November 7, 2007

The City Council of Larchwood held a Public Hearing to Amend the Urban Renewal Zone. Leonard Vanden Bosch called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Josh Feucht, Mike Metzger, Dean Snyders, Ted Underberg. Betty Smith arrived later. Also in attendance were Carla Manning, Julie Moser, Verdona Kelly and Sharon Meffert.

Ordinance 61

Council member Feucht made a motion that the rule requiring Ordinance No 61 to be dually and distinctly read on three different meetings be suspended in passing and adopting Ordinance No 61. Seconded by Snyders. Council member Snyders made a motion to adopt Ordinance No 61, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LARCHWOOD, IOWA. Second by Underberg. The Mayor called for a roll call vote: Aye: Feucht, Snyders, Metzger, Underberg.

Julie Moser addressed the Council on possibly rezoning commercial property that is currently residential housing. As a realtor it is hard to sell these properties to first time home buyers when zoned commercial. The Council asked the Clerk to send letters to all the property owners affected by this explaining the details. This will be brought to the Planning and Zoning Board.

The City received a bid from DRG Mechanical for a new furnace for the Library. The bid of $2252 was excepted on motion from Feucht, second by Underberg. DRG will also check all the City furnaces and report on their condition.

Tony DeSmet gave his maintenance report. The winterizing has been done. Water leak repaired in front of Deric Langenhorst’s house. The alley behind the Sports’ Center was graveled as was the Sport’s Loop road with Bob Doherty doing the grading. Snow fence was put up. Striping was completed on Main Street. Tony also checked with Midwest Alarm about updating cameras in the gym. Motion by Snyders, second by Metzger to approve 4 color cameras and DVR for $3500.00 installed. The TV also needs to be replaced and Metzger will purchase one. The NuStep machine needs a new belt and it has been ordered. Tony talked about water loss for the month and was instructed to contact Lyon Sioux Rural Water to try to solve this.

St Mary’s Church would like to purchase the nativity scene from the City and replace some of the missing pieces. Motion by Snyders, second by Smith to sell it for $5.

There was discussion on lighting the Christmas Tree on Main Street. Motion by Snyders, second by Underberg to hire REC to replace lights on tree.

The City Clerk has checked into updating the computer software and has found that Data Technologies has a great program that coordinates with all State of Iowa regulations.

Motion by Metzger, second by Smith to purchase the software package for $16,800.

A building permit was approved for Deric Kruse – Playhouse. Water Heater Rebates were issued to Ron Scholten, Larchwood Properties, Lyle Grotewold, UCC Parsonage, Eric Traviss, Nick Blau, and Tony DeSmet.

Financial Reports and Minutes from last month were reviewed and approved by motions from Snyders and Smith. Revenue for the month is as follows: General $91,097.30; Water $10,941.90; Sewer $6,619.90; Electric $39,437.24; Garbage $4,810.67; Road Use $5,993.62; Grand Total $158,900.63. Expenditures are as follows: General $15,740.64; Water $10,313.59; Electric $26,315.93; Garbage $4,589.80; Road Use $19,422.93; TIF $18,221.11; Sewer $6,132.84; Salary $5,421.78; Grand Total $106,158.62.

The following bills were presented for payment. Motion by Metzger, second by Underberg to pay accordingly: Lachlan Bonander- TIF Easements Policies $1,512.40; Nick Blau-Rebate $100.00; Aramark-Mats $124.34; Lyle Grotewold-Rebate $100.00; Hillyard-supplies $204.47; Alliance-Phone/Internet $154.68; Larchwood Lumber-supplies/dehumidifier $737.08; New Century Press-Legal $421.32; Lyon Sioux Rural Water-water/conn fee $5291.80; Larchwood Food Center-supplies $146.21; Stateline Graphics-legal $175.51; Tri State Ready Mix-supplies $1228.00; UCC Parsonage-Rebate $100.00; Larchwood Properties-Rebate $170.00; Ron Scholten-Rebate $170.00; Eric Traviss-Rebate $100.00; D&L Masonry-TIF $18,078.61; Davis Typewriter-copier $137.94; Office of Auditor-Filing Fee $175.00; D&L Masonry-Street Repair $70.00; DRG Mechanical-Furnace Repair $421.54; Bargen Inc-Crack Repair/Striping $16,599.52; Farm Plan-supplies $234.14; Graybar Electric-supplies $67.69; Countryside Auto-sign $40.00; Ipers-Retirement $556.08; Larchwood Mini Mart-Fuel $9.01; Larchwood Library-Allocation $3,388.70; Lyon Rec-electric $24,567.44; Lyon Rec-labor $1264.88; Leuthold-Sewer $8,279.06; Mangold-water test $30.00; Midwest Alarm-gym key $81.23; Mosquito Control of Iowa/service $3,280.00; Mid-States Repair-service $264.80; Meyer Electric-labor/supplies $78.35; Office Depot-supplies $274.93; US Postal Svc-postage $104.00; R&S Sanitation-Garbage/Recycle $4,589.80; FICA-taxes $1,807.21; Sheehan Mack-supplies $45.15; Campbell Supply-shop supplies $64.33; Truenorth Co-Life Ins $504.00; Treasurer State of Iowa-Sales Tax $2,080.51; Farmers Elevator-Fertilizer $26.75; East, Vander Woude & Co-Audit $950.00; Lanny Steen-sidewalk repair $100.00; Larchwood Quick Stop-fuel $628.02; Anthony DeSmet-phone/tools $60.00; Sandi DeSmet-mileage/supplies/meeting $66.98; Leonard Vanden Bosch/phone $15.00; Iowa Utilities Board-Assessment $445.00; Bob Doherty-maintenance $100.00; Innova Disc Golf-supplies $2,959.11.

Ordinance No 59

Ordinance No 59 Amending the Large Power Rate demand charge to $6.60 per KW was passed on motions from Underberg and Feucht.

Ordinance No 60

Ordinance No 60 Stop Required on Blaine and Holder Street was approved on motions by Snyders and Feucht.