The Paullina City Council met in regular session on March 6, 2023 in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 127 S Main St, Paullina, Iowa. Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call. Council Members present: Steve Heeren, Carol Honkomp, Jay Jones, Lexy Murphy, Jean Unrau. Mayor Ebel Kruse declared a quorum.
Also present: Clerk/Administrator Scott Wise, Police Chief Nathan Bremer, Fire Chief Ryan Harper, Ambulance President Laurie Struve; Rich Van Beek.
Guests: Paul Struve, Larry & Patsy Schwebach, John Ihle, Glenda Heithus. Press: Mari Radtke.
Agenda: Motion: Honkomp. Second: Unrau. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Open opportunity to address the Council: Glenda Heithus, commented electric rates were not switched from summer to winter soon enough. Concerns of heavy traffic & high speeds on S Maple St.
Larry Schwebach (financial board) & John Ihle (programming committee) commented on their roles with TCA.
Presentation by Paul Struve regarding property & liability insurance coverage updates. City’s annual policy with EMC has renewal date of April 1st that requires a decision prior to next regular meeting so a special meeting will be scheduled.
Motion by Unrau; Second by Heeren to approve minutes from 02/21/2023 Council Meeting. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Murphy; Second by Unrau to approve payment of claims. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy to hire Mosquito Control of IA again for the 2023 Summer season. Second by Honkomp. All Ayes. Motion carried. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Honkomp; Second by Heeren to approve $50 donation to Zion St. John Lutheran School for their School Spring Fling Fundraiser. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; Second by Murphy to approve $100 donation to South O’Brien After Prom Party. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Heeren; Second by Murphy to table approving shared cost of planting 5 new evergreens at Swanson until further details could be provided. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy; Second by Unrau to approve hiring of DJ Lode & Taylor Steffens to share Swanson maintenance role for 2023 at $3,500 each. All Ayes. Motion carried.
First reading of Ordinance amending Article 1.05 Municipal Electric Utility Rates to increase rates per the overall 5% recommended by 2022 MRES Rate Study, which includes reducing Power Cost Adjustment base & raising customer charges/rates. Motion by Unrau; Second by Honkomp. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Mayor Ebel Kruse declared first reading complete.
First reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 5 Trees Article 7 General Provisions 7.03 Planting Restrictions to prevent the planting of any trees in the street or parking. Motion by Honkomp; Second by Murphy. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Mayor Ebel Kruse declared first reading complete.
Motion by Murphy; Second by Unrau to permit removal of optional fluoride injection supplement in city drinking water per State policy for 90-day process. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy; Second by Honkomp to approve up to $5,000 to be ordered for hitches & toolboxes on 2 new trucks per previous budget allocation. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Heeren; Second by Unrau to table setting a workshop date for discussing City properties. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy; Second by Unrau to set dates: 5/1/23 Hazardous Materials & 5/9/23 Spring Clean-up.
Discussion on speed limits & traffic concerns on S Maple related to upcoming DOT detour usage. No action taken. Further info/solutions will be sought.
Motion by Heeren; Second by Murphy to set special meeting for 3/14/23 at 6:30pm in Council Chambers. All ayes. Motion carried.
Reports: Struve provided updated budget request. Harper will attend IA Fire School in Altoona April 1-2. Van Beek spoke of continued snow removal & related equipment repairs, potholes & problem areas, etc. Mayor reminded everyone to exercise their right to vote in school’s bond election tomorrow.
Murphy motioned to adjourn. Heeren seconded. All Ayes. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Brenda Ebel Kruse, Mayor
ATTEST:
Scott Wise, City Clerk/Administrator
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 16, 2023