful so the tree may have to come out, too.

 

Mayor Hudson complemented Mr. Crisman on the work done to the property to date but driving areas must be clear to eliminate as much possibility of injury as possible.

 

Aden moved, Whiting seconded, approval of change Order #3 adjusting the cost of tree replacement with the Avenue I sewer replacement.  Roll call vote: Yea – Strauser, Whiting, Aden.  Nay – none.

 

Aden moved, Strauser seconded, to allow the annual Farmer’s Market to locate on Lake Avenue in front of the First State and Gothenburg State banks from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays from July 7 through September 30.  Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Whiting, Strauser, Aden.  Nay- none.

 

Kennedy moved, Strauser seconded approving Drawdown #4 on the 22nd Street paving project.  Payment of $2000 will be made to Dawson Area Development for grant administration.  Roll call vote: Yea – Aden, Whiting, Strauser, Kennedy.  Nay – none.

 

The city has budgeted $1000 donation to the Rotary for fireworks.  The special event insurance was $865.20.  Kennedy moved, Whiting seconded, to donate $134.80 to the Rotary.  Roll call vote: Yea – Strauser, Aden, whiting, Kennedy.  Nay – none.

 

Aden moved, Kennedy seconded, approving pay request #2 to Paulsen’s Inc for 2008 Street Improvements.  Payment of $219,003.98 will be made by registered warrant.  Roll call vote:  Whiting, Strauser, Kennedy, Aden.  Nays – none.

 

Kennedy moved, Strauser seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.  Roll call vote: Yea - Whiting, Kennedy, Aden, Strauser.  Nay – none.  The next regular meeting will be July 21 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

___________________________________                               _________________________________

Joyce Hudson, Mayor                                                                  Connie L. Dalrymple, City Clerk