City of Keithsburg Council met April 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Henshaw opened the Meeting at 6:30 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Alderman Physically Present: Gary Fues, Bill Pinger, Donnie Cox, Ronnie Brock, Don Truitt and Lisa Wessels. Also Present: Treasurer-Cindy Diehl, City Clerk-Terri Gibson, Streets-George Lyle and WS-Bill Pinger.
Old Business:
• 1601 VanBuren Street Building: Lisa asked what the city was going to do with the building, it was put up for bids months ago and was not accepted due to all low bids. She suggested putting it back up for bids. Ronnie asked the council if anyone had been in the building as it needs a lot of work. Mayor Henshaw explained we would have to publish for 3 weeks, then must be approved by 5 board members. Gary mentioned some concerns with it being right against the levee. Lisa mentioned it would be nice to have it cleaned up and a business opened again. Lisa made motion to put the property up for bid (with an easement for levee maintenance) Donnie seconded. Gary-no; Bill-yes; Donnie-yes; Lisa-yes; Don-yes; and Ronnie-yes. Motion Carried.
MSA Engineers: Steve Haring and Chris Cooper were present and reported the following:
a. Wetland Mitigation Project: Steve explained H&H Construction had begun work on removing the mitigation levee during the week of March 12th. Grant funds will include a 3- year maintenance program under a warranty item.
b. Storm Sewer, Storm Pump, Flood Protection Project – Steve explained Valley Construction was awarded the bid in the amount of $630,848.76. For now, this excludes the floodgate near the boat club on 3rd Street and the pump station and out fall through the levee. These items will be added to the contractor’s work when permitting is completed. Due to the limitations on grant funds and issues with acquiring permits from IDOT the flood gate on 4th Street near ADM entrance will not be awarded. IDOT is preparing the permit package for the storm sewer crossing of 4th Street. Coordination with utilities is underway, and much of the power lines along Jackson Street will be relocated to accommodate the storm sewer construction.
c. Existing Levee Analysis: Steve explained the city (Ronnie and Bill) have acquired signatures from 17 of the 19 affected property owners on the north side of the Pope Creek levee. After all the signatures have been acquired the hydraulic analysis of the levee can be sent to IDNR, so that the permitting process may continue. Otherwise approximately 2 - 2 1⁄2 feet of the higher sections of the Pope Creek Levee will have to be removed, putting the community at a higher risk for flooding.
d. Water Tower Project: Chis mentioned presented a pay request from Phoenix Construction in the amount of $34,278.75. Gary made motion to authorize the payment; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes. He also asked the council about the position of the lettering for Keithsburg on the new water tower and explained it would cost $85.00 more per letter to have the wording on both sides of the tower for a total of $850.00. He would just have to do a contract change order. Ronnie made motion to accept; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes. The council agreed to have the wording placed on the NE and SW sides of the tower.
Public Comments: No comments
1. Motion to accept the minutes from prior meeting: Donnie made motion to accept; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
2. Motion to approve the cash receipts: Bill made motion to accept; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
3. Motion to approve the cash disbursements: Gary made motion to accept; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
4. Water and Sewer -5th & Main Street: Donovan Tippie would like to use the stop box on the FEMA lot west of their property. He is planning on building an RC racetrack on the corner lot which would require access to water for dust control. He would be paying a water bill during months of service. The council agreed to have George take care of this matter.
5. Streets and Sidewalks: George mentioned we are still accepting applications for the part-time summer help position.
6. Fire Department:
a. Fire Chief: Currently the fire department has 2 Assistant Fire Chiefs, but no Fire Chief.
Mayor Henshaw had asked City Attorney Spears if it is required by law that we have a Fire Chief. Spears couldn’t find a specific statutory requirement stipulating that a Fire Chief is required, however he mentioned that if there is no person responsible for the department, the city would open itself to potential liability in carrying out department procedures. Gary explained they have someone interested but nobody wants to take the Chief position because they don’t want to deal with our mayor. They do have someone interested in the position at this time and will know more later. He also explained that they had 33 members and now are down to 9. Bill explained it is mandatory that anyone driving the fire trucks from a fire must have a Class B license. Gary explained anyone driving the bigger trucks has a Class A license. Gary mentioned Gladstone fire department has a tanker with new pumps, tanks etc. but it wasn’t on the agenda but would like to discuss it next month. Mayor Henshaw explained he is trying to setup a training class regarding Opiods for the fire and police department and the fire department chairmen will not respond to his texts. Gary explained he didn’t need to respond to the mayor unless they have an issue. The fire department is to contact Gary and he will report to the mayor and city council. Mayor Henshaw has asked to be kept in the loop, Gary doesn’t want too. Ronnie explained last month when it was discussed the council agreed the chairmen was to keep the mayor updated. Gary explained not all council members agreed to that. Ronnie explained he wants him to report to the mayor. Gary explained if they have issues that aren’t being resolved then the chairman reports to the mayor and city council. Ronnie asked if they were having any issues and Gary replied “no”.
b. Dale Parker Application: Donnie made motion to accept; Lisa seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
c. Emergency Medical Responders (EMR): The council thanked Jeremy Malcom, Jamie Malcom, Kenny Joe Sargeant, Lisa Wessels and Racheal Malcom for all their hours of training and congratulated them on passing their EMR test.
7. Police:
a. Police Chief: Gary asked when the city was going to appoint a Police Chief. Mayor Henshaw explained he was the acting Chief of Police. Mayor Henshaw explained he had spoken with Officer Davis and he doesn’t feel qualified to be the Chief of Police.
b. Part-Time Police Officer Applications: Officer Davis had suggested the city hire someone for security to assist on holiday weekends. After much discussion the council decided to just advertise to accept applications for a part-time police officer. Donnie made a motion to advertise for part-time police officer; Gary seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
8. Campground:
a. Ice Machine Income: Ronnie Tharp had donated $100.00 for allowing him to place the ice machine at the campground in which he would like to do again this year. Gary made motion to allow him to put the ice machine back at the campground; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
b. Pop Machine: Ronnie made motion to accept if they make a donation, Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
c. Monthly Camping Rate for April: Donnie suggested pro-rating part of April for the monthly campers due to the weather. The campground committee will report back next month.
d. Playground Equipment: Ronnie thanked David Gibson for putting up the jungle gym at the campground. In addition, he thanked the following: Terri and George for helping, Hon Ready Mix for donating the concrete and Troy Kirgan for allowing the use of his tractor. He also explained we have a slide to install and thanked Donnie and Tammy for going and picking it up. Donnie suggested giving David a couple weekends of free camping. Council agreed.
9. Other business:
a. Entrance Door at the South Side of City Hall: Estimate from First Glass to install a door exactly as the front door is $3,950.00. Terri suggested paying out of Water Sewer because General Fund paid for the main entrance door. George explained it will be the same as front door except a little smaller. Gary made motion to accept and pay out of water sewer checking; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.
b. Cleanup Day: Ronnie explained the date for Spring Cleanup will be May 12, 2018. There will be a dumpster at the City Shed from around 6:00am until around 4:00pm or 5:00pm
Donnie made motion to adjourn, Lisa seconded, accepted by all.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c8c066_4bf2c6200148402fbc1cea003b5d24c2.pdf
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