Notice: This page includes an unofficial posting of the council minutes. It was developed by obtaining the official minutes from city hall and recreating a page that contains the same content and is as close in format as possible to the original minutes. However, any process such as this is susceptible  to errors, and we welcome people to point out discrepancies between the official minutes and the ones below so we can make corrections. 

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

ROLL CALL: Present: Craig Allen, Chris Benda, Lynn Henn, Jon Popp & Peg Uthe.

Absent: None

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Allen to approve the minutes for June 3, 2002, Revised Revenue and Expense report for May 2002, Funds List for May 2002, Agenda, Claims List and Interim Claims List for June 17, 2002. Motion declared carried unanimously.

   Jonathan Popp read the oath of office and was sworn in by Mayor Jaquis.

   Brady Clary with Troop 157 presented to the Mayor and Council an Eagle Scout project that would consist of putting fluorescent flags or poles on all of the fire hydrants in the city to easily locate during the winter when snow piles up. Council discussed this issue and informed Brady to contact Gary Steel, Public Works Superintendent for the city.

No other citizens requested to speak during the open forum.

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Allen to adopt Resolution 394, Accepting gift of land from Upstill Farms, L.C., and dedicating property to public use.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0
Resolution 394 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
   Mayor Jaquis and Council expressed their gratitude for this gift and everything Gene Upstill and his family has done for the City of Gilbert.

   David Dougherty representing WHKS was present to discuss with the Mayor and Council the drainage at Lions Park. Council reviewed a memo from WHKS with three solutions to improve the drainage problem. Mayor Jaquis asked Council to view the stream down at Lions Park and consider what option would work best. Council will then discuss this item at a future council meeting.

   Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to adopt Resolution 395, Finding necessary the creation of an Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption (property tax abatement) within the corporate limits of the City and exercising authority pursuant to Chapter 404 of the Code of Iowa.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0
Resolution 395 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Allen to open the Public Hearing for the Urban Revitalization Plan. Motion declared carried unanimously.

Helen Gunderson resident of Gilbert presented to Council a chart she had calculated and a memo on her own views of renewing or not to renew the tax abatement plan. Ms. Gunderson read some questions that she would like to see considered before the tax abatement plan goes into affect. She stated that she would like to see an over all planning process be thought through and offered to the public.

Rich Lepper, owner of Lepper Construction said that the tax abatement plan has been a real benefit for new homeowners as well as for the city in the last ten years. Rich states the plan does cover multi family homes (apartments) as well as single family.

Gene Upstill gave a historical perspective on the growth previous to 1992 when the first tax abatement plan went into affect. Gene states that ten to fifteen years before 1992 there were only two homes built in Gilbert. Around 1992, Rich Lepper Construction was willing to go out on a limb to construct new development and the city was willing at that time to provide some help and the tax abatement plan was one.

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Allen to close the Public Hearing for the Urban Revitalization Plan. Motion declared carried unanimously.

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Uthe to adopt Resolution 396, Approving an Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption Plan pursuant to section 404.2 of the Code of Iowa.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0
Resolution 396 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.

   Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance 281, An ordinance reaffirming and extending the Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption ordinance contained in Title VI, Chapter 8 of the Gilbert Municipal Code. Motion declared carried unanimously.

No citizen was present to speak at the Public Hearing.

   Moved by Henn, seconded by Uthe to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance 281. Motion declared carried unanimously.

   Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to approve the first reading of Ordinance 281, An ordinance reaffirming and extending the Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption ordinance contained in Title VI, Chapter 8 of the Gilbert Municipal Code. Motion declared carried unanimously.

   Mayor Jaquis and Council discussed banking policy.

   Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to adopt Resolution 393, Designating depository institution for public funds pursuant to chapter 12C of the Code of Iowa.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0
Resolution 393 declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.

   Moved by Allen, seconded by Uthe to adjourn at 8:21 p.m. Motion declared carried unanimously.