Sutherland, Iowa City Council Meeting – July 1, 2024
7:00 PM – 110 Ash Street
Meeting Room
Mayor Kay Gifford called the Public Hearing of the Sale of Property to Steve Rienfeld to order. Roll call showed Councilmembers present were: Patrick Nelson, Nancy Kuehl, Bruce Engelke, and Tyler Draper. Johanna Homan was absent. Others present were: Rich Radtke, Brent Koppie, Maurine Amendt, Mauricio and Kim Jara, Mark Shriver, Neil Jurgensen, Devon Jones, Rich Van Beek and Amanda Vanderhoff. There were no questions or comments. A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to adjourn from the public hearing. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford called the Council Meeting to order. Roll call showed Councilmembers present were: Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Homan was absent. Others present were: Rich Radtke, Brent Koppie, Maurine Amendt, Mauricio and Kim Jara, Mark Shriver, Neil Jurgensen, Devon Jones, Rich Van Beek and Amanda Vanderhoff.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Kuehl to approve the agenda and previous minutes. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford introduced Brent Koppie. He will be serving the City of Sutherland as a part-time police officer.
Guests/Public comments: Maurine Amendt was present as a guest to voice her concerns for the health of residents who had sewage backup and the amount of sump pumps that are hooked into the city sewer system. The sewer issues Sutherland had during the storms were discussed. Council will continue to discuss a long-term plan on how to address these issues. Mayor Kay Gifford thanked Rich and Devon for their help over the weekend.
There were a few questions asked about the bills. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by
Draper to pay the bills. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
Economic Development report was given by Nelson. A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Kuehl to approve Jordan Wohlert to the Economic Development Board. All in favor. Motion carried. They are working on a marketing plan for Labor Day. They made a decision for the signs at the Industrial Park and they are going to start advertising the city’s available lots on Zillow. The board also discussed whether they needed to change meeting times so more people can attend.
Council read through the library report provided by Director Nancy Hill.
Fire and Ambulance report was provided by Chief Mark Shriver. They had 5 ambulance calls and 1 fire call. They have 2 new members. The repairs on the tanker truck will be done in the next few months.
Police report: A motion was made by Draper seconded by Nelson to approve Resolution 2024-26: Resolution Hiring a Part-Time Police Officer for The City of Sutherland. Roll call: Engelke, Draper, Nelson, and Kuehl. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
Communications and topics for discussion:
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to approve the liquor license for the R. L. Johannsen Center. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve temporary special event liquor license for Top of Iowa Lucky Wife. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke to approve Ordinance 2024-001: An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of The City of Sutherland, Iowa, By Amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 55 – Animal Protection and Control. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke waive the seconded reading. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made Draper seconded by Kuehl to waive the third reading. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded Engelke to approve Resolution 2024-27: Resolution Directing Sale & Authorizing the City of Sutherland to Enter into a Contract and Convey Real Estate Owned by The City of Sutherland. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to approve Resolution 2024-28: Resolution Approving Executed Contract. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Kuehl to approve Resolution 2024-29: Resolution Approving Special Warranty Deed. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – 2,280,000 gallons in at the tower.
Streets – The clerk will call The Sutherland Remembers When Society to get a timeline on the road repair on Washington Street. Rich will get to together with the street committee to talk about road repairs.
Sanitation (sewer) – 7,915,00 gallons at the ponds. The city will purchase 2 more trash/water pumps to help with heavy rainfall.
Town Property – The council decided to keep the dumpster at the maintenance building, for residents that need to dispose of items because of the flooded basements, until July 15th.
Park – The sidewalk on the eastside of the park is starting to deteriorate. The Park Board meetings will be held the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. The new slide should arrive by the end of July.
Weeds and Debris – The clerk sent out a letter to residents to remind them of property maintenance ordinances. Committee member Kuehl will provide the clerk with a list of properties with issues that need addressed.
Lights –No report.
Sanitary Landfill – No report.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to adjourn. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff, City Clerk Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier July 18, 2024