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, Lynn Henn, Jon Popp and Peg Uthe.

Absent: Chris Benda.

CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to approve the Minutes for January 20, 2003, Revenue and Expense Report for January 2003, Funds Report for January 2003, Agenda, Claims List, Interim Claims List and Receipt List for February 3, 2003 Motion carried.

OPEN FORUM: No Citizen requested to speak during the Open Forum.

APPOINTMENT OF DARIN ST. GERMAIN TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:

Moved by Henn, seconded by Uthe to approve the appointment of Darin St. Germain to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Motion Carried

APPROVAL FOR THE RENEWAL OF CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE AND SUNDAY SALES FOR THE OPEN FLAME: Moved by Uthe, seconded by Henn to approve the renewal of Class C Liquor License and Sunday Sales for the Open Flame. Motion Carried.

APPROVAL OF PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR 215 SCHOOL STREET: Moved by Henn seconded by Uthe to approve the property tax exemption for 215 School Street. Motion Carried.

DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY CONCERNING PENDING LITIGATION. (COUNCIL MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE § 21.5(1)(c).): Mayor Jaquis stated that we have come to item 5 on the agenda. This is an item to consider matters in litigation. It is the recommendation of the City Attorney who is present with us this evening to go into closed session to preserve the attorney client privilege. I would entertain a motion from the council to go into closed session to discuss matters presently in litigation with the City Attorney pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5 (1)(c).

Moved by Henn, seconded by Popp that the Council go into closed session at 7:05 p.m. for the purpose of considering advice from the City Attorney on a claim made against the city pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c). Motion Carried.

Moved by Uthe, seconded by Henn to end the closed session at 7:41 p.m. and resume to the regular meeting. Motion Carried.

Mayor Jaquis and Council resumed to the regular City Council meeting at 7:43 p.m. In closed session the Mayor and Council discussed the litigation with the City Attorney.

DISCUSSION OF ALAN HANSON’S CONTRACT: Council discussed with Alan Hanson his contract. Council member Allen expressed concern about features in Alan’s contract that did not clarify if Alan was a city employee or a private contractor. City Attorney, Frank Feilmeyer said he could draw up a part time employee contract for Alan to review.

DISCUSSION OF SALARIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004: Council member Allen said that he had contacted other communities to get an idea of what they were offering for a raise. He said that it varied between 2.5% up to 3.75%. Moved by Popp, seconded by Henn to propose a 3% salary increase. Motion Carried.

DISCUSSION OF 2003-2004 BUDGET: Mayor Jaquis and Council discussed and determined individual amounts on budget items for the 2003-2004 City budget.

DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEES: Council member Allen started this discussion out by informing Council that he has contacted a town that is about the same size in population as Gilbert, which uses City Council sub-committees. Craig reported the numerous sub-committees that this community has organized and the set up process. Council member Uthe said, sub-committees are the purpose of getting our business done and would like to see that the number of sub-committees organized would stay focused on getting city business done. Council member Popp, suggested that another possible solution to determine the number of committees would be to conform the number of sub-committees to the state report categories.

ADJOURN: Moved by Uthe, seconded by Henn to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried.