Discussions
- No communication from citizens and no follow-up from council members.
- Building Permit - None Presented.
- Mayor Lange said he spoke to the city attorney about the meals on the last bill for the two attorney’s that came out of Des Moines at council’s request to attend the EMS meeting. ALange said that wasn’t in the agreement he saw to allow for a charge for meals and NLange said we paid the mileage for them. Kristof said they could have called in. Mayor Lange will ask the attorney to explain council’s position and request the charge be removed.
- The City Clerk said WGML are requesting a one-time payment of $3,000 due to operating cost increases. They are also requesting a meeting and agreement to pay $100.00 extra per month, beginning in July 2025. The city clerk, NLange, Kirk Steinke will attend the WGML meeting on January 22 @ 6pm at Wheatland City Hall.
- Mayor Lange and the City Clerk discussed the draft Ordinance # 841 - Customer Guarantee Deposits. Council approved the document as presented, and it will be added to the February 3, meeting for the first reading.
- The City Clerk covered the draft Police Chief Ordinance with council. Council has no changes at this time but will ask the new police chief for input once hired before the first reading of the ordinance.
- ALange discussed the employee review process. He suggested a board to review each employee. The board will consist of ALange, DLange and Poppe.
- Mayor Lange and the City Clerk discussed budget workshop dates. January 14th @ 5:30pm was decided on
- Nuisances: None.
- Councilwoman Kim Jones announced her resignation to council, which will be January 31, 2025, for personal reasons. Kim has been on council for 9 years.
Motions
- To approve the agenda as presented.Ayes: AllMover: A. KristofSeconder: A. Lange
- To approve the minutes from December 2, 2024.Ayes: AllMover: A. KristofSeconder: C. Poppe
- Matt Wildman discussed Phase II of the Harding sewer project with council. A discussion on two options occurred along with backfill costs which are not included in documents provided to council currently as backfill is often considered poor with lots of sand and will require council input at a later date. 90 percent of the project is currently designed. Matt shared the anticipated costs, which he thought could come in below what he presented to council, but costs would definitely not exceed the quoted amounts with the exception of any change orders. Motioned for Mayor Lange to sign the Professional Service Agreement for Harding Avenue.Ayes: AllMover: A. KristofSeconder: A. Lange
- Mayor Lange asked council to approve him to sign the 28E Agreement for the Park. Motioned for the mayor to sign the 28E agreement.Ayes: AllMover: A. KristofSeconder: C. Poppe
- ALange addressed council on the police vehicle for $24,500. He also discussed the logo costs for the vehicle of approximately $1500 - $2500. Motioned for the mayor to sign the purchase agreement and once all changes are completed for the vehicle that the clerk is authorized to make the payment in the amount of $24,500. The logo will be a separate charge at a later date, but council approved this extra expense.Ayes: AllMover: C. PoppeSeconder: N. Lange
- To approve the council bills and to add one late submitted bill for JJJ Enterprise. A request from the mayor to bill back one generator maintenance cost to EMS on the farm bill was requested.Ayes: AllMover: C. PoppeSeconder: N. Lange
- Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.Ayes: AllMover: A. LangeSeconder: A. Kristof
Reports
- The City Clerk covered the cash report, function report and utility billing report with council and submitted a retirement resignation letter to the mayor and council. The clerk said she will ensure that she completes as much as possible of her monthly duties to ensure a smooth handover for a new clerk.
- Public Works Director Steinke reported on the Manganese issue to council along with the planned study by the IDNR to help the city resolve the issue. We will be adding additional testing and the city signed up for the initial free PFAS testing. Public Works Director Steinke also discussed a snowplow repair, which HD Equipment will be doing.
- Mayor Lange reported 14 rescue calls and 1 fire call. He added the library report is in your council pack for review.
Other Minute Items
- Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
- Mayor had no city or community updates to provide.
Officials Present
- Derrick Lange, Mayor
- Austin Kristof, Councilman
- Austin Lange, Councilman
- Nick Lange, Councilman
- Cody Poppe, Councilman
- Kim Jones, Councilwoman
- Sarah Carlson, City Clerk
Visitors
Sue Hall, Matt Wildman, Braydon and Jeremy Wink, August Harms.