City Council Regular Meeting - January 14, 2010

Alden City Council
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
January 14, 2010

Mayor Fiscus called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with Janaan Harding, Mike Oliver, Bill Ramspott, Steve Hunt and Bob Hoversten present.  Also present were Chester Neubauer, Deputy J. D. Holmes, Chuck Steen, Frank Cearley, Don Rubendall, Lorrie Watts and Dan Zoske.

Consent Agenda: Mike Oliver motioned to adopt, Bill Ramspott seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Public Hearing: Mayor Fiscus opened the public hearing at 7:00 P.M. and asked for questions or input on the Uniform Dangerous Building Code.  There were no questions and Mayor Fiscus closed the public hearing at 7:01 P.M.  Bill Ramspott motioned to adopt the Uniform Dangerous Building Code Ordinance #146 into the City of Alden Code of Ordinances, Bob Hoversten seconded the motion and voting as follows; Mike Oliver, Steve Hunt, Janaan Harding, Bill Ramspott and Bob Hoversten voted aye.
Mike Oliver motioned to wave the second reading and put the Uniform Dangerous Building Code on the third and final reading, Steve Hunt seconded the motion and vote
as follows; Bill Ramspott, Bob Hoversten, Janaan Harding, Steve Hunt and Mike Oliver
voted aye.

Don Rubendall:  Don Rubendall was present to discuss the drainage issue on Mill Street.  He would like the council to look into the problem in the Spring.  His property is flooded when there is a hard rain.  The water is not running into the intakes that are on West Street and Mill Street.  The water runs into his yard, garage and basement.  It has become
costly to him.  Bob Hoversten suggests digging out on both sides of the street for a water way or make a catch basin to redirect the water flow. Rubendall states that he thinks the drainage is due to the height of the center of Mill Street.  There is a hump in the middle of the street and the water doesn’t flow over that obstruction.  Janaan Harding asks Dan Zoske if the maintenance department could check the intakes for blockage.  Bob Hoversten states that the water doesn’t reach the intakes.  Frank Cearley suggests that the
maintenance department clean all the grates and intakes in the City of leaves, sticks and debris.   The Council will have the engineer from Veenstra & Kimm look into the issue in the Spring.

Pool Renovation: Janaan Harding updated the council on the meeting held by the Horizon’s Group on January 13, 2010.  The group is planning to apply for the HCCEF Grant for the renovation of the Alden swimming pool.  Harding also mentioned she understood there was a fundraiser held 15 years ago for the slide and would like to see the money that was raised 15 years ago for the pool slide to be put back towards the pool.
Harding asked the City Clerk how much was raised.  City Clerk reports $2888.15 had been raised.  Steve Hunt comments that the Council should wait until there is a plan established and then decide how the City will participate. 

Bob Hoversten stated that the money was raised and sat for 12 years because the fundraising committee did not complete the project.  The money was used to help pay for the new park equipment in 2007. Hoversten also commented that the money did go to the benefit of the children in the community.  Harding then reported that the renovation may consist of a slide, basketball hoop, possibly gisers in the baby pool area and a possible refurbishing of the diving board system.  Dan Zoske reports that the current diving board is two years old and that the mechanical system of the board could use some work.  Harding stresses that once that grant money is received the work needs to be done.

HCCEF Grant:  Janaan Harding is looking for ideas to apply for this grant on behalf of the City.  The Council discussed improvements at the Legion and expansion of the Alden
Food Pantry.  Mike Oliver suggested the Council look at the building and see what needs to be done the most at this time.  Bob Hoversten comments that a plan needs to established before any work can be done and that the council would need some numbers. Harding also suggested some improvements to the Scout Building in the park.

Snow Removal Damage-Ahl Property:  City Maintenance Department damaged an intake during snow removal.  Dan Zoske confirms that Tom Vanderloop did hit the intake but also confirms the property owner was told that the intake needed to be moved further back on the property because it is currently located in the area that is considered parking.  It is 4’ from the edge of the street and sat up roughly 12” from the ground.  The Clerk asks who installed the intake, Zoske confirms that Mort’s installed it for the property owner. Bob Hoversten states that it is the property owner’s responsibility from the hook-up to the house.  Janaan Harding asked what the City’s deductible on the insurance was.  City Clerk states that it is $500.00.  The bill is $476.15. Ramspott motions to offer to pay 50% of the Roto Rooter Invoice and stipulate in the letter to the Ahl’s that the City of Alden will bear no further responsibility or liability for the intake and it should be moved due to the location of the intake in the parking.  Steve Hunt seconded the motion and the vote as follows; Mike Oliver aye, Bill Ramspott voted no, Bob Hoversten no, Steve Hunt aye and Janaan Harding aye.

Municipal Pipe Tool Contract: Tabled until further information can be provided by Tom Vanderloop.  The Council would like to know the necessity of it the first two years after the sewer lining project is complete.

Legion Rental: Janaan Harding states that she feels the rental is too high.  The rental is $300.00 plus a fee to the cleaning service of $75.00. Bob Hoversten states that the reason it was set that high is to offset some of the expenses and the $12,000.00 the City has put into the building, i.e. new carpet, painting, wall paper, repairs and a new commercial stove.  The rental is based on the service of liquor at the Legion. It has had damages done
in prior years because of parties serving alcohol.  Receptions/parties/graduations agreeing to not serve alcohol pay $100.00.  No motions were made to change the rental fees.

Public Input:  Frank Cearley asked what grants for the pool have been applied for.  Janaan Harding reports that a $2,500.00 Theisens grant has been awarded for the slide,
a Home Depot application for $3,000.00 will be applied for, HCCEF Grant for $10,000.00 and possibly one more that Horizons is looking into.

Steve Hunt motions to adjourn, Bill Ramspott seconded the motion and all voted aye. Mayor Fiscus adjourned the meeting at 8:10 P.M.

                                                                Signed__________________________________
Jeff Fiscus, Mayor

 

ATTEST;

___________________________________
Lorrie Watts, City Clerk