The Paullina City Council met in regular session on March 20, 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, Jay Jones, Jean Unrau, Carol Honkomp, Lexy Murphy. Mayor Ebel Kruse declared a quorum.
Also present: Clerk/Administrator Scott Wise, Police Chief Nathan Bremer, Fire Chief Ryan Harper, Library Director Matt Dengler.
Guests: Glenda Heithus, Tammie Evans, Shawn Strubbe, Kent Faust. Press: Radtke.
Motion by Honkomp; second by Unrau to approve agenda. All ayes. Motion carried.
Open opportunity to address the Council: No guests present requested time to speak.
Motion by Unrau; second by Honkomp to open the FY24 Max Levy Public Hearing at 5:36 pm. No written or oral comments were received. All ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Ebel Kruse answered inquiries from Heeren & Radtke as to calculations & wording.
Motion by Honkomp; second by Jones to close the public hearing at 5:45 pm. All ayes. Motion carried.
Resolution introduced by Unrau; second by Honkomp to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 Max Levy. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Resolution passed.
Resolution introduced by Unrau; second by Murphy that max property tax dollars for the affected tax levies FY2024 shall not exceed $392,768. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Resolution passed.
Kent Faust discussed City property & liability insurance coverage for the coming year. City can further raise the deductible to lower premium prices. Need to get fire/ambulance vehicles adequately covered.
Paullina Chamber member Tammie Evans shared plans for the upcoming Easter event on Sat April 8 at the City Park 10-11:30am with egg hunt, Easter Bunny, petting zoo & Fire Dept rides. No street closures were requested.
Motion by Murphy; second by Unrau to approve minutes from 3/6/23 regular & 3/14/23 special meetings. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; second by Honkomp to approve payment of claims. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Jones; second by Unrau to approve request to plant 5 new evergreens at the Swanson Sports Complex. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Jones; second by Honkomp to read second & waive third reading of an ordinance amending Article 1.05 Municipal Electric Utility Rates: Increase rates per the overall 5% recommended by 2022 MRES Rate Study, which includes reducing the Power Cost Adjustment Base & raising customer charges/rates. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Ordinance amended.
Motion by Murphy; second by Jones to read second & waive third reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 5 Trees Article 7 General Provisions 7.03 Planting Restrictions to prevent the planting of any trees in street or parking. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Ordinance amended.
Motion by Murphy; second by Jones to approve purchase of refurbished 1999 GMC water tender using township funds. All ayes. Motion carried.
Mayor Ebel Kruse reported that Black Hills Energy franchise dollars have been received & will be properly applied per the established revenue purpose statement.
Dengler expressed gratitude for all the support as he adjusts to new role. He thanked City Crew for moving snow & ice from library parking areas.
Wise shared Top’s Supt report & gave update on public safety concerns for Maple Street’s upcoming DOT detour. County engineer will not add signs to help slow incoming traffic but adding a stop sign is up to the City. DOT rep advised against placing a stop sign but can provide signs to help address speeding. More tickets need to be written. Wise also explained that Utility billing will be adjusted on the next bill cycle to reflect the delayed seasonal rate change. Customers will receive communication in the newsletter enclosed with the bill this month.
Harper believes we should analyze valuations to ensure Property Blanket Coverage of $14 million is adequate. Honkomp shared brief ambulance update. Honkomp & Unrau will meet with Dengler regarding budget.
Council comments: Murphy would like to add an open comment time to the end of the meeting agenda or move it from beginning to end. Jones asked about getting a new for sale sign on the Maple St lot. Discussion on construction timing for building permits on other lots.
Murphy motioned to adjourn. Unrau second. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm
Brenda Ebel Kruse, Mayor
ATTEST:
Scott Wise, City Clerk/Administrator
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 30, 2023