Luzerne City Council Meetings All interested citizens are invited to attend the City Council meeting, the first Monday of each month, 7 PM at the City Fire Station.
CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - Monday, MAY 2, 2011 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Luzerne City Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Jeani Brandt, Dwight Glinsmann, Kelly Kendall, Lorin Potter and Ryan Rupp were present, and interested citizen Fran Potter.
The mayor opened the public hearing for the 2010-2011 budget amendment. Council discussion followed.
Glinsmann moved to pass Resolution #356, approving the FY2010-2011 budget amendment, seconded by Brandt. Roll call vote- all ayes, motion carried. The mayor then closed the public hearing.
Kendall moved to approve the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Rupp moved to approve the following bills:
| Waste Management of Iowa | $326.87 |
| Poweshiek Water | 35.00 |
| Alliant Energy - meter $62.14, street lights $214.10 | 276.24 |
| Coon Creek phone | 40.02 |
| Jan Kendall - phone, copying, & garbage statement purchase | 10.29 |
| John Brandt - reimbursement: chicken wire- maintenance shed foundation | 25.40 |
Kendall seconded the motion. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the Blue Star Memorial and the merry go round installations. The mayor reported the rock for the Blue Star Memorial plaque and the merry go round have both arrived. The mayor stated it will take six people assemble the merry go round, and said the plan is to put it south of the existing play set. Brandt plans to meet with the park committee soon. The council will plan a dedication time for the plaque. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on Waste Management's contract renewal with Luzerne. The clerk reported the requested changes had been made to a new contract. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to accept the revised Waste Management contract, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on city insurance costs. The mayor reported he has called several real estate appraisers to get a cost estimate for an appraisal for the city's properties. The mayor related that since the city has paid its premium for another year, there is no time constraint to have the appraisal done. The item will be on a future agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on passing Ordinance #325- an ordinance changing the regular meeting day of the Luzerne City Council to the first Thursday of the month. Council discussion followed.
Glinsmann moved to adopt Ordinance #325and waive the second and third readings, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will post the ordinance to make it official.
The mayor opened discussion on IMWCA (worker's compensation) requirements for the fire department. The clerk reported the city had received an email and a letter, both stating the fire department need to update its bloodborne pathogens exposure control procedures, update respiratory protection procedures, and schedule physicals for firefighters every five years. The mayor stated the fire chief plans to have these items completed by the deadline of June 6, 2011.
The mayor opened discussion on L. L. Pelling's seal coat bid for 2011, and other street concerns. The council reviewed Pelling's bid. Council discussion followed. Glinsmann moved to have a representative from L. L. Pelling examine the identified street areas in the bid with two representatives from the city to decide what named areas have the greatest need for seal coating, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will contact a Pelling representative. On another note, the council discussed the condition of West Iowa Street. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to have the clerk contact the Benton County Engineer to alert him that West Iowa Street needs to be resurfaced this year, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will contact the county engineer, too.
The mayor opened discussion on a price increase for solid waste and recycling pick-up. The clerk reported that currently the city pays approximately $14.50 to Waste Management per customer per month, and bills the customer $13.00 per month for solid waste pick-up. The clerk also reported the city has always absorbed the cost of the county landfill fee, which is charged per capita, a fee that other cities include in the price of solid waste pick-up. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to raise the solid waste and recycling pick-up to $15.00 per month, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on allowing the t-ball league to use the park for May and June. Council discussion followed.
Glinsmann moved to allow the t-ball league to use the park in May and June, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Under further business, the International Cemetery Board is going to cut sod on Saturday, May 7th, and they are offering it to the city to put around the maintenance building. Two council members have received nuisance complaints. The clerk will contact the city attorney.
With no further business on the agenda, Potter moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 PM, seconded by Brandt. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Clerk
CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - APRIL 4, 2011 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Luzerne Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Jeani Brandt, Dwight Glinsmann, Lorin Potter, and Ryan Rupp were present. Also present were Ryan White, representing Waste Management of Iowa, and interested citizen Fran Potter.
Glinsmann moved to approve the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Brandt moved to permit the following bills, seconded by Rupp:
| Waste Management of Iowa - March pick-up | $323.01 |
| | Poweshiek Water | 35.00 |
| | Alliant Energy - meter $68.90, street lights $217.71 | 286.61 |
| | Coon Creek - phone | 40.02 |
| | Jan Kendal - phone and copying expenses | 9.32 |
| | Drahn Insurance - clerk bonding | 100.00 |
| | Drahn Insurance - commercial insurance $1593, fire trucks $650 | 2,193.00 |
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Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the Blue Star Memorial and the park merry- go- round installations. Brandt reported the merry -go-round is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, April 7th. The clerk reported that Brad Sievers plans to bring the rock for the Blue Star Memorial plaque soon. Brandt asked that, in the interim, the rock be placed west of the flag pole until permanent locations have been decided upon by the park board for the rock and the merry-go-round.
The mayor opened discussion on passing Resolution #355 to raise the price of park mowing per time. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to pass Resolution #355, approving the price increase to $70.00 per mowing, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Ryan White was present to discuss Waste Management's contract renewal with Luzerne. The clerk reported she had discussed the proposed contract with Jennifer Fencl, the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Environmental Services Director. The clerk stated Ms. Fencl had raised two concerns, with her first suggestion being to change the contract language "renew automatically" to "a three year contract," with a two or three year renewal clause. Ms. Fencl's other concern was with the fuel adjustment section, which states that a fuel surcharge shall be applied to the monthly fee and will be adjusted on a monthly basis, which is what the city's current contract states. The mayor asked Mr. White to change the contract language to a three year contract, and have the corrected contract ready for the May regular council meeting. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on setting a public hearing date for the 2010-2011 budget amendment. Council discussion followed.
Glinsmann moved to set the public hearing date for May 2, 2011, (our regular meeting) seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on city insurance costs. The mayor reported that Mark Drahn, of Drahn Insurance, encouraged the city to increase its replacement cost to $315,723.00, after having an appraiser inspect the city's property. The current replacement value is $180,000. The premium increase amount would be extended over a four year period. Council discussion followed.
Potter moved to continue with last year's rate of replacement cost with the intention of having the city's property assessed in the near future, seconded by Glinsmann. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on changing the council's regular meeting night. The mayor stated he has had a conflict the council meetings occurring on the first Monday night of the month because an organization to which he has belonged for several years meets on the same night, and asked whether the council would consider conducting the council meeting on a different night during the month. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to change the regular meeting night to the first Thursday of the month, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will consult with the city attorney to write a new ordinance with the aforementioned change. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
Under further business, the mayor reported the indentations and eruptions on Exchange Street have leveled out. The mayor also related he had sold a load of metal from the former maintenance shed to Roggentien Salvage in Marengo last week. The mayor reported there has been a groundhog digging under the new maintenance shed, and that he had placed chicken wire on the north side of the building, having dug down several inches to put it into position. The mayor reported the city may be able to obtain some sod to put around the shed from a project the International Cemetery is planning in the near future. The mayor related a sheriff's deputy had advised the party who discharged a firearm within the city limits last month that the activity was illegal.
With no further business on the agenda, Glinsmann moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Clerk
CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Luzerne City Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Jeani Brandt, Kelly Kendall, Lorin Potter and Ryan Rupp was present, as was interested citizen Fran Potter. Council member Dwight Glinsmann was absent.
The mayor opened the public hearing for the FY2011-2012 budget. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to pass Resolution #353, accepting the 2011-2012 budget, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The mayor then closed the public hearing.
The mayor opened the public hearing for the FY 2010-2011 budget amendment. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to pass Resolution #354, to accept the 2010-2011 budget amendment, seconded by Rupp. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The mayor then closed the public hearing.
Potter moved to approve the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Brandt moved to permit the following bills, seconded by Rupp:
| Waste Management of Iowa - February pick-up | $321.49 |
| | Poweshiek Water | 35.00 |
| | Alliant Energy - meter $82.68, street lights $217.57 | 300.25 |
| | Coon Creek - phone | 40.06 |
| | Jan Kendall - phone & copying expenses | 5.45 |
| | Benton County Engineer -1/4 year landfill use | 577.50 |
| | Benton County Auditor - deputy wages | 136.50 |
| | Kimm's Mini Mart - tractor gas | 30.61 |
| | IA Association of Municipal Utilities - annual dues | 240.00 |
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Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the Blue Star Memorial. The clerk reported the plaque has arrived. Brandt suggested the dedication for the plaque be tied in with the installation of the new merry-go-round.
The mayor opened discussion on the indentations on the west end of Exchange Street. The mayor reported there are more sink-holes and eruptions on Exchange Street, and indentations on Main Street. The mayor stated that the project will have to wait until the weather stays warm. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
The mayor opened discussion on bids for park mowing. The clerk read the bid from R-Harts Mowing Service for $75.00 per time, and the bid from Schulze Mowing and Snow Removal for $70.00 per time, with the stipulation that the price would be increased $5.00 per time if gasoline reaches $5.00 per gallon. Council discussion followed.
Kendall moved to accept Schulze Mowing & Snow Removal's bid, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote -all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will contact both parties to advise them of the council's decision. The clerk will draw up a resolution to be put on next month's agenda.
Under further business, the mayor reported Drahn Insurance believes the city needs to increase the city's building replacement coverage value to $300,000.00. Mr. Drahn told the mayor that the price increase can be billed over a four year period. The mayor also related he had received some reports of gun fire within the city limits. The mayor stated he had spoken to the offending party and related that there cannot be any firearm discharge within the city limits, and/or near any buildings or livestock. The mayor reported he has had reports of dogs running at large, and had reminded a dog owner of that ordinance.
With no further business on the agenda, Brandt moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Clerk
CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - FEBRUARY 7, 2011 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Luzerne City Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Jeani Brandt, Dwight Glinsmann, Kelly Kendall, and Lorin Potter were present, as was Fire Chief Dan Martin. Council member Ryan Rupp was absent.
Glinsmann moved to approve the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by Kendall.
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Brandt moved to allow the following bills, seconded by Potter:
| Waste Management of Iowa -January pick-up | $317.31 |
| Poweshiek Water | 35.00 |
| Alliant Energy - meter $89.00, street lights $219.02 | 308.02 |
| Coon Creek - phone | 40.06 |
| Jan Kendall - phone and copying expenses | 7.70 |
| Schulze Mowing - 4X snow blowing - bridge sidewalk | 60.00 |
| Kelly Kendall - 11 hrs. snow plowing @ $11.00 per hr | 121.00 |
| Kimm's Mini-Mart - tractor gas | 100.01 |
| Dan Martin Repair - tractor repair | 391.00 |
| Dysart State Bank - loan payment 1/3 principle and interest | 3,333.33 |
Roll call vote -all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the FY2011-2012 budget. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to set the public hearing date for Monday, March 7th, 2011, at 7:00 PM ( our regular meeting), seconded by Kendall.
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The clerk swore Fire Chief Dan Martin into office. The clerk then read the annual calendar year report presented to the council.
The mayor opened discussion on amending the FY2010-2011 budget. The clerk reported the current budget is in need of being amended in the program area of miscellaneous expenditures. Council discussion followed.
Glinsmann moved to set the public hearing date for the 2010-2011 budget amendment for Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:00 PM(our regular meeting), seconded by Kendall.
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the Blue Star Memorial. The clerk reported the plaque has been ordered and will arrive sometime in March or April. The clerk stated Brad Sievers is willing to contribute to the project by providing a flat surfaced rock.
The mayor opened discussion on the indentations on the west end of Exchange Street. The clerk reported she had fielded a complaint. The mayor requested the clerk to ask the city attorney whether the city could close the road until spring when the indentations can be fixed.
The mayor opened discussion on potentially overdue electrical bills. The clerk reported Alliant Energy's billing cycle is such that the due date falls before the first Monday of the month, so when the bills are approved by the council, the electrical bill is delinquent. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to have the clerk sign up the accounts for the ACH withdrawal, seconded by Glinsmann.
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on whether to grant permission to Peppy's Ice cream to do business within the city limits. Council discussion followed.
Brandt moved to allow Peppy's Ice Cream to do business in Luzerne, seconded by Kendall.
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. The clerk will let them know of the council's decision.
Under further business, Brandt reported the merry - go -round has been ordered for the park, and is expected to arrive in late March or early April. bar fields retaining wall.
With no further business on the agenda, Brandt moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried. Mayor Clerk
CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - JANUARY 3, 2001 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Luzerne City Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Jeani Brandt, Dwight Glinsmann, Kelly Kendall, and Lorin Potter were present, as were interested citizens Fran Potter and Garrett Rollins. Council member Ryan Rupp was absent.
Kendall approved the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by Brandt. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Glinsmann moved to allow the following bills, seconded by Potter:
| Waste Management of Iowa - December pick-up | $315.06 |
| Poweshiek Water | 35.00 |
| Alliant Energy - meter $70.14, street lights $215.88 | 286.02 |
| Coon Creek - phone | 40.06 |
| Jan Kendall - copying expenses | 3.40 |
| Schulze Mowing - 3X bridge snow removal | l 15.00 |
| Kelly Kendall - 3.5 hours of snow plowing @ $11.00 per hour | 38.50 |
| Rabe Hardware - installation electrical fixtures, etc. maint. Shed | 1,015.11 |
| Rabe Hardware - furnace installation maint. Shed | 668.69 |
| IMFOA - annual dues | 30.00 |
Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on L.L. Pelling's street repair bid proposal for 2011. Council discussion followed.
Kendall moved to accept L. L. Pelling's street repair bid proposal, seconded by Brandt. Roll cal vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the annual appointment of a representative to the Benton Development Group and the Benton County Community Foundation. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to appoint Dwight Glinsmann to be Luzerne's representative to both the Benton Development Group's and the Benton County Community Foundation's boards, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on passing Resolution #352 to adopt the Benton County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The clerk read the resolution aloud. Council discussion followed.
Kendall moved to accept Resolution #352, adopting the Benton County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
The mayor opened discussion on the 2011-2012 budget. The clerk reported the most significant budgeting information she has received so far is that the Benton County Supervisors voted to increase the amount each city pays for landfill use will be raised $2.00 per capita. The item will be put on next month's agenda.
Under further business, the clerk asked that the posting box on the corner of Maple and Luzerne Streets be fixed or rebuilt soon. With no further business on the agenda, Glinsmann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 PM, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote - all ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Clerk
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