City Council Meeting
City Hall – Paullina, Iowa
November 15, 2021
A regular meeting was called to order this date by Mayor John Ihle. Roll call was answered by Council Members Jean Unrau, Lexy Murphy, Steve Heeren and Jay Jones; City Clerk Sandy Fritz, Electric Superintendent Kelly Top, Electric Lineman Kaden Hewlett, Chief of Police Nathan Bremer and Officer Trenton Morton. Also present: Mari Radtke, Dennis Werkmeister, Micah Powers and Brenda Kruse
The following proceedings were had, to-wit:
Murphy moved and Unrau seconded the motion to approve the agenda for the November 15, 2021 regular meeting. Motion carried by all ayes.
Murphy moved and Unrau seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2021. Motion carried by all ayes.
INQUIRES FROM None
AUDIENCE
Top reported Lange’s water line is in, the street sweeper is repaired and is working well. Fritz read a Thank You card from the Paullina Public Library for help with the bike rodeo. Ihle commented on new OSHA Covid requirement.
Micah Powers attended the meeting and answered questions about his development plans for Lot 2 in the Paullina Industrial Park. Powers wants to build four buildings in 2 years but is having trouble getting material quotes. Powers plans to have 2 buildings done in a year, 2 employees. The plan is to make storage boxes or store the boxes.
Discussion was had on snow removal in the City of Paullina. The city will use what we have and may have to hire outside help.
Brenda Kruse, representing the Paullina Chamber, handed out flyers listing the Hometown Christmas activities. Kruse requested various street closures and asked to have a Christmas tree in front of Wonderland Theatre in the emergency lane on the street or in the area by the gazebo. Chief of Police Bremer stated the area in front of the theatre is an emergency lane and cannot be blocked.
Heeren introduced Resolution # 21-33 entitled “Resolution to close Main Street from City Hall to Railroad Street, East Broadway from Main to Mickley at noon on December 4, 2021 for Hometown Christmas activities.” Murphy seconded the motion to adopt. Roll was called and the vote was a follows:
AYES – Jones, Heeren, Murphy, Unrau
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Honkomp
The Mayor declared the resolution as adopted.
Heeren moved and Murphy seconded the motion approve putting up a Christmas tree for Hometown Christmas by the gazebo in the pocket park on East Broadway Street. Motion carried by all ayes.
Brenda Kruse took the Oath of Office for Mayor for the City of Paullina. Steve Heeren took the Oath of Office for Council Member for the City of Paullina.
Jones moved and Murphy seconded the motion to approve Cody Dreckman as a member of the Paullina Fire Department. Motion carried by all ayes.
Jones moved and Unrau seconded the motion to approve paying Chris Erdmann 41.46 hours of unused vacation pay. Motion carried by all ayes.
DJ Weber, from TCA, is requesting two council members to be on a TCA Committee. Murphy moved and Jones seconded the motion to appoint Steve Heeren and Jean Unrau to the TCA Committee. Motion carried by all ayes.
Discussion was had on private sewer versus a public sewer. The main in the downtown area runs east and west on Broadway Street. For a property owner to be on a public sewer line the business would need to run directly from the business into the main and not connect with any other line. The City of Paullina does not maintain private sewers.
The City of Paullina received a complaint from Saving Grace Daycare about the mailboxes that have been placed by the daycare. The mailbox owners will not maintain the area around the boxes.Saving Grace has been trimming around all the boxes.
After a review of the mailboxes on Maple Street several code violations have been identified. All mailboxes need to be white/aluminum/natural metal color or other neutral color. The boxes need to be on wood post and not attached to a city electrical pole and the mailbox needs to be on your property or directly across from your property depending on the route. Several boxes are black, not on wood post and not directly across from the owner’s property.
The council asked City Clerk Fritz to put the ordinance in the newsletter and the issue will be reviewed in the spring.
Discussion was had on using the sidewalk in the Paullina Business district for retail sales. Business can use the 3 feet from their business for retail displays. This item will be in the next newsletter.
Two camera bids for city hall were reviewed. Discussion was had on security for the cameras equipment in the utility closet.
Murphy moved and Unrau seconded the motion to accept the bid from TCA for 4 camera and installation in city hall. The original bid was for 5 camera and install for $1,000. Motion carried by all ayes.
The city council reviewed a proposal for cell phones for city staff. Discussion on coverage and reliability was had. Fritz will contact the vendor to see if we can get a phone to try to see how well the service works.
Murphy moved and Unrau seconded the motion to approve the City of Paullina’s FY 2021 Annual Financial Report. Motion carried by all ayes.
The Paullina City Council will hold a FY 2022-2023 Budget Workshop on December 13, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
Discussion on snow removal for this winter was had. At this time we only have 2 outside employees. Kelly Top stated we could handle plowing the streets and alleys but not snow removal for the sidewalks in the downtown business district.
Murphy moved and Heeren seconded the motion to send a letter to the businesses in the downtown business district stating the City of Paullina will not be removing snow from the sidewalks of the businesses. If the snow is not removed from the sidewalk and pushed 2 feet into the street by 6 a.m. the day of the snow event the snow in the parking will not be removed until the next business day. If a business fails to remove the snow from the sidewalk 24 hours after a snow event the city will remove the snow and the business will be charged $100 for each time the sidewalk need to be cleaned. Motion carried by all ayes.
Water and Wastewater operations will be covered by the City of Paullina and an Affidavit Operator.
The City of Paullina and the City of Primghar will meet to discuss a 28E Agreement.
Jones moved and Muprhy seconded the motion to enter into a closed session to discuss real estate at 7:33 p.m. On call of the roll the motion carried. The vote was as follows: AYES: Steve Heeren, Lexy Murphy, Jay Jones and Jean Unrau. NAYS: None.
Murphy moved and Unrau seconded the motion approving to exit the closed session at 8:03 p.m. On call of the roll the motion carried. The vote was as follows: AYES: Steve Heeren, Lexy Murphy, Jay Jones and Jean Unrau. NAYS: None
No action was taken.
The time being 8:12 P.M. Muprhy moved and Heeren seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried by all ayes.
John Ihle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sandy Fritz, City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier Dec 2, 2021