by Mari Radtke
The Consent Agenda of the June 3 Paullina Council meeting was amended. Approval of the Dollar General Store Iowa Retail Permit Application for Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor was removed and given a separate agenda item number, 11b on the request of Councilman Dennis Werkmeister. The move left only the minutes of the May 29 meeting for approval.
Tammie Evans presented council with Gemboree plans and its requests to ready the community for the end of June event. Many events have moved to the Legion Building on Satruday evening. Street closure requests for the parade and park activities remain the same. The Chamber did not get a liquor license this year.
Josh Whittenhouse is the new manager of Town & Country Disposal. The company has been under contract with the City of Paullina for a 5 year contract and an extension which is reaching its completion. Josh came to discuss the highlights of the new contract proposal. In it is included a 7.2%rate increase to the city itself. He said, “Management wanted me to go for 15% but I said, ‘No.’” The proposed contract is 5 years at $5362.77 per month plus raising recycle fees from $1.50 to $2.00 oer residence. He also said the contract is new this year, about 17 pages.
Council asked for a copy of the contract then tabled further action on the contract until each councilmember has had opportunity to review it.
Whittenhouse closed by offering free dumpsters for the Gemboree Celebration.
A new ordinance replacing the existing mailbox ordinance was tabled. The post office has requested the city to remove specific post roads from its city ordinance. A request from residence on North Mickley Street for rural delivery to that street prompted the request. Werkmeister asked why the city has an ordinance when enforcement authority and responsibility is with the post office. After discussion of the proposed ordinance and proposed options council passed the 1st reading 4-1, Werkmeister opposing. The second reading is to be scheduled for the June 17 meeting.
Council considered utility rates with no action and determined special meetings need to continue to establish the pending new costs and new rates. A June 19 planning session has been set.
Superintendent Kelly Top discussed the sewer line at the corner of Wood and East Broadway Street. He noted that two 8-inch storm sewer lines join there and flow into a single 8-inch sewer line. During wet times backups can occur in homes near the intersection. He explained one new additional pipe to lessen the flow would cost $36,000. It would be a forced main from East Broadway to Day Street then to the lagoon. He further explained TCA would provide the necessary directional drilling to install the pipe, avoiding tearing up the road. TCA would do this work and take it out of the money it pays to the city. Budgeted revenue from TCA would have to be monitored and adjusted at some point. No action was taken.
Lauri Sttruve reminded council of a resolution approved in January 2023 to bill a city when they respond to too many non-mutual aid calls. She stated that Sutherland has reached the threshhold. She further explained that the Paullina Ambulance Team responded to three Sutherland calls over the Memorial Day weekend. She added that Sutherland was on scene for two of those calls without calling off Paullina. As a result of the resolution and Struve’s visit to council, Paullina will bill Sutherland $350 for each of the responses that were not mutual aid. During the discussion she explained mutual aid agreements were being reviewed with County EMA in the coming week.
On Tuesday June 4 Jared Johnson, EMA Director won approval from the County Board of Supervisors for city’s to use the S”ystem Development” Funds approved for various EMT wages to also be used for these service call fees.
Current TCA Board member Larry Schwebach is opting to not reup for another term. The City Council needs to appoint a board member. During public comments portion of the meeting, Glenda Heithus recommended John Ihle to the position. During Council discussion, Steve Heeren said John Ihle had shared his interest in serving on the position. According to Heithus, she had TCA board members tell her they wish John was still on the board, that he was knowledgeable. She said it was Schweback who said he wished Schweback was still on the board. No appointment was made but will scheduled for the next meeting.
The Dollar General Store permit application was brought up. Jean Unrau moved and Nichole Jacobs seconded approval of the permit application. Werkmeister recongnized his wish to support locally-owned businesses. He said, “I’m more of a homegrown guy. I want to see our local businesses flourish. We’ve already had some closures, so we need to do something about it.” The permit was approved on a 4-1 vote with Werkmeister opposed.
Chad Dau provided an estimate on cleaning the trees on Maple and Broadway Streets. It was received Monday morning, too late to be added to the agenda. Discussion comparing Dau’s bid and the chipper. Heeren spoke about the nuisance created for many residents by burning the trees at the dump. He also pointed out the existence of state burning regulations, outlining a few of them. Dau quoted cleaning, raking and leveling the ground for $7500.00.Later in the discussion, City Clerk Michelle Wilson said Dau included burning at the tree dump, although not a line item on the bid. Council considered several options to dispose of the trees within 2 or 3 weeks.