The Paullina City Council met in regular session on August 7th, 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: Assistant Deputy Clerk Alex Griggs, Superintendent of Utilities Kelly Top, Fire Chief Ryan Harper. Guests: Sharon Johnson, Charlie & Dorothy Harper, Melinda Hansen, DJ Hansen, Glenda Heithus, Nichole Jacobs, Ben Eldridge, Eric Brown, Shawn Strubbe.
Open opportunity to address the Council: Melinda Hansen shared her dissatisfaction with council member Murphy regarding road width parking concerns from an earlier meeting & her frustration that the City’s elected officials do not currently have a code of conduct policy in place. The Harpers again expressed concern over nuisance properties & shared a list of violations they observed.
Motion by Murphy; second by Honkomp to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to approve 7/17/23 regular meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; second by Honkomp to approve payment of claims. All ayes. Motion carried.
After hearing from Eric Brown of Paullina Hardware on his proposal to use the back part of the pocket park property for product storage in exchange for improving & caring for the community greenspace, the Council will further consider options for these lots.
After much discussion about the planting specifics & timing, the Council decided not to apply for this year’s IA DNR Community Forestry Grant offering matching funds of $500-$5,000.
Nichole Jacobs shared Chamber of Commerce plans for October events, including the Fall Festival with Trunk or Treat & a Monster Dash 5k from the City park to the Lake. Motion by Murphy; second by Honkomp to approve Resolution 23-26 requesting street closures of E Broadway from Main to Mickley & S Main from Broadway to just south of City Hall, keeping NW half of main intersection open for N Main business traffic on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 1-7pm. Roll call vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to amend Ordinance No. 30 pertaining to animal control & protection: remove pit bull breeds from banned animals; administrative search warrant for vicious animal removal; duty of restraint on & off property; greater penalties for violations. Roll call vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Motion carried. First reading recorded.
After much discussion about chickens & manure quantities, motion by Heeren; second by Unrau to further revise the proposed amendment to the Ordinance No. 31 allowing up to 5 chickens to limit stored manure to no more than 1 cu ft. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Heeren; second by Unrau to approve first reading of amended Ordinance No. 31 to allow up to 5 female chickens. Roll call vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Motion carried. First reading recorded.
Motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to adopt the Ordinance No. 32 pertaining to destruction of weeds, grasses or other growth that sets an 8-inch limit. Roll call vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. Motion carried. First reading recorded.
After discussion, motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to further revise the proposed amended Ordinance 33 pertaining to peddlers, solicitors & transient merchants by removing 4.04(1) & 4.04(3). All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Unrau; second by Murphy to approve first reading of amended Ordinance No. 33. Roll call vote: Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Jones, Murphy, Unrau. Nays: None. First reading recorded.
Motion by Murphy; second by Unrau to approve the revised mobile food vendor permit application in favor of simplification. All ayes. Motion carried. Some discussion on possible exceptions ensued; will clarify with Siouxland District Health.
After Chief Harper spoke about the history to date regarding efforts for a new EMS building, he asked Council to agree to sign the contract with RML Architects that had been tabled since Sept 2021. Ben Eldridge explained that specific costs are needed so the dept can apply for additional grants. The Council will set a date for a special meeting to accomplish this after conferring with City Attorney Tisha Halverson.
The Council did not set a date for public forum on narrow street parking restrictions until a new point person can be prepared after Chief Harper removed himself.
Motion by Murphy; second by Heeren to not approve the $3,600 expense to share a stump grinder with Primghar stating that it wouldn’t be needed much once the 100 diseased ash trees are removed & that the City could hire that out instead. Ayes: Heeren, Honkomp, Murphy, Unrau. Nay: Jones.
Motion by Murphy; second by Honkomp to approve the $56,539.05 quote to purchase 2 rotary blowers from EES that will be used in lagoon aeration update project from ARP funds that have an Oct 2024 deadline. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Murphy; second by Unrau to approve the purchase of MRES Smart Energy Squad education materials for 40 5th grade students at South O’Brien & Zion St. John at a cost of $16 each. All ayes. Motion carried.
Due to conflicts of interest on the Airport committee due to AgState employment, Mayor Ebel Kruse removed Murphy & Jones & appointed Honkomp & Unrau. Mayor Ebel Kruse also noted the large TV screen donated from the CAPS program at the school is now in the Laue room. The CAPS program will start using the Laue room in the afternoons during the first semester of school later this month. Supt Top shared a list of tasks accomplished. Assistant Clerk Griggs noted that a mentor clerk from Rolfe was here helping today.
Motion by Murphy; second by Heeren to adjourn meeting at 7:51 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 August 17, 2023