MINUTES OF THE GILBERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING

GILBERT, IOWA

CALLED TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M. at City Hall, by Mayor Bob Jaquis

ROLL CALL: Present: Chris Benda, Helen Gunderson, Lynn Henn, Peg Uthe & Fred Vogtlin

Absent: None

  Moved by Vogtlin, seconded by Uthe to approve the minutes for November 12, 2001, a revised revenue and expense report for October 2001, funds report for October 2001, revenue and expense report for November 2001 and the agenda, claims list and interim claims list for December 3, 2001.

Council Member Henn had some concerns about the claims list, funds list, revenue and expense report and the petty cash claims list.

Council Member Vogtlin withdraws his motion.

Moved by Henn seconded by Vogtlin to approve the consent calendar pending completion of corrections and other changes that Henn had noted and the council discussed. Motion declared carried unanimously.

Hal Briley, building inspector for Gilbert, discussed disconnection of water and sewer lines for an abandoned house with the Council and Mayor.

Briley also asked if the Council had decided to change the City’s ordinance regarding fences. Mayor Jaquis stated that the City had decided against changing the ordinance.

Gary Foster from the Story County Sheriff’s Department spoke during the open forum. He asked if the Council had any questions or concerns.

No other citizens requested to speak during the open forum.

Under agenda, item #2 regarding a new street in the Village North Sixth Addition. Moved by Uthe, seconded by Vogtlin to approve naming the street “Upstill Street” pending approval of the Upstill’s and “Hawthorne Street” if not. Motion declared carried unanimously.

Under agenda item #3 regarding WHKS to conduct a study to locate and define general infrastructure items and cost for an additional domestic water supply well for the City. Move by Henn, seconded by Uthe to adopt Resolution 379, approving the contract with WHKS.

Roll Call Vote: 5-0

Resolution 379 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.

Under agenda, item #4 regarding replacement valve for the Water Plant. Moved by Vogtlin, seconded by Henn to adopt Resolution 380, approving the contract with U.S. Filter.

Roll Call Vote: 5-0

Resolution 380 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.

Mayor Jaquis and the Council discussed the contract submitted by AC/DC to the City for snow removal services. Mayor Jaquis said that the sidewalk at Bandford Park would need to be included in the contract.

Moved by Uthe, seconded by Henn to adopt Resolution 381, approving the contract with AC/DC.

Roll Call Vote: 5-0

Resolution 381 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.

In his report on the Clerk’s well-being, Mayor Pro Tem Henn said, he had, “a brief discussion with the City Clerk, and she had indicated that she does feel some stress from the job.” He also said he had, “gone back and looked at her leave time and that no extensive amount of leave time has been utilized.”

Mayor Jaquis discussed dates for a joint meeting in January with the Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission and Sue Cosner from PMRG who has contracted to help the City complete its comprehensive plan. Mayor Jaquis said that he would check with Yvonne Wannemuehler, the Planning and Zoning chairperson to see if January 10, 2002 would be a feasible date.

Mayor Jaquis announced that there would be no other council meeting this month.

The Council decided to hold its next regular meetings on January 7 and 21, 2002.

Gunderson asked for a preliminary discussion regarding agenda items for the regular meetings in January, including such items as the installation of newly elected officials, the re-appointment of the clerk, and the budget process.

Gunderson also requested the Council invite Frank Feilmeyer, attorney for the City, to attend a January meeting and present a primer on how the Council could begin developing a set of operating procedures, especially ones for building agendas for meetings.

Mayor Jaquis said Gunderson could make her request during general discussion at the end of the January 7 meeting when a new Council would be constituted.

Mayor Jaquis discussed employee benefits. He informed the Council that the cost for health benefits would be increasing 12 percent. Mayor Jaquis said that he would check the option for “no changes” on the form that he needs to send back to the insurance company. The Council also discussed the option of having employees pay a percentage of their health insurance premiums in the future.

During general discussion, Mayor Jaquis on behalf of the City and himself thanked Council Member Fred Vogtlin for all the services he has provided to the City.

 Council Member Henn also thanked Fred Vogtlin for all his years of service

Council Member Benda also thanked Fred Vogtlin and said he will miss Vogtlin. Benda also asked about the automation at the water plant. Mayor Jaquis said that the City needs to tackle the well first and do the automation with our capital improvement plan.

Council Member Uthe said that she, too, will miss Fred Vogtlin.

Council Member Gunderson also thanked Fred Vogtlin for his commitment to the City.

Council Member Vogtlin in completing his service as Council Member brought up items that he would have liked to see implemented, but that have not been accomplished. Vogtlin would like to see the city purchase automatic meter readers and see that a railing by the box culvert on Mathews Drive be constructed for safety reasons. Vogtlin also voiced his concern as to whom should visit the City Attorney.

Moved by Vogtlin, seconded by Henn to adjourn at 7:52 p.m. Motion declared carried unanimously.