City Council

CITY OF BRITT – BRITT IOWA – MARCH 2ND, 2021 The City Council of the City of Britt, Iowa met in pursuant to law and the rules of said Council in regular session at 7:00 o’clock P.M. the 2nd day of March 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arndorfer, and the following Council members were: PRESENT: Stacy Swenson, Curt Gast, Karrie Wallen, Paul Verbrugge and Chad Luecht ABSENT: None. The Mayor presented the agenda for approval. It was moved by Luecht and seconded by Wallen to approve the agenda as presented. A roll call vote was had which was as follows: Ayes: Swenson, Gast, Wallen, Verbrugge & Luecht Nays: None The motion carried. It was moved by Luecht and seconded by Wallen that the following items contained in the Consent Agenda be approved and adopted: All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with a roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time Council votes on the motion. Consent Agenda items may include any non-controversial subjects. a. Approve Minutes of the 02/16/2021 Council Meeting. b. Approve Minutes of the 02/22/2021 Budget Workshop. c. Claim list in the amount of $164,750.79. A roll call vote was had which was as follows: Ayes: Swenson, Gast, Wallen, Verbrugge & Luecht Nays: None The motion carried, and the Consent Agenda items were approved and adopted. Department head reports were given. “One Book – One Britt” - The library will begin distributing books to those interested in participating in the discussion in March. We will be reading “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. The book is a novel set-in southern Minnesota during the depression. The author will be joining the conversation with us. Our hope is that it helps the community explore our connections to our history, the land and each other. Discussion will be Friday, April 14, at 7:00 pm. The library board approved a new mission statement and a 5-year Strategic Plan. “The Britt Public Library provides a welcoming and safe place where people of all ages gather to learn, grow and create – intellectually, socially and as a community.” As part of our accreditation report, the ADA review noted a couple of deficiencies. We do need to have our entrance be automated as city hall is. The state accreditation report has been filed. The library board approved the budget for FY2021-2022 with a 3% increase to wages. Vance Hagen, Public Works Director, presented his report. The John Deere grapple bucket came in. They did repairs on the #4 plow truck and replaced the cutting edge on plow truck #6. They had a service tech from Wigen came in for repairs to the reverse osmosis pilot program. They replaced a meter plate for Dollar General and one resident. They had Murphy Equipment work on our loader due to freezing temperatures. The replaced radiator hoses on the generator at the WWTP. Snow was cleared off the streets and sand were sanded. The department attended a wastewater webinar. Water shutoffs were not done due to the freezing temps. Curt Smidt retired from the Public Works department after 32 years of service. Mark Anderson, Police Chief, reported they had 123 calls for service since the last meeting. Anderson made the recommendation to hire Ben Mehmen as the new police officer for Britt. He is uncertified and will be going to academy later this spring. It was moved by Luecht and seconded by Gast to approve the recommendation to hire Ben Mehmen as the new police officer for the City of Britt. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Jon Swenson, Fire Chief, reported they had 3 calls for service last month. They checked over equipment and had their SCBA fit test done as Baselines by WHAS. They now have 3 EMT’s and 1 Paramedic fit tested also for hazardous conditions (CO calls). Swenson asked if the council would also decide whether the fire station meeting room can begin to be rented out as well when we discuss the municipal room. Mike Boomgarden, Zoning Administrator, presented his report. He issued one building permit in February 2021 but talked to 6 residents will zoning questions. The City Administrator presented her report. Sawyer presented Ordinance No. 508 Amending the Code of the City of Britt, by Adding New Section 6-4-10. The changes refer to the amount of time a dumpster can be left on any residential property. It was moved by Gast and seconded by Luecht to approve Ordinance No. 508 Amending the Code of the City of Britt, by Adding New Section 6-4-10. A roll call vote was had which was as follows: Ayes: Swenson, Gast, Wallen, Verbrugge & Luecht Nays: None The motion carried. It was moved by Luecht and seconded Gast to forego the second and third reading and move the ordinance for adoption. A roll call vote was had which was as follows: Ayes: Gast & Luecht Nays: Swenson, Wallen, Verbrugge. The motion failed. The second reading will be presented at the March 16th, 2021 council meeting. Sawyer then presented Resolution No. 10-2021 Ordering Bids, Approving Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Notice to Bidder, Fixing Amount of Bidder’s Check, and Ordering Clerk to Publish Notice and form a Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Costs for the 150,000 Gallon Elevated Storage Tank Project. Set Public Hearing on the Contract Documents & Estimated Costs for Repair or Improvements. It was moved by Gast and seconded by Swenson to approve Resolution No. 10-2021 Ordering Bids, Approving Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Notice to Bidder, Fixing Amount of Bidder’s Check, and Ordering Clerk to Publish Notice and form a Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Costs for the 150,000 Gallon Elevated Storage Tank Project. Set Public Hearing on the Contract Documents & Estimated Costs for Repair or Improvements. Motion carried by unanimous vote. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Arndorfer presented his report. Arndorfer noted a scrivener’s error has been made in regard to the Planning & Zoning Board and the Board of Adjustment Commission. John Bowman was supposed to have been appointed to the Board of Adjustment to replace Shirley Smidt and Abbey Goodenow has been appointed to the Planning & Zoning Board.  Mayor Arndorfer has been approached by the President of BIDCO, asking if the city would be willing to forgive the balance of the revolving loan that is owed by Amy and David Trask of Hancock County Learning Center (HCLC). At this time, BIDCO is working with the daycare to assist them in separating the old non-profit and forming a new non-profit. This would allow the old debt tied to the previous owners to be separated so the new non-profit will have a fresh start. They are asking the City of Britt, Hancock County Economic Development (HCED) and BIDCO to forgive monies outstanding at this time. They have $11,650.65 remaining on their loan to be forgiven. HCED has also agreed to forgive the remaining balance owed to them as well as anything owed to BIDCO. The current owner has agreed if the items listed above are granted, they will release the business and allow a new non-profit to take over. While Arndorfer stated that we clearly do not want to make loan forgiveness a common practice, the HCLC provides an extremely valuable service to the community. It was moved by Wallen and seconded by Gast to forgive the remaining revolving loan fund balance owed by the Hancock County Learning Center. A vote was had which was as follows: Ayes: Gast & Wallen Nays: Verbrugge & Luecht Abstain: Swenson Mayor Arndorfer broke the tie with an affirmative vote. Motion carried. Finally, Arndorfer discussed the reopening of the city’s municipal room and the fire department hall for public rental. This was discussed and council felt it would be fine if we continued to require masks to be worn in the public buildings. With no further business it was moved by Luecht and seconded by Gast to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote. __________________________________ ______________________________________ Debra R. Sawyer, City Administrator/Clerk Ryan L. Arndorfer, Mayor VENDOR DESCRIPTION AMOUNT HACH MISC SUPPLIES $403.16 IPERS IPERS $6,285.86 STATE TREASURER STATE TAXES $1,508.00 BRITT FOOD CENTER LIBRARY- SUPPLIES $20.46 DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA DNTL/VISN-PRETX $490.95 SWENSON'S HARDWARE FEBRUARY CHARGES $675.69 RIEKENS PLUMBING & HEATIN FURNACE (RUUD IGNITOR) $130.66 THE IOWAN MAGAZINE LIBRARY MAGAZINE $24.00 HANCOCK CO TREASURER SUNSET RIDGE LOT 13 $2,487.00 BROWN SUPPLY INC MISC SUPPLIES $466.00 IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACAD TRULSON BASIC TRAINING $7,175.00 MOSQUITO CONTROL OF IOWA SPRAYING (MOSQUITOS) $5,300.00 AFLAC AFLAC-PRE-TAX $85.52 IMFOA ELIZABETH MEMBERSHIP $100.00 PRESTO-X-COMPANY COMMERCIAL PEST GENERAL MAINT $49.00 CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT LIBRARY BOOKS $272.70 MIDWEST TAPE LIBRARY- DVD $57.94 IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES ILLEA MENS WINTER PKG $414.70 TIME LIBRARY- MAGAZINE $48.10 HISCOCKS EXCAVATING WATER LINE REPAIR $571.50 MICRO MARKETING LIBRARY-AUDIO $322.95 IOWA OUTDOORS LIBRARY- MAGAZINE $15.00 ALLIED ENS LLC CLOUD STORAGE $1,938.65 H C SECONDARY ROADS SAND $2,589.30 JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL ANNUAL LEASE PAYMENT $57,247.55 IOWA DNR WTR DISTRIUTON & TRTMENT EXAM $60.00 AMERICAN PATCHWORK LIBRARY MAGAZINE $36.97 UHC HEALTH-PRE-TAX $7,207.25 BASE MEDICAL REIMB $41.68 AMAZON LIBRARY- BUILDING/PROGRAMS $538.50 ALLEN AUTO & TIRE REFUND/ OVERPAID ON LOAN $500.00 EFTPS FED/FICA TAX $4,750.87 A P CLEANING SERVICES CLEANING FIRE STATION/MUNICIPA $650.00 BOLTON & MENK FINAL DESIGN PHASE $31,947.50 INGRAM LIBRARY-BOOKS $768.67 GARNER VETERINARY CLINIC IMPOUNDING FEE $85.00 ABSOLUTE WASTE REMOVAL TRASH SERVICE $13,424.60 MAIN STREET SPECIALTIES POLICE WATCHGUARD $525.00 PAYROLL CHECKS PAYROLL CHECKS ON 02/22/2021 $14,299.30 PAYROLL CHECKS PAYROLL CHECKS ON 02/24/2021 $103.89 PAYROLL CHECKS PAYROLL CHECKS ON 02/26/2021 $1,131.87 CLAIMS TOTAL $164,750.79 GENERAL FUND $42,940.96 LIBRARY FUND $5,026.27 ROAD USE FUND $63,858.47 LOCAL OPTION TAX FUND $2,487.00 CAPITAL PROJ-WTP PROJECT FUND $32,305.66 WATER FUND $14,428.32 SEWER FUND $3,204.11 REVOLVING LOAN FUND $500.00