MINUTES

August 7, 2007

The City Council of Larchwood met in regular session on August 7, 2007 at 6:30 PM with Mayor Leonard Vanden Bosch calling the meeting to order with the following council members present: Mike Metzger, Betty Smith, Ted Underberg. Josh Feucht and Dean Snyders arrived later. Also present were Carla Manning, Joe Snyders, Steve Michael, Ron Kramer, Al Van Ash, Sheriff Blythe Bloemendaal, Bard Brown and Glenn Anderson.

Al Van Ash addressed the council about obtaining a Noise Ordinance for the future. The Council decided to check with other cities and to see what they had. Later Sheriff Blythe Bloemendaal was asked his opinion on the matter and he saw no need for one in the City of Larchwood as this Ordinance is basically meant for loud mufflers. He stated that if any loud music, such as a party is disturbing the peace then they could call the Sheriff’s Department and they would handle the situation.

Ron Kramer had the Clerk recite an email from a lawyer suggesting a conflict of interest in our Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Boards. He was given a letter from the City Attorney Lachlan Bonander stating that nowhere in the Iowa Code does it restrict membership to people on both boards.

Carla Manning brought forth a complaint signed by her and people from other businesses in the area about Brad Bauer’s downtown shop and suggested a privacy fence be put into place to fully enclose his items as they look disgraceful and make downtown look trashy. Metzger will take care of this matter.

Deputy Blythe Bloemendaal presented the Council with a Police Protection Contract for 2007/2008 which includes a 50 cent per person raise for a total of $17,730.00. Motion by Metzger, Seconded by Underberg to approve the contract.

County Supervisor Steve Michael was in attendance as was Glenn Anderson of the Lyon County Economic Development Board. Anderson encouraged Council Members to attend the LCEDB meetings and refer him to anyone whom they think could use his help. He stated that he has been working with Jim DeSmet, Mellissa and Darin Lafrenz and Novartis concerning their businesses and anyone who is interested in starting a business or expanding their business is welcome to give him a call. He also showed the Council a brochure that Augustana College had completed for Inwood to give to potential businesses and encouraged the City to start collecting data to put in our brochure.

The City acknowledges the Gary McKenny Family for their donation of a Ping Pong table to the Rec Center.

Correspondence was received from the Knights of Columbus for use of picnic tables at Ragbrai.

Building Permits were issued to Jennifer Joachim-Garage Addition, Don Eiesland-Deck and Driveway Addition, Peter Ter Wee-Deck, Neil Snyders-Fence, Larchwood Properties, LLC.-House, Larco Homes-House. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on motions from Underberg and Metzger, carried. Yes: Feucht, Smith, Snyders, Metzger and Underberg. The Financial Reports were reviewed and placed on file on motions from Snyders and Smith, carried. Yes: Feucht, Smith, Snyders, Metzger, Underberg. Revenue for the month is as follows: General $24,456.75 Water $9,108.04; Sewer $7,040.34; Electric $38,736.12, Garbage $4,487.89; Road Use $5,484.84 grand total $89,313.98. Expenditures are as follows: General $35,115.54; Water $8,279.85, Sewer $1,302.93, Electric $63,433.42, Garbage $4,235.59, Road Use $9,346.72, TIF $1,252.80 grand total $122,966.85.

The approval of minutes, financial reports and bills was signed by Mayor Vanden Bosch.

R&S Sanitation Contract Review

Motion by Metzger, Seconded by Underberg to approve Ordinance No. 58 Amending Title 11, Chapter 2 of the City of Larchwood, Relating to Residential Collection Charges., carried. Yes: Snyders, Metzger, Underberg, Smith; No: Feucht. The Mayor also decided that the City will not pay R&S for delinquent bills not paid to the City. The Clerk will keep track of them and pay R&S as they are paid to us.

Ordinance No. 57

Motion by Snyders, Second by Metzger to adopt Ordinance No. 57 Amending Title IV, Article 6.03 of the City of Larchwood, Pertaining to Stop Required, carried. Yes: Feucht, Snyders, Smith, Metzger, Underberg. Stop signs will be placed on Carter Street at Geiser Intersection.

Delinquent Utility Bills

The Mayor and City Council reviewed the status of delinquent utility bills and instructed the City Clerk to take action to file liens against these accounts, as this has been ongoing and needs to be handled.

Renewal

Motion by Underberg, Seconded by Smith to approve renewal of liquor license for SportsCenter, carried. Yes: Feucht, Smith, Snyders, Metzger and Underberg.

Resolution 2007-6

Council member Underberg introduced the following resolution entitles: "Resolution to Enter into a Private Redevelopment Agreement and a Minimum Assessment Agreement with JMAR, Inc." and moved its adoption, seconded by council member Smith, carried. Mayor Vanden Bosch called for a roll call vote which is as follows: Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Snyders, Smith, Underberg. Whereupon Mayor Vanden Bosch declared Resolution 2007-6 adopted and passed.

Building Permits

Council member Metzger suggested that we receive a more detailed sketch of building plans showing distances from the proposed building to front, side and back lot lines to provide a clearer picture of the site to the Council.

Appointment

Motion by Snyders, Second by Metzger to appoint Jean Leuthold as a Library Board Trustee, carried. Yes: Feucht, Smith, Underberg, Metzger, Snyders.

The City received a bid from Countryside Auto for a 2 sided sign for the Baseball and Softball Diamond to be constructed on Edgerley Street. Motion by Metzger, Second by Underberg to purchase.

The following bills were presented for payment. Motion by Metzger, Second by Smith to pay accordingly. Advertising Arts-Restroom Signs $134.32; Lachlan M Bonander-TIF & Policy $1117.70; Aramark-Mats $62.17; Davis Typewriter-supplies $61.42; D&L-cement softball $225.00; IDNR-dues $210.00; DRG-supplies $20.40; Farm Plan-parts $247.41; Midwest Sales-Park Equipment $3133.00; Alliance-Telephone $144.74; Ipers-Taxes $910.84; Iowa One Call $36.90; Larchwood Library-Allocation $3388.70; Lacey’s Chemical-Sanitation $110.00; Larchwood Lumber-supplies $620.84; Lyon REC $47,671.35; New Century Press-Publications $184.39; Lyon Sioux Rural Water $6186.85; Lyon County Economic Development-dues $7880.00; Dakota Supply-supplies $261.56; Office Depot-office supplies $198.44; Metzger Const-labor $679.99; RB Electric-labor $456.29; R&S Sanitation-Garbage $4235.59; Stateline Graphics-Publications $132.75; Sec Svgs-Taxes $2028.26; Campbell Supply-supplies $27.99; Treasurer State of IA-Tax $2066.49; Larchwood Quick Stop-fuel $286.25; Community Oil-Propane $1109.25; Tony DeSmet-Telephone, Tools $60.00; Mike Metzger-supplies $55.34; Leonard Vanden Bosch-salary, telephone $148.97, JD’s House of Trophies-plaque $25.88; Bob Doherty-alley maintenance $100.00.