The City Council of Larchwood met in regular session on January 8, 2007 at the Community Room with Mayor Leonard Vanden Bosch calling the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Council members present were Josh Feucht, Dean Sndyers, Mike Metzger, Betty Smith and Ted Underberg along with Tony DeSmet and Carla Manning.

The Larchwood Betterment Club, consisting of Michelle Tilstra, Stacia Poppens and Tracy Kramer requested $3000.00 for the Summer Recreation Program. Michelle Nelson, Larchwood Public Library Board President, presented the Annual Report 2005-2006 along with a proposed 2007-2008 budget. The budget request was for $35,818.00. Mayor Vanden Bosch thanked everyone for their time and filed the requests.

Galen Jackson, along with Glenn Anderson, gave a brief outline of what the Lyon County Consortium is doing with a quarterly report being developed for all entities. Mr. Jackson talked about the two major things businesses look for and they are a building and financial support. A community needs to have the ability to act quickly when a business is looking to relocate or start up. He also talked about the development of a capital group fund which would also provide loans. Mr. Anderson referred back to the study done by Augustana College called the Community and Economic Development for Larchwood, Iowa and the possibility of developing the same for Lyon County.

Darren Dubbelee informed the council the final step in rezoning property on Highway Nine has been completed and is now zoned C2-Highway Commercial. As this property is outside the City Limits, Mr. Dubbelde requested water service from the City of Larchwood. Discussion followed on several areas and if annexation was considered. Mr. Dubbledee thought it would be almost impossible at this time. City council agreed that the city would only service areas within the City Limits therefore denying service to this area.

Shannon Chase, business and cooperative specialist with the UDSA talked about several programs that are available such as Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants, Rural Business Enterprise Grant, Rural Business Opportunity Grant. Each is an individual grant or loan that meets a specific area. Everyone was given an information packet for their use.

Several items of correspondence were read. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented on motions from Underberg and Feucht, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg. The Financial statements were reviewed and placed on file on motions from Snyders and Metzger, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg. Revenue for December was as follows: General $ $35,367.70; Water $7093.52; Sewer $5,323.73; Electric $52,980.20; Road Use Tax $5,291.82 for a total of $106,056.97. Disbursements are as follows: General $14,379.95; Sewer $10,449.98; Water $18,268.15; Electric $42, 422, 86; Garbage $4,268.61; Road Use $558.29, TIF $1,380.01 for a total of $91,727.85. Tony DeSmet gave his maintenance report. Two water leaks have been repaired and water meter replacement has begun.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Underberg to approve the renewal license for Off Premise Beer/Wine for Rip. Inc. (Larchwood Food Center) carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg.

Motion by Sndyers and seconded by Feucht to approve the request in the amount of $500.00, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg.

Mayor Vanden Bosch appointed Judy Kerkvliet to the Larchwood Public Library Board of Trustees with Council approval.

Motion by Sndyers and seconded by Metzger to reappoint Leonard Vanden Bosch as representative with LaVonne Reinke as alternate, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Snyders and Underberg.

At this time, there will be no charge for non-profit announcements-community, church, school, fundraisers, open houses and birthday and anniversary greetings. No business ads will be allowed. Bring or mail your announcements to the City Office.

A complaint had been filed as alley on Block 6 has been blocked with equipment. A notice to remove will be sent to property owner. A complaint had been filed regarding junked vehicles, machinery and appliances being stored outside. A letter will be sent to owner for removal.

Motion by Metzger and seconded by Feucht to raise wages $1.00 per hour to Tony DeSmet and insurance to $275.00 per month, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Sndyers, Smith and Underberg. Motion by Underberg and seconded by Metzger to raise wages 3% to LaVonne Reinke and insurance to $275.00 per month, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg.

The following bills were presented for payment. Motion by Metzger and seconded by Smith to approve bills as presented, carried. Yes: Feucht, Metzger, Smith, Sndyers and Underberg.

Aramark Uniform-Supplies $102.75; DGR-Labor $75.00; The Shop-Materials $188.00; Alliance-Service $142.39; Countryside Auto-Labor $133.19; IPERS-Retirement $773.35; Iowa One Call-Labor $7.20; IA Dept of Commerce-Dues $81.87; Larchwood Mini Mart-Gas $132.81; Public Library-Allocation $3290.00; Larchwood Lumber-Supplies $67.83; Lyon Rural Electric-Labor, materials $15,460.30; New Century Press-Publication $79.18; Lyon Sioux Rural Water-Water $5345.00; Mangold-Tests $71.00; Meyer Electric-Materials $2888.66; Dakota Supply-materials $39.00; Office Depot-Supplies $14.09; Larchwood Food – Supplies $28.66; R & S Sanitation-Services $3281.26; Stateline Graphics-Publications $351.38; Security Financial-Insurance $118.00; Security Savings-Payroll $1650.04; Treasurer, State of IA-taxes $3034.34; Starr Ferraro-Refund $100.00; INDR-Permit $85.00; Lyon Rural Electric-Service $26,556.61; US Postal Office-Postage $191.40; Hoist-Repairs $143.00.

LaVonne Reinke, City Clerk