City Council

Clarinda City Council Minutes Wednesday, September 13, 2023 City Hall – 5 p.m. The Clarinda City Council met at City Hall on September 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Craig Hill presided over the meeting with the following Council Members present: Jeff McCall, Matt Ridge, and James Shore. Absent Austin Ascherl and Kaley Neal. Mayor Craig Hill Asked for all to recite the Pledge of Allegiance Adopt Agenda Motion by McCall to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Ridge. Vote was unanimous. Staff Announcements Police Chief Keith Brothers stated that he attended the Graduation ceremony at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on August 18, 2023 for Officers Jeffery Kane and Briar Hoyt. Brothers also mentioned that he and Manager McClarnon conducted oral interviews to fill the current vacancy with the Police Department. Library Director Andrew Hoppmann announced Bobbi Whitehill accepted the position for Youth Services Library Director and will begin on September 25th. Consent Agenda Councilor Shore made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of (a) August 9,2023 Regular Council Minutes and August 30,2023 Special Council Minutes (b) MJ’s Comeback LLC, Liquor License (c) August Warrants and August Financial Reports. Seconded by McCall. Vote was unanimous. Discussion Regarding Military Banners Colleen Strong, representing the Veterans Banners Program in Clarinda, is requesting permission from the council to allow Military Banners to be placed on the Boulevard light poles on Memorial Day thru Veterans Day. Mayor Hill expressed concerns about using the lamp posts on the Boulevards due to their historical significance and issues with liability. Councilor Shore and Councilor McCall expressed support for trying the project if volunteers are willing to install the banners and there is liability coverage. The council will decide on the matter at its next regular meeting this month when all five council members are present. Discussion/Motion regarding Cemetery Walk on October 7th and 8th at Clarinda Cemetery Trish Bergren, curator of the Nodaway Valley Historical Museum, sent a letter to the council requesting parking on the North side of Walnut Street and permission to stake a banner at the cemetery entrance informing the community of the upcoming Cemetery Walk on October 7th and 8th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motion by McCall to approve the Cemetery Walk on October 7th and 8th. Seconded by Shore. Vote was unanimous. Discussion Regarding Sidewalk Repair at 115 South 16th Street Josh Sunderman, owner of Sunderman Insurance at 115 South 16th Street, is requesting his driveway and sidewalk be repaired due to damage from the 16th street overlay project. Mayor Hill presented a letter from Omni Engineering that stated equipment was never in the driveway. The council asked if Sunderman could apply for the sidewalk matching program. The are no funds available this Fiscal Year, but the council could reinstate the program for the next Fiscal Year budget. Manager McClarnon stated that under the sidewalk matching program, the city would pay for one half of the replacement of the sidewalk but would not be responsible for the approach. Sunderman agreed to fix the driveway now and is willing to wait to fix the sidewalk to see if the matching sidewalk program is reinstated. Regarding Resolution for Two (2) Year Tax Abatement on Development Within the City-Wide Urban Revitalization District for Improvements at 911 South 17th Street #4 for Bonnie Sanders. Manager McClarnon stated that this item needs to be placed on the September 27 th agenda due to a conflict of interest with Council Member Jamie Shore. No action taken. Re-Appoint Steve Petty to Planning and Zoning Board Motion by McCall to Re-Appoint Steve Petty to Planning and Zoning Board. Seconded by Ridge. Vote was unanimous. Approve Change Order Number 1 to Bluffs Paving & Utility Co., Inc. for Phase 2 of the Community Recreation Trail Project in the amount of $(6,732.31) Motion by Ridge to Approve Change Order Number 1 to Bluffs Paving & Utility Co., Inc. for Phase 2 of the Community Recreation Trail Project in the amount of ($6,732.31). Seconded by Shore. Vote was unanimous. Approve Pay Request Number 4 to Bluffs Paving & Utility Co., Inc. for Phase 2 of the Community Recreation Trail Project in the amount of $5,952.77. Motion by McCall to Approve Pay Request Number 4 to Bluffs Paving & Utility Co., Inc. for Phase 2 of the Community Recreation Trail Project in the amount of $5,952.77. Seconded by Shore. Vote was unanimous. Approve Pay Request Number 1 to United Construction Services Corp. for Willow Street Improvements Project in the amount of $47,851.50. Motion by Ridge to Approve Pay Request Number 1 to United Construction Services Corp. for Willow Street Improvements Project in the amount of $47.851.50. Seconded by McCall. Vote was unanimous. Approve Final Invoice from Fine and Sons Home Builders in the amount of $51,560.00 for Chamber Upper Story Project. Motion by Shore to Approve Final Invoice from Fine and Sons Home Builders in the amount of $51,560.00 for Chamber Upper Story Project. Seconded by Ridge. Vote was unanimous. Discussion/Motion regarding property lease to FMTC at 101 North 15th Street Mayor Hill stated FMTC agreed to a review of the contract at 25 years. FMTC agreed to update and maintain the infrastructure and will pay for the electric utilities once the improvements are complete. Once complete, the monthly rent will decrease by $200.00 per month. Rent will increase annually on January 1st at the rate of 2% and then Base Rate and Annual Increase will be reviewed and re-negotiated at 25 years. Ridge commented that there was some language that was cleaned up in the agreement as well. Councilor McCall stated that he would rather see the agreement reviewed and re-negotiated at 10 years. Motion by Ridge to approve the property lease agreement with FMTC at 101 North 15th Street. Seconded by Shore. Vote was unanimous. Manager Communications Manager McClarnon stated the State Auditors finished and held the exit interview with Mayor Hill, Library Director Hoppmann and Manager McClarnon. The Street Department worked on replacing 4 strands of lights on the Canopy of Lights. McClarnon stated that the levels at the river were down to 23.7 cubic feet per second, and if the level reaches 15 cubic feet per second, water conservation goes into effect. Manager McClarnon stated that he will continue to monitor the river levels. Mayor Communications Mayor Hill stated the mural located at the back of the Clarinda Foundation building is completed. Mayor Hill announced the upcoming Craft Carnival and Band Jamboree events. Adjourn Motion by McCall to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Seconded by Ridge. Vote was unanimous. Mayor: Craig Hill Attest: Paula Gray