City Council Special Meeting - July 28th, 2011

Alden City Council
Minutes of Special Meeting
July 28th, 2011

Mayor Fiscus called the meeting order at 12:00 PM. The following council members were present Steve Hunt, Janaan Harding, Bob Hoversten and Bill Ramspott.  Mike Oliver was absent.  Also present were Gene Jondall, Frank Cearley, Ashley Cearley, Pool Manager, Tom Vanderloop and Lorrie Watts.

Consent Agenda: Bill Ramspott motioned to approve, Bob Hoversten seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Public Hearing: Mayor Fiscus opened the Public Hearing at 12:00 PM calling for questions from anyone with regards to the taking action on the proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement, the City Clerk confirmed there were no written objections on file.  Gene Jondall asked if this would affect the utility rates. The City Clerk confirmed that it would affect the rates approximately $3.46 per month per household. Tom Vanderloop asks about the life of the project and Lorrie Watts confirms the life of the lining project per Engineer Tim Moreau’s statement that it had a 100 year life. There were no oral objections and Mayor Fiscus closed the public hearing at 12:08 PM.

Resolution 9-11A
After due consideration and discussion, Bill Ramspott introduced Resolution 9-11A Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement not to exceed $500,000.00 and moved its adoption, Steve Hunt seconded the motion and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Bob Hoversten, Janaan Harding, Bill Ramspott, and Steve Hunt. Mayor Fiscus declared the resolution adopted.

Resolution 9-11B
Steve Hunt introduced Resolution 9-11B General Obligation Sewer Improvement and Disbursement Agreement not to exceed $500,000.00 and motioned its adoption, Bill  Ramspott seconded the motion and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Bob Hoversten, Janaan Harding, Bill Ramspott and Steve Hunt. Mayor Fiscus declared the resolution 9-11B adopted.
Loan Percentage Split Sewer Revenue/General Obligation: Steve Hunt motioned to use and 30 year Revenue Sewer Loan, Bill Ramspott seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Bob Hoversten, Bill Ramspott, Janaan Harding, Steve Hunt.

Maintenance Department Employment: Tom Vanderloop reports that Dan Zoske terminated his employment with the City of Alden without two week notice.  Tom Vanderloop has scheduled his vacation and the City will need to make arrangements for Water, Wastewater Testing and Pump Reading and Pool Filter back washing and Gas Cylinder Change Out.  He explains the Council will also need to decide what they would like to do with the open maintenance position whether they would like to hire a part-time or full time position.  He explains that Water, Wastewater and CPO certification licenses will need to be obtained and are required by the IDNR to perform the functions of that position part-time or full-time. There are Iowa State Board certification tests that will need to be taken and the person would need to spend at least six months in apprenticeship before licenses and certifications are achieved. Janaan Harding states that she does not feel the City needs to hire a full-time person, Bob Hoversten states that Tom Vanderloop can retire in April 2012 and the City should be looking for a long term individual for the position, he continues that the City could be in the same position in another year and that would be a waste of time and money. Lorrie Watts states that once the individual passes certification and attains the proper licensing and the position is part-time, what keeps them working for the City if they find something somewhere else that is full-time.  Tom Vanderloop states that there are not enough people out there getting the certifications.  Steve Hunt states that the council really doesn’t know what the maintenance department does with their day and that no one has spent a day or week job shadowing these guys. Hunt asks about a job description and the clerk confirms the city has job descriptions and she would provide those to each council member.  Janaan Harding requested the Tom Vanderloop make a list of what his job requires weekly for council informational purposes. Vanderloop reported that he was making arrangements with Iowa Falls and Aplington to help with the testing and pool responsibilities while he was on vacation. City Clerk Watts suggested that the City Council think about the open position i.e. starting salary, part-time/full-time, benefits etc. for the newspaper ad and then a special meeting can be held after Tom Vanderloop returns from vacation. City Clerk Watts was instructed to have a letter drawn up for Dan Zoske for the final date of separation of employment and final payroll, comp-time and vacation balance due. Gene Jondall stated that he would help mow city properties.  Mayor Fiscus and Bob Hoversten also stated they would help mow while Vanderloop was gone.
Public Input:
Vanderloop asked when the pool was closing.   Pool Manager Ashley Cearley stated that lifeguards were going back to school between the 14th and 22nd of August and that some of the guards had football practice and volleyball practice the next two weeks. She also reported that she was having trouble filling the scheduled hours.  She suggested closing the pool on August 19th, 2011.  Janaan Harding commented that she felt that was too early and that that was very upsetting to her. Cearley stated that it is hard to find kids that are not involved in school activities, don’t have practice and want to work. 

Bill Ramspott stated that if we don’t have enough people to work, we need to close the pool for liability and safety reasons.  Cearley was instructed by the Council to find who can work and when.  Janaan Harding reported that she is waiting for bids from J&K Contracting for the corner lot, sidewalk, curb and gutter and rock/dirt work.
Bill Ramspott interjected that he felt with the cost of the sewer project, he was concerned about the cost to the City of the corner lot and that maybe it should be reevaluated and the money could be spent a better way and that was his opinion.   Harding stated that she had already received grants for the project and that money would have to be returned.  Tom Vanderloop states that if something was going to be done with the lot, now really is the time, if not now, when?!  Bob Hoversten stated that he thought the project was worthwhile and Steve Hunt agreed.  Mayor Fiscus called for a motion to adjourn, Steve Hunt motioned and Janaan Harding seconded and the motion carried.  Adjournment was at 1:18 PM.

                                                                        Signed_____________________________
Jeff Fiscus, Mayor

 

ATTEST;

_____________________________________
Lorrie Watts, City Clerk