City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2010

Alden City Council
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
April 21st, 2010

Mayor Fiscus called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with Mike Oliver, Bob Hoversten, Steve Hunt, Janaan Harding and Bill Ramspott present at roll.  Also present were the following; Lynn Bollinger for Hill Top Village Board and the Horizons Group, Gatlin Anderson, Chester Neubauer, Frank Cearley, Julie Heidt of Sinnott Insurance Agency, Dan Zoske and Lorrie Watts.

Consent Agenda: Bill Ramspott motioned to adopt the consent agenda, Steve Hunt seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

IFA Project Prom: Steve Hunt motioned to donate $275.00 to the IFA Project Prom Fund, Mike Oliver seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Julie Heidt/.Sinnott Insurance Agency presented medical insurance proposals for employees, Principal, United Healthcare and Wellmark Blue Cross/Blueshield were the companies presented.  Due to large premium increases the Council is looking into different companies and different benefit packages.  Wellmark Blue Cross/Blueshieldhas given an across the board increase to all customers of 14.9% and higher increases to some customers.  JulieHeidt informs council that renewal or changes deadline must be done by June 15th, 2010.

Veenstra & Kimm Invoices: Janaan Harding directed City Clerk Watts to get a report each month from the City Engineer on the work that has been completed on the Sewer Rehabilitation Project.  Steve Hunt motioned to approve the invoices of $5880.00 and $5224.65 for Veenstra & Kimm, Bill Ramspott seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Citywide Clean Up: Mike Oliver motioned to set the clean up for June 4th from 8:00 AM-7:00 PM and June 5th, 8:00-11:00 AM., Steve Hunt seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Properties/Mowing:  Janaan Harding motioned to have the City Clerk start the process for the sale of real property on the vacant lots that the City has acquired title, Bob Hoversten seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Gatlin Anderson was present to go over which lots he is to mow for the City.  Janaan Harding asked why the properties can not be mowed by City Maintenance Department. The City has two big mowers and two employees. Dan Zoske reports that it is a time issue.  Council discussed which properties would be mowed by Anderson and which would be mowed by the City employees.  Anderson will mow properties at the corner of East St/Pearl St, East St/Hardin St, 308 Water St, 411 Water St.  Bob Hoversten said he would mow the property on the corner of Washington St/Hardin St. near his home.  The City Maintenance Department is to mow the property on the corner of West St/Water St.  Bob Hoversten motioned approve the properties to be mowed by Anderson, Steve Hunt seconded the motion, Steve Hunt, Aye, Janaan Harding No, Bill Ramspott Aye, Mike Oliver Aye, and Bob Hoversten Aye.

Fire Hydrant/Hill Top Village: Lynn Bollinger was present on behalf of the Hill Top Village Board of Directors to request that a fire hydrant be installed closer to Hill Top Village.  The nearest hydrant is one block from the site. Dan Zoske reports that code requires a 6” water line would be needed to install a new hydrant.  Council directs the Tom Vanderloop to look into costs of hydrant & line installation.

Sidewalk Completion/Park:  Lynn Bollinger was also representing the Horizons Group to request that the City Council commit to $2250.00 of the $4500.00 it will take to complete the park sidewalk loop.  Mike Oliver motions toapproves $2250.00 towards the sidewalk completion, Janaan Harding seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Pool Update: Janaan Harding reports that an 8’ slide has been chosen for the pool, the bathhouse is under current renovation, the Council members have spent sometime looking at the condition of the pool facilities, HarleyMourlam of Mourlam Constuction has agreed to over see the work done by volunteers and will be sure everything is done correctly.  The Pool Committee has received a $10,000 grant from HCCEF, a grant from Diamond Vogel for paint, a grant for $2500 for benches from the Plastic Bags recycling

initiative. Marcella Hoversten has approached Cargill, Inc. and they have given $2500 with a possibility of $2500 more.  Alden Betterment Committee gave $1100.00 and there is a Spaghetti Dinner, Bake Sale and Silent Auction being held on May 2nd, from 11:00-1:30 P.M. at the Legion Building in Alden.  Harding also reports that the bricks will need to be power washed before they can be painted.  Mike Oliver volunteered to find a power washer with a PSI of 3000.

Public Input: Chester Neubauer would like to thank the City Maintenance Department for the outstanding snow removal job that was done this past winter.  Lynn Bollinger reports that volunteers cleaned the ditches along Grand Ave.  City Clerk Lorrie Watts reports on behalf of the Alden Library that Libby Caplan has been hired as the new Director of the library.  Janaan Harding asked City Clerk to ask Website manager to remove all old items from the site and update information.  Clerk is directed to contact Travis & Stephanie Nicolle about the building on the corner of Main Street/Water Street would like them to come to the council meeting and report progress.  Council directed Dan Zoske to speak with the City Engineer on Mill Street drainage.  Council directed City Clerk to send a letter to Evelyn Grimes in regards to the old Alden Motel sign.  They would like to see it removed.  Mayor Fiscus called for a motion to adjourn; Steve Hunt motioned, Bob Hoversten seconded and all voted aye.  Meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. 

                                                                        Signed:___________________________

                                                                                    Jeff Fiscus, Mayor

ATTEST;

______________________

Lorrie Watts, City Clerk