by Mari Radtke
The meeting was the final Paullina Council meeting led by Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse and also for council members Jay Jones and Lexy Murphy. Incoming mayor, Marlin Sjaarda and incoming council members Nicole Fintel Jacobs Jean Unrau were sworn in. Dennis Werkmeister was not present.
The claims report brought up questions during the claims approval reflecting costs for office software and camera work for the fire department. Councilperson Carol Honkomp asked about the $11,000 payment to Schwebach. Superintendent Kelly Top reported that Schweback Tree Service had 1 day left and will be done, according to Top. The chipper (for the tree stumps collected on city property at Maple and East Broadway Streets) is expected in Paullina after Christmas. For clarification, City Clerk Michelle Wilson asked Top that all the trees won’t be down, there will still be trees left?” Top replied, “Right, there will still be trees left. We are done with the money.” The answer seemed to surprise all of the council members. Ebel Kruse denied media to ask a question regarding the payment to Schwebach.
Steve Heeren asked about a bill from Steve Cook inspection. Ebel Kruse explained that was for the CAPS inspection of Iowa State Bank building. Honkomp said, “I guess I was not under the impression they were going to actually have that done. I mean, I didn’t realize that. I thought they were just setting up a school thing to check into this building or any building about doing a business. So I guess I was kind of amazed.” Ebel Kruse outlined the difficulties of the CAPS class with finding a commercial inspector when this person suddenly materialized with limited time to do the inspection. The cover of the report headlines, “Home Inspection Report.”
Students addressed the school board on the same night as the council meeitng. Ebel Kruse reported that the students would be at the January 16 meeting to report to council. Heeren questioned what the project was or use of which building to which Ebel Kruse replied the CAPS students aren’t using the [old ISB building] yet, they are just looking into its “validity and possibility” of using it as something and what would be best for the town. Heeren then asked, “So the expense of the inspection is now on the city.” The bill created by the CAPS project that surprised council members was $599.20.
Ebel Kruse retorted, “As would asbestos removal which we will talk about later in the agenda. But there are no quotes for that. They haven’t done that obviously, no one has. And it’s – we will discuss that later.” Discussion of the student’s plans, offered by Ebel Kruse continued.
The newspaper investigated the documentation of the history of receiving the property at 105 N. Main. Three files were located in the office. Within those files were the contract for purchase in which $45,000 was gifted to the city with the building by Iowa State Bank to “use to repurpose the building.” Also contained in the files were 2 very detailed asbestos reports submitted by Iowa licensed asbestos contractors. One included a bid for the removal. The studies were conducted with reports provided to the city in 2020.
The mayor, who just completed service as a school board member spoke very knowledgeably to council about the activities of the CAPS program. CAPS teacher Amy Schmidt was asked several questions about the proposals the program received for consideration to which she declined any comment. Several discussion with school Superintendent Wade Riley also met with some non responsive answers. Eventually, Riley provided the newspaper with the original proposal made by Brenda Ebel Kruse and gives the duration until 2025. It’s not clear how a new council will continue the CAPS project for the city of Paullina. According to Riley, eight projects were submitted by the community for CAPS associates to consider. Presented payments were approved for payment.
Bank reconciliation journals were provided to council. The journals are produced by the software and only produce transactions entered into the system. The city is searching for a Treasurer to actually verify balancing its books with the banks records.
The Music Boosters can cage is getting a new home. It will be relocated near the city park. It will be placed next to a city shed behind the old light plant on the west side of the alley connected to Mickley Street. The relocation may be delayed as late as June of 2024.
Paullina council approved entering into an agreement with the City of Hartley for waste water testing. Top reported the cost including mileage and benefits would cost approximately $70 per week. He went on to say Josh Biery and he will be testing in January and February respectively. Biery has his water I operator license.
The asbestos discussion for 105 N. Main came back. Ebel Kruse led off by saying, “They are looking for permission to seek out the quotes to get it remediated. Remember when the bank gave it to the city they had a certain amount, $60,000 in there, which was to accomplish the asbestos remediation which has not been done yet and now we’ve had…two new furnaces, and the water leak fixed, utilities. Anyway as you see fund statement that fund is slowly depleted.”
Ebel Kruse went on to say the other option to the city is to demolish the building “which you would think would be more economical, but it’s not.” Jones asked, “Why did we spend that money when it was allocated just for asbestos?” Ebel Kruse first said she didn’t know then said, “When we needed furnaces where would we get the money?” $35,822 remains in the account according to City Clerk Wilson.
In praising the 41-page, picture laden report, Ebel Kruse noted that there were some items on the report that city crews would be doing some of the repairs.
A motion was made and seconded to approve allowing CAPS to solicit asbestos removal bids. Before the vote Heeren verified the role of CAPS associates would be to obtain asbestos inspections only. There was no discussion of the cost of an asbestos inspection or testing. The motion passed.
Brian Fish submitted his resignation after long service to the City of Paullina as Airport Manager. It was accepted.