City Council Meeting - October 19th, 2011

Alden City Council
Minutes of Meeting
October 19th, 2011

Mayor Fiscus called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with Bill Ramspott, Steve Hunt, Janaan Harding, Bob Hoversten and Mike Oliver present.  Also present was Deputy Sheriff J. D. Holmes, Justin Ites of the Times Citizen, John Schwenneker, Tom Vanderloop and Lorrie Watts.

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

Change Order #4 $40,646.35
The change order consisted of the sidewalk, curb, gutter and storm water intake improvements at the corner of Main Street and Water Street.  Janaan Harding motioned to approve Change Order #4, Steve Hunt seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alliant Energy Easement Agreement: The agreement consists of overhang easement with anchor and guy rights on the vacant land on 135th Street and G Avenue. New wires and poles will be installed on an area down Pearl Street and Main Ave. Bob Hoversten motioned to approve the easement, Steve Hunt seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Trick or Treat: Bob Hoversten motioned to set Trick or Treat for Monday, October 31st, from 6:00-8:00 PM, Bill Ramspott seconded the meeting and all present voted aye.  Mayor Fiscus also reported to the council that the Alden Volunteer Fire Department is having a Chili Supper in the Fire Station that evening and will be handing out reflective bags and candy to the children.  He explained this would be for a free will donation and is basically a community relations event.

Public Input: Council person Bob Hoversten and Janaan Harding asked the City Clerk if she had received any correspondence from Travis and Stephanie Nicolle on their building on the corner of Main Street and Water Street.  The clerk did not receive any contact from the Nicolles.  She was instructed to send another certified notice to them giving them until December 1st, 2011 to complete the replacement of the windows, doors and completion of the brick work needed on the exterior.  If no progress is made she was instructed to contact the City Attorney for further legal actions that can be taken.  Bill Ramspott asked if the City Clerk had received any reports from John Zoske on the televising of the homes on Bluff Street for foundation drain attachments.  She reports that she has not received any reports.  Tom Vanderloop stated that there was still one home left to televise and based on residence availability, has not been done.  Reports will be given when all have been televised.  

Janaan Harding reported to the Council on the Corner Beautification Project:  The City has received the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Living Roadways Grant for $4275.00.  This grant will be for trees, grasses, flowers, plants, bushes and mulch for the site.  The City is currently waiting for the official agreement to be sent.  The Keep Iowa Beautiful Grant will pay for the gazebo and that will be erected yet this fall.  The Build With Bags Grant will pay for the picnic tables and benches for the area.   The project has been given an extension until June 30th, 2012, due to the time for grant confirmation and it being late in the season for seeding and planting.  The ground needs to go through a freeze and thaw to provide optimal conditions for plant growth.  Harding requested that the maintenance department put up a long barricade at the drive to the site to keep people from driving on it.  She also requested that the lights be changed at the Veteran’s Memorial, there is a light out.  Vanderloop confirms that they will take care of it.  Council discussed a recent dog issue. Maintenance employee John Schwenneker was confronted by a pit bull/boxer mix in the City’s shed.  The City Clerk called the Sheriff’s Dept. for the third time on this particular dog running loose.  J.D. Holmes reports that a citation was issued recently.  He also stated that the Sheriff’s Department will not be cutting any slack to pet owners, Hubbard and Radcliffe have both had similar issues and citations will issued to anyone breaking the ordinances.  Mayor Fiscus called for a motion to adjourn, Bill Ramspott moved, Mike Oliver seconded the motion and all present voted aye.  Meeting adjourned at 7:38 P.M.

                                                            Signed___________________________________
Jeff Fiscus, Mayor

ATTEST;

____________________________
Lorrie Watts, City Clerk