Bill Engeltjes attended the Tuesday, February 7 regular meeting of the Archer Council. He reminded council of a plan passed by a former council. He described the plan. It included the installation of three culverts: one at the north end of Main Street. This part of the plan is to replace a collapsed culvert diagonally from the tree dump. The second and third culverts were to be installed at the east end of Harriman Avenue, the intersection with Sanford Street (Highway L40). The third location already approved by a previous council is to place a culvert at the east end of Fletcher Avenue (also the highway intersection). A decision of a previous council does not obligate a future council.
The flashing crosswalks are still on the agenda for council to have certainty what they will get for the money spent. The number of lights and sign faces. The crosswalks were to be installed at Harriman Avenue and Fletcher Avenue. Questions of power source and installation came up with each discussion. Two complete crosswalks consisting of four flashing lights, four poles, four cabinets and etc. Lights and signs would face each direction on each side of Sanford Street with crossing signs will cost the city $22,484. The cost does not include installation. The majority of the cost of the signs is to be paid for from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A resolution to approve this plan will be on the agenda for the March 2023 meeting.
A new code of ordinances is nearly complete. A few grammar or technical changes were addressed, including the city’s approved truck route, were considered. City Clerk Sandy Fritz will note final changes to Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission. Council also received the first draft of their updated emergency operation plan.
The public hearing for the proposed property tax levy was opened with no one present to ask questions or give comments. The resolution to approve the maximum property tax levy was approved. Council was advised that the valuations used to compute the current budget will be changed. The state provided an inaccurate rollback in FY23. That is to be corrected by using FY22 valuations and will reduce the property tax income to the city. The public hearing for the coming overall budget was set for March 14, 2023.
The clean up date for the city park was set for May 27, 2023 at 10:00am. Clean up days for residents is in March. No exact date was given. A community barbeque is part of the park cleanup planning.
The city examination was discussed. Division of duties was addressed. This is a continuous and unending concern for small cities. A previous policy to set limits and name depositories could not be found. Council passed one. There was also no available investment policy for the cit either. Fritz presented council with a boiler-plate policy offered by Iowa League of Cities and explained the requirement. She said she would also pass it to City Attorney Micah Schreurs for input. Council will take it up at the next meeting.