The Paullina City Council met in regular session on June 5, 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: Police Chief Nathan Bremer, Superintendent Kelly Top, Deputy Clerk Michelle Wilson, Assistant Clerk Alex Griggs. Guests: Justin Jacobsma of Williams & Company, Glenda Heithus, Marlin Sjaarda, Matt Dengler. Press: Radtke.
Motion by Murphy; second by Honkomp to approve agenda. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Unrau; second by Honkomp to approve minutes from 5/23/23 special meeting. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Unrau; second by Jones to approve payment of claims. All ayes. Motion carried.
After discussion, motion by Unrau; second by Jones to approve complimentary use of the Laue Room for South O’Brien CAPS classes for fall semester in exchange for an AV equipment donation. Suggested an alternate location at the Library when Laue Rm is booked/busy on weekday afternoons. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy; second by Honkomp to appoint Kelly Top to the 3-member Swanson Complex Commission as the City’s rep for 2023 in collaboration with South O’Brien Community School.
Mayor Ebel Kruse welcomed new Assistant Clerk Alex Griggs & introduced Jacobsma of Williams & Co. After spending the day here to gather materials, he updated Council regarding FY21-22 annual examination status, shared some initial findings & commented many are typically seen during personnel changes. He expects the formal report to be ready in about 30 days.
Heithus thanked Bremer for his ticketing efforts to slow speeding traffic on S Maple Street & asked for it to continue. She has inquired of the County Engineer ways to better mark the Lake bike path crossing for traffic. Suggestions will be pursued.
Dengler spoke about his wife being intimidated in their yard by 2 loose dogs that have been consistently at large within city limits. Bremer further explained the process of nuisance abatement, including the need for witnesses to testify in court if needed. The City has been working to update/amend its dog-related ordinance.
Tom & Mark Lange (arrived 6:05 pm) spoke about the land exchange done with the City years earlier. It seems the abstract had not been updated so a recent survey shows the road to the lagoon/dump as their property. The City Attorney will need to promptly remedy these issues.
Council Comments: Honkomp advised that TCA will need a 3-yr At-Large Board Member for July. Still exploring quotes/options to clear E Broadway lots. Candidates will be interviewed for water operator position & employee committee will be conducting annual reviews. An ordinance for no parking on certain streets will be amended to include areas that are too narrow for emergency response vehicles.
Motion by Murphy; second by Heeren to adjourn at 6:56 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.
Brenda Ebel Kruse, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Wilson, Deputy City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier June 15, 2023