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 and Peg Uthe (arriving at 7:03 p.m.)

Absent: None

CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to approve the Minutes for March 3, 2003, Revised Revenue and Expense Report for February 2003, Revised Funds Report for February 2003, Revenue and Expense Report for March 2003, Funds Report for March 2003, Agenda, Claims List, Interim Claims List and Receipt List for April 7, 2003.

Council Member Popp inquired about the financial reports that were in the council packets. He wanted to know what financial report council would be receiving. Councilors asked the clerk why the revenue and expense report could not be organized in the same order as the State Financial Report.

Motion Carried.

OPEN FORUM: Paul Fitzgerald, Sheriff of Story County asked to speak to the council members. He said a representative from the Sheriff’s Office would be attending council meetings on a monthly basis to keep the communication open between the council and the communities they serve.

Sheriff Fitzgerald ask the Mayor and Council if there were any concerns or issues in the city that the Sheriff’s Office should be addressing.

Mayor Jaquis stated that he was not aware of any at this point.

No other citizen requested to speak at the Open Forum and no written comments were received.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON IMPROVEMENT TO STANLEY DRIVE: Kevin Doud property owner of 108 Stanley Drive started the discussion out by stating he would like to see something done to Stanley Drive. He said the water drains tot he middle of the street, which creates ponds and puddles of sitting water. Kevin suggested crowning the street and informed council of an estimate of $27,000 to $28,000 he received from Manatts to crown the street.

Kathy Slocum, 114 Stanley Drive, spoke about how the street always had a drainage problem due to not enough grade of the street to make the water run down hill and putting a crown on the street will not solve the drainage problem.

City Employee Gary Steel suggested tearing out the entire street.

Council Member Popp suggested cutting a slot out of the center of the street and drain the storm sewer down the center.

Mayor Jaquis suggested the city engineer take a look at the street.

Moved by Allen, seconded by Henn to have the city engineer estimate the cost and options to update Stanley Drive. Motion declared carried unanimously.

GENERAL DISCUSSION WITH GILBERT 125 ANNIVERSARY PLANNING GROUP: Mike Adams and Helen Gunderson discussed with council the role and involvement the city would have with the Gilbert 125 Anniversary celebration. Helen asked if the Gilbert 125 Anniversary can run under the city or if it needs to be established as it own non-profit organization. Council agreed that the city attorney should address this issue.

DISCUSSION OF REQUEST FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OF IOWA TROOPS’: Council agreed to help in supporting the Iowans called to duty. Mayor Jaquis said a special meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 10, 2003 and a resolution will be on the Agenda.

DISCUSSION ON CRACK SEALING ON MATHEWS DRIVE: The Mayor reported the county will be doing crack sealing on County Road E-23 and said the city could be included in the bid. Mayor Jaquis said the county would do more extensive work that would follow Iowa Department of Transportation regulations. The Mayor asked city employee Gary Steel to get a bid with Iowa Parking Lot Services a local business that has done city street work in the past.

DISCUSSION OF WEATHER WARNING SIREN: Mayor Jaquis informed council that the weather warning siren is not working. Council decided to have the siren taken down for evaluation.

APPROVAL OF TWO TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR PROPERTY AT 135 CHRISTIAN PETERSEN AND 212 2^nd STREET: Moved by Uthe, seconded by Henn to approve the tax exemption at 135 Christian Petersen and 212 2^nd Street. Motion declared carried unanimously.

DISCUSSION OF INSURANCE RENEWAL: Council discussed the city insurance renewal form from Knapp Tedesco. Mayor Jaquis said that he would like an appropriate committee to review it.

City Maintenance and Improvements Committee: Council member Henn said that they are still working on the EMC report from the insurance company to bring it into compliance.
Community Development and Activities Committee: Council member Henn said that he attended the first Gilbert 125 Anniversary meeting.
Community Services Liaison: Council member Uthe said she was glad the Sheriff’s Office would be attending council meetings once a month.
School District Liaison: Council member Benda said that he attended a school meeting where several teachers, parents and kids were present. The topics of dress code and discontinuing open lunch were discussed.

ADJOURN: Moved by Henn, seconded by Allen to adjourn at 8:43 p.m. Motion declared carried unanimously.