Sutherland, Iowa City Council Meeting – August 5, 2024 – 7:00 PM – 110 Ash Street
Meeting Room
Councilmember Patrick Nelson called the council meeting to order. Roll called showed Councilmembers present were Patrick Nelson, Johanna Homan, Nancy Kuehl, and Tyler Draper. Mayor Kay Gifford and Bruce Engelke were absent. Others present were: Mari Radtke, Mark Shriver, Isaac Cruz, John Erickson, Neil Jurgensen, Rich Van Beek, Brent Koppie and Amanda Vanderhoff.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Homan to approve the agenda, previous minutes and clerk’s report. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Homan, Kuehl, and Draper. Engelke was absent. Motion carried.
Guests:
Isaac Cruz from Cruz Electric was present to talk to council about upgrading the lighting at the city-owned buildings to LED. He is working in partnership with Mid-American to provide lower cost options for these upgrades. He is going to give the city a cost-free assessment by the next council meeting.
John Erickson was present to ask council about continuing to have livestock on property he purchased. Council asked a few questions. They will address this later on in the meeting.
Neil Jurgensen was present to ask council if they have decided what they plan to do to upgrade the sewer system. Rich Van Beek will make contact with a company about an alarm system and council will continue to discuss what needs to be fixed.
No public comments.
Council reviewed the bills and asked a few questions. A motion was made Nelson seconded by Draper to pay current bills. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Homan, Kuehl, and Draper. Engelke was absent. Motion carried.
Economic Development report was given by Nelson. They are working with Leah Postma on a marketing strategy. Questions were raised on the ditches and powerlines at the William’s Addition. Patrick will discuss these questions at their next meeting, Tyler will get an estimate on driveways and the city clerk will contact MidAmerican.
There was no Library Report. There was no vote on the hiring of Jo Ellen Goodwin for the housekeeping position.
Fire and Ambulance Report was given by Chief Mark Shriver. They had 12 ambulance calls 1 being a rescue and 1 fire call. The department completed their physicals and fit tests. They are planning on doing water fights and raffling off a blanket at the park on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day.
Police Report was given by Officer Brent Koppie. Officer Koppie has found 4 other part-time officers for the City of Sutherland. All officers are certified and highly experienced. He has met with the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Department and the Communications Center to get all officers ready to take calls. He explained to council adding in more traffic codes into the city ordinances would increase the amount of money we get from fines. His goals for August are to meet with the city departments, city and county attorney, county EMS about updating Emergency and Disaster Plan, and develop a regular patrol schedule and Labor Day schedule.
Communication and topics for discussion:
A motion was made by Homan seconded by Draper to approve the Outstanding Debt Report. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Homan, Kuehl, and Draper. Engelke was absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve Resolution 2024-30: Resolution approving a wage increase for the part-time police position and part-time library assistant. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Draper and Homan. Engelke was absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Homan seconded by Kuehl to approve Resolution 2024-31: Resolution to Authorize a Livestock License to John Erickson. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Homan, Kuehl, and Draper. Engelke was absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve Labor Day: closing of streets, the temporary liquor licenses for Sweeney’s Clubhouse and Legacy’s Bar and Grill, street lights shut off during street dance and use of the baseball field and concession stand. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to set the date of the September council meeting to the 9th at 7:00 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made Draper by seconded by Nelson to approve the liquor license for Car-Go Express. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Draper seconded by Homan to approve Sutherland Implement to block off parking in front of building on August 14th. All in favor. Motion carried.

The donation from the cookie walk was discussed.

Standing Committee Reports:
Water: 1,981,110 gallons in at the tower.
Streets: Rich will use the fire truck to clean the streets before he paints them to get ready for Labor Day.
Sanitation (sewer): 7,185,000 gallons to the ponds. The clerk will look up grants to help fund a sewer project and Rich will call about lining the sewer again.
Town Property: No report.
Park: There will be a park clean-up day on Tuesday, August 27th at 6:00 pm. The new slide won’t arrive to install until after Labor Day.
Weeds and Debris: Rich will address the trees hanging over the street. The clerk will attend court on August 27th for a municipal infraction.
Lights: No report.
Sanitary Landfill: no report.
A motion to adjourn was made by Draper seconded by Kuehl. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff, City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier August 15, 2024

Sutherland, Iowa
Bills 8/5/2024

GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $600.00
Smith, Grigg, Shea & Klinker
legal fees $756.00
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
Marcus New
legals $862.25
Iowa One Call
email $16.20
One Office Solution
spls $306.92
Amazon
spls $34.01
POLICE
Verizon
cell $61.10
Marcus News
job ads $579.52
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
service $71.82
Verizon
cell $17.03
Westel
serv $43.13 June
Foundation
labs $16.50
Osceola Co Rural
water $4,751.63 June
UECO
spls $757.62
AgState
chem $24.21
IowaDNR
fee $69.01 June
Elizabeth Peck
deposit $52.29
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $484.22
Verizon
cell $17.03
AgState
chem $24.20
Foundation
labs $421.75
GARBAGE
NW IA Area Solid Waste
tonnage $1,160.06 – June
Town & Country
contract/roll-offs $7,544.15
PARK
Mid American
serv $51.50
BB $40.70
Zub’s
fuel $186.11
A-1 Portables
port-a-pot $66.00
AgState
chem $24.20
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
service $211.00
Baker & Taylor
books $32.48
Westel
serv $71.84 June
Leaf
copier $142.47
Amazon
spls $515.10
Hick’s Electric
labor $161.88
Overdrive
Bridges $450.96
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
door $4,363.08
Main Market
spls $56.48
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1,654.18
Shop $98.80
Verizon
cell $17.04
Westel
serv $149.27 June
Zub’s
fuel $247.02
Mag’s Tree Care
labor $150.00
Iowa Prison Industries
signs $1,016.50
AgState
chem $24.20
Amazon
spls $57.78
UECO
spls $57.53
AgriVision
spls $202.47 June
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $2,027.41 June/July
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
service $182.46
Verizon
cell $40.01
Westel
serv $90.19 June
CRMC
para assist $175.00
Zub’s
fuel $89.00
Med Compass
tests $3,530.00
Quick Med Claims
amb $69.60
Bound Tree
spls $868.75
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,075.14 per month
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Spruce up Sutherland
Zimmer $2,500.00
Spruce up Sutherland
Vega $2,500.00
Spruce up Sutherland
Crist $2,500.00
Spruce up Sutherland
Hellman $2,500.00
Spruce up Sutherland
Rahbusch $600.00
Spruce up Sutherland
Muilenburg $600.00
TOTAL REVENUES $55,067.20
General Fund $5,173.90
Road Use Tax $10,028.90
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $464.08
Tax Inc. Finance $3,234.37
Police Fund $845.00
Community $5,536.23
Insurance $484.55
Employee Benefits $484.55
Water Fund $1,290.48
Sewer Fund $1,227.53
Garbage Fund $629.50
Lib Cap Impr $50.60
Library Fund $5,252.89 Library Reserve $20.00 Fire & Ambulance Fund $8,785.11 Fire & Ambulance Reserve $2,640.00
Park Fund $8,876.01
Franchise Tax $-
City Sign $43.50
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier August 15, 2024