Committee and Board Reports – Sergeant Pettyjohn reported that the MPD continues to have problems at night.  The Monroe Police Department has been unable to utilize the part time help because other towns are short handed also.  Van Veen asked about cutting down the hours being worked during the day.  Pettyjohn stressed that officer Foster and himself were doing what they can.  Public Works Director Buckingham stated that the sidewalk on Hwy 14 will be replaced by Two Rivers Coop once construction is completed.     

Recreation Park Update – Next Recreation Park Board meeting will be Saturday, September 17th at 8:00 a.m.  Ground breaking for the new concession stand has taken place. Van Veen reported that in the future there may be a need for additional soccer fields at the park.  

Casey’s Alcohol Permit Renewal –Council Member Briles moved and was seconded by Council Member Vriezelaar to approve the Class B and Sunday sales alcohol renewal permit for Casey’s General Store located at 509 S Monroe.   Motion carried unanimously.

Housing Rehabilitation Program Forms – Briles moved and was seconded by Van Veen to approve the  Equal Opportunity Policy Statement, Mayor’s Proclamation Regarding Policy on Excessive Force, and Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan forms for the 2011/2012 Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 

Hiring Process for Police Chief – Pendroy has recommended that the City use the Iowa Police Executive Forum much like the process that was done in 2008.  Louis Modlin has volunteered to help Pendroy with the process.   Pendroy would like interviews and candidate assessment center to take place in October and hopefully have someone hired by November.  Van Veen mentioned that she would like to have a few residents and business owners in the community be invited to a luncheon to meet the candidates.  Gilbert Caldwell, Monroe City Attorney; has mentioned he would also like to be involved in the hiring process.  Larry Diekema asked if after the assessment center and testing if no one is qualified for the position, will the process start over or will you just settle and hire someone so the process doesn’t have to be repeated.  The Council agreed that the process would be repeated if necessary.  Interviews will be done at the candidates own expense, however; mileage may be reimbursed for those Police Chiefs helping with the hiring process.   The Council was not opposed to having a special meeting if necessary.

Tree Removal at Silent City Cemetery – A large pine tree was hit by lightening in the cemetery and needs taken down.  Bids for removal were: Morris Tree Service $2,300.00 and Ankle High Tree Service at $2,150.00.  Breckenridge moved and was seconded by Pendroy to hire Ankle High Tree Service to take the damaged tree down at Silent City Cemetery for $2,150.00.  Motion carried unanimously.  Van Veen also stated that a few of the small trees in the Memorial Park have been damaged and the bark has been knocked off. Van Veen has been in contract with Morris Tree Service about the damage from the mowers.   Briles and Van Veen would like to continue to plant trees in the cemetery and would like to investigate what other cities do.  Al Buechler reminded the Council to water the trees before freezing.  Van Veen was going to see if Karen Brook from Tree’s Forever could take a look at the trees on the 15th before the Visioning Iowa meeting at City Hall.  Breckenridge suggested taking a few pictures of the damaged trees. 

Resolution for City Street Financial Report – Briles moved and was seconded by Pendroy to approve the City Street Financial Report for year ending June 30, 2011.  RESOLUTION NO. 19-2011. Motion carried unanimously.          

Ordinance for placement of family restrictions on City of Monroe Boards – Briles moved and was seconded by Vreizelaar to approve the second reading of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE  OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA, 2007, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF A FAMILY SERVING ON THE SAME BOARD OR COMMISSION.  Upon roll call vote, ayes – Briles, Vriezelaar, Breckenridge, Van Veen, nays – Pendroy.  Motion Carried. As per request from Briles at the August meeting the 3rd and final reading of the ordinance be also done at the September meeting.  Briles moved and was seconded by Van Veen to approve the 3rd and final reading of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA, 2007, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF A FAMILY SERVING ON THE SAME BOARD OR COMMISSION.  Upon roll call vote, ayes – Briles, Van Veen, Breckenridge, Vriezelaar, nays – Pendroy.  Motion carried.  BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Monroe, Iowa:   SECTION 1. SECTION MODIFIED. Section 22.03 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monroe, Iowa, 2007, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof: 22.03 QUALIFICATIONS OF TRUSTEES.  All resident members of the Board shall be bona fide citizens and residents of the City.  The nonresident member of the Board shall be a bona fide citizen and resident of the unincorporated County.  Members shall be over the age of eighteen (18) years.  No new board member shall be appointed who is from first degree consanguinity (parents and children, father or mother and child), or affinity (spouses) serving at the same time.  SECTION 2.  SECTION MODIFIED.  Section 23.01 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monroe, Iowa, 2007, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:  23.01 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.  The City Planning and Zoning Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Council.  The Commission members shall be residents of the City and shall not hold any elective office in the City government.  No new board member shall be appointed who is from first degree consanguinity (parents and children, father or mother and child), or affinity (spouses) serving at the same time.  SECTION 3.  SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.  If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.  SECTION 4.  WHEN EFFECTIVE.  This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.  ORDINANCE NO. 247  Signed: Douglas P. Duinink, Mayor - Attested by: Kim K. Thomas, City Clerk

Denny Bernholtz of Safe Building Compliance and Technology – Denny Bernholtz owner of what used to be known as The Building Inspectors has changed the name of his company to Safe Building Compliance and Technology and become a 501 C3 Company for grant funding purposes.  Denny attended the meeting to answer any questions that the Council or residents may have concerning building inspection and permits required.   Briles moved and was seconded by Pendroy to approve the new Service Agreement and Resolution with Safe Building Compliance and Technology.  Motion carried unanimously.  Pendroy moved and was seconded by Vriezelaar to approve the 1st reading of AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE A COMPLETE BUILDING CODE REGULATING THE ERECTION, CONSTRUCTION, ENLARGEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, MOVING, REMOVAL, CONVERSION, DEMOLITION, OCCUPANCY, EQUIPMENT, USE,  HEIGHT, AREA, AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS, COLLECTION OF FEES, AND PROVIDE PENALITIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF SAME.  This ordinance will follow the 2006 International Building Codes.  Upon roll call vote the 1st reading of the ordinance was approved unanimously.   

Fall Clean up Days – Pendroy moved and was seconded by Breckenridge to set fall clean up days for September 28, and 29th.  Motion carried unanimously.

Open Forum – Karen Johnson attended the meeting to thank the City for allowing the American Legion Auxiliary to hang the yellow ribbons around town.  Larry Diekema asked why the City doesn’t bill for fire calls.  Kim Thomas stated that the Fire Department has never wanted to do so, but would suggest it at budget time.  James Stewart attended the meeting to inquire about purchasing the alley along his mother’s property on Iowa Street.  The area will be researched and Kim Thomas will contact Mr. Stewart.  Don and Mary Vaske who are neighbors of Mrs. Stewart attended the meeting but are not interested in purchasing their half of the alley because they are getting ready to move.  Dave Clark asked why the Council and Police Department would not do anything with the property owner to the west of him on Marion Street.  Mr. Clark stated that when he was on the Council they had ordinances that wouldn’t allow his neighbor to do what he does.  Mr. Clark is upset that no one will do anything to Mr. Shepley.   Council Member Breckenridge agreed with Mr. Clark.  Jeff Shannon addressed some parking concerns along West Lincoln Street.  A group of PCM parents are planning activities for the week of Homecoming Sept 19th - 23rd.  A parade on Friday at 1:30 will start from the Baptist Church and go up Commerce Street, turning on Franklin past the Elementary School and up Washington to the City Square for a pep rally.  Kim Thomas asked permission to have a portable unit moved to the square.  The Mayor and Council had no problems with a portable unit being moved.

Vriezelaar moved and was seconded by Pendroy to adjourn at 8:20 P.M.  A full copy of minutes may be seen at the Monroe City Hall or www.monroeiowa50170.com.