Council Meeting - October 2010

Committee and Board Reports – Chief Jones would like to purchase new computers for the office, Council Member Breckenridge has offered to help find the best suitable one’s for the department. Terry reported that the water mains on the northeast side of town have been installed and now Pirc Tobin is working down Commerce Street.

Monroe Recreation Park – Bleachers are up, Leroy Kinart headed up the project allowing Newton prisioners to come and put the bleachers together along with other misc. work that needed to be done at the park.   Next work day at the park will be November 6, 2010. Pendroy plans to meet with the little league members on the 28th of October to discuss how to handle tournaments and other events at the park.

Water Resource Project – City Administrator Breckenridge gave a presentation on the water resource and water system. Briles would like to see a decision made at the next meeting; the council can upgrade the city water treatment plant for $715,000 with the option of a new well at $500,000 totaling $1,215,000 million or go strictly to Central Iowa Rural Water.   Currently Central Iowa Rural Water contracts with the City of Newton for water. The City of Newton has 21 wells located 5 miles southwest of Newton, one jordan well and 20 other shallow wells 50 feet deep.   Newton treats an average of 4-5 million gallons a day and 67% of that is sold to Central Iowa Water.    The City of Newton’s well systems have been constructed above 100 year flood level.    The City of Monroe has a 40 year contract with the Central Iowa Water to purchase a million gallons per month and gets between 25 to 30% of the city’s monthly water from CIWA.   Jim LaPlant is confident that the City should not experience any lack of water in an emergency fire situation. Robby Wilson, Monroe Fire Chief; stated that his department would like to see the city upgrade the water treatment plant and stay independent along with others in the audience. Testing of all water is required to maintain appropriate chemical and mineral levels.   Hardness levels are higher through Central Iowa at 7-9 grains or 154 mg/liter or 4-6 grains or 68 mg/liter for the City of Monroe. Things to consider before making the decision at the October meeting - If the council decides to upgrade the existing plant there will continue to be well repairs and upkeep, chemicals, water testing, water distribution costs, DNR compliance issues, ongoing treatment plant maintenance, and future well replacements. If the council decides to utilize Central Iowa Water – scheduled yearly rate increases, water distribution costs, water testing. However, Central Iowa is willing to set rate increase limits for the next 30 years and to cap all city existing wells.

Water Main Project – Les Wolfe from Fox Engineering was in attendance asking the council for an extension on the completion date for the Water Main Project.   Council Member Briles moved and was seconded by Van Veen to grant an extension of completion date to November 15, 2010 to Pirc Tobin Construction for the 2010 Water Main Project. Motion carried unanimously. Briles moved and was seconded by Pendroy to approve pay request #4 for the amount of $83,152.55 to Pirc Tobin Construction. Motion carried unanimously.   A change order request for piping along Commerce Street will need to be approved at a later date. Fox Engineering is still waiting on a reply from the IDNR for approval to reduce the length of special pipe/gaskets.   Savings on the reduction of piping should be between $3,000 to $5,000.

Southside Alcohol Permit Renewal – Briles moved and was seconded by Council Member Vriezelaar to approve the request for renewal of the alcohol permit for Southside Food and Spirits. Motion carried unanimously.

Mike’s Lounge Alcohol Permit Renewal – Vriezelaar moved and was seconded by Pendroy to approve the request for renewal of the alcohol permit for Mike’s Lounge. Motion carried unanimously.

American Legion Cemetery Flag Memorial Request – The American Legion has asked permission to install a flag memorial at Silent City Cemetery. The memorial would be paid for and maintained by the American Legion. The City will not be obligated to any cement, poles or flag expense. Briles moved and was seconded by Pendroy to grant permission to the American Legion to install a flag memorial at Silent City Cemetery pending a signed contract with the American Legion. Motion carried unanimously.

Trick or Treat Night – Vriezelaar moved and was seconded by Briles to set Trick or Treat (beggars night) for October 30th from 6 to 8 pm. Motion carried unanimously.

Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program - The city was denied the last grant application, however; Simmering and Cory is willing to write a new grant at no charge providing the approval of the City Council. Van Veen moved and was seconded by Vriezelaar to participate in the Housing Rehabilitation Program and set aside $30,000 for funding and $1700 for survey costs. Motion carried unanimously. Pendroy moved and was seconded by Council Member Breckenridge to set the public hearing for the Housing Rehabilitation Program for November 8, 2010 at 7:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Investment Options – $200,000 taken from IPAIT to pay for the water main project before bond proceeds were done can now be reinvested as bond funding has been received.   IPAIT chose not to bid on the $200,000. The City received bids from Great Southern Bank and Monroe State Bank. The bids were the following: Great Southern Bank 6mth certificate of deposit was .55% APY, 12mth was .62% APY. Monroe State bids on certificates were: 6mth 1.05% APR and 12mth 1.40% APR. Briles moved and was seconded by Pendroy to purchase a $200,000 12 month certificate of deposit from Monroe State Bank at 1.41% APR.   Upon roll call vote, ayes – Briles, Pendroy, Vriezelaar. Breckenridge and Van Veen both abstained from voting. Motion carried.

Water Rate Increase – Pendroy moved and was seconded by Breckenridge to approve the third and final reading of ORDINANCENO. 240   AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA, 2007 BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO WATER RATES AND SERVICE. Be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Monroe, Iowa: Chapter 92, Section 92.02 as amended by Ordinances 108, 121, 125, 181, 202, 222, 234, and 236 pertaining to water rates on a quarterly basis within the City are repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof: 92.02 RATES FOR SERVICE. Water service shall be furnished at the following quarterly rates within the city: 1. Metered Water. Sales through meters installed on the premises shall be at the following rates: First 2,000 gallons @ $19.72 per 2000 gallons or part thereof. (Minimum) Next 8,000 gallons @ $5.68 per 1,000 gallons or part thereof. All Over 10,000 gallons @ $4.30 per 1,000 gallons or part thereof. 2. Bulk Sales. Sales in bulk to tank wagons shall be at the following rates: 100 gallons for fifty (50) cents. 92.03 RATES OUTSIDE THE CITY. Water service shall be provided any consumer located outside the corporate limits of the city which the city has agreed to serve at the following rates: First 2,000 gallons @ $23.90 per 2,000 gallons or part thereof (Minimum) Next 8,000 gallons @ $7.17 per 1,000 gallons or part thereof. All over 10,000 gallons @ $6.57 per 1,000 gallons or part thereof. No such consumer, however will be served unless they shall have signed a service contract agreeing to be bound by the ordinances, rules and regulations applying to water service established by the Council. SECTION 4. 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 5. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law. Passed by the Council the 11th day of October, 2010 and printed in the Monroe Legacy the 21st day of October 2010. Signed: Douglas P. Duinink, Mayor and attested by Kim K. Thomas, City Clerk

Sewer Rate Increase – Briles moved and was seconded by Van Veen to approve the third and final reading of ORDINANCE NO. 241 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA, 2007, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SEWER RENTAL RATES. Be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Monroe, Iowa: SECTION 1. Title III, Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 02 as amended by Ordinance 108, 121, 125, 204, and 223 pertaining to sewer rental rates is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof: 3-3.0502 RENTAL RATES. Each contributor shall pay sewer rental rate in the amount of eighty-five (85) per cent of the bill for water and water service attributable to the contributor for the property served. SECTION 2. 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 3. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law. Passed and approved this 11th day of October, 2010 and printed in the Monroe Legacy the 21st day of October, 2010. Signed: Douglas P. Duinink, Mayor and attested by Kim K. Thomas, City Clerk

Open Forum – Van Veen is concerned about speeding to and from the Recreation Park and suggested installing a speed limit sign. Sandy Breckenridge handed the Council information on financial planning through Piper Jaffery.

Pendroy moved and was seconded by Vriezelaar to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. A full copy of minutes may be seen at City Hall or www.monroeiowa50170.com.