The Paullina City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, July 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, Fire Chief Ryan Harper, Superintendent Kelly Top, Assistant Clerk Alex Griggs, Library Director Matt Dengler, Airport Director Brian Fisch. Guests: Glenda Heithus, Marlin Sjaarda, Taylor Murphy, John Ihle. Press: Radtke.
Open opportunity to address the Council: Heithus thanked the city crews for a wonderful job fixing the electric pole in her backyard. Ihle wondered about new website being developed then left at 5:37pm. Dengler wants to be notified before mosquito spraying.
Motion by Honkomp; second by Unrau to approve agenda. Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Unrau. Nays: Murphy (no reason given). Motion carried. Motion by Heeren; second by Unrau to approve minutes from 6/19/23 regular meeting with the revision listing Murphy as the second for wage payment. All ayes. Motion carried.
Heeren asked why minutes were published in Saturday’s edition of The N’West Iowa REVIEW. Mayor Ebel Kruse shared that Michelle had been informed Monday June 26 by Marcus News that we were too late to be included in the June 29 issue. To avoid an audit write-up for missing the required 15-day publication rule, minutes were sent to the REVIEW on Thursday the 29th, a deadline that allowed for Saturday July 1 publishing. When using the REVIEW, all City Council minutes from Monday night meetings would be published within the same week of the meeting — just 5 days later vs 10 days later with Marcus News, for the same established legal rate.
Motion by Jones; second by Honkomp to approve payment of claims. Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Unrau. Nays: Murphy (no reason given). Motion carried.
Motion by Jones; second by Unrau to approve up to $20,000 in water treatment property site improvements that were previously budgeted but never spent. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; second by Honkomp to accept the $16,500 excavation quote from R1 Excavating to clear East Broadway lots from Maple to Harker, pending confirmation of property area to be cleared. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Honkomp; second by Unrau to table approval of window tint quote until getting a quote for new vertical blinds on the lower part. All ayes. Motion carried.
Discussion on employee handbook policy, 28E & Police Chief vacation/staffing concerns. Will further explore options.
After discussion of duties, motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to table appointing a building official per Ch. 2.01 until a future meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
After much discussion that should lead to exploring legitimate & urgent options to update the +50-year-old deteriorated & dilapidated terminal building, a motion by Murphy; second by Unrau removed item #14 from consideration at this time to pursue alternatives. All ayes. Motion carried.
Mayor Ebel Kruse shared that there’s a new newsletter mailed out with this month’s bill that covers helpful topics, including info shared on budget billing/level payment plans. Utility Superintendent Top reported on activities of his crew & mentioned need for a new compressor but will first confirm aeration is still required at the lagoons. Police Chief Bremer had no report. Fire Chief Harper shared about street widths with parking requirements — 15 City blocks are just 25’ vs a 31’ standard street width. Suggests planning a public info meeting to discuss first. Library Director Dengler thanked City & patrons for summer movie night success. Wanted to use Swanson fields for kite flying & will ask Reichle about it. Last Saturday in August (26th) is bike safety ride with making music on your porch. Working on solutions to some aging AC equipment issues.
Council Comments: Jones led discussion of dog ordinance & leash law, plus concerns over feeding of feral cats. He also mentioned a rebate for planting trees & the State possibly offering more funds due to emerald ash borer problems. Honkomp remarked the small well building on the golf course side of Hwy 10 looks much more presentable now & wanted to send the golf board a thank-you.
Motion by Murphy; second by Heeren to adjourn at 7:12 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, July 20, 2023