Sutherland, Iowa City Council Meeting – September 9, 2024 – 7:00 PM – 110 Ash Street – Meeting Room
Mayor Kay Gifford called the council meeting to order. Roll call showed councilmembers present were: Patrick Nelson, Nancy Kuehl, Johanna Homan, Bruce Engelke, and Tyler Draper. Others present were: Mari Radtke, Mark Shriver, Nancy Hill, Isaac Cruz, Dennis Fogelman, Rich Van Beek, Brent Koppie and Amanda Vanderhoff.
A motion was made by Homan seconded by Kuehl to approve the agenda, previous minutes, and clerk’s reports. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
Guests: Isaac Cruz from Cruz Electric presented council with his assessment from MidAmerican Energy for the city-owned lighting upgrade. The city does qualify for rebates. Council asked a few questions.
Public comments: Councilmember Engelke was asked about the wood pile at 220 W Southern Street. The clerk will call the property owner.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to pay current bills. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
Economic Development Report was given by Nelson. The powerlines, ditch and sewer hookups at the William’s Addition were discussed. MidAmerican sees no reason for the powerlines to be moved or buried for the development of the lots. The board will discuss the additional questions on the ditches and the sewer hookups at their October meeting. The clerk will call to get estimates on those potential projects. A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Nelson to donate the goal posts to the South O’Brien School District. All in favor. Motion carried.
Library Report was given by Library Director Nancy Hill. The library had a very busy summer. 64 kids participated in the June summer reading program, 317 people attended the Bluey event, and 175 people attended the 100th year celebration on Labor Day. Nancy is continuing the after school early out program on Wednesdays and plans to have a Halloween Party sometime in October. The library board is looking for a new member. A motion was made by Homan seconded by Draper to hire Lisa Olson to the housekeeping position. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
Fire and Ambulance report was given by Chief Mark Shriver. There were 6 ambulance and 1 fire/rescue calls. The fire department is bringing the ladder truck to the Homecoming parade on September 12th. The water fights at the park on Labor Day were well attended. The department will raffle off the quilt at the next Fireman’s Bingo. O’Brien County Supervisors approved the usage of the ambulance county allocation for call coverage reimbursement.
Police Report was given by Chief Brent Koppie. Chief Koppie thanked the fire department for the use of the UTV during the Labor Day weekend. He said there were a few citations given but no major incidents over Labor Day. The police department has been focusing on the speed issues on M12, school bus patrols, researching body cams, and a new scheduling system. Chief Koppie has been able to go to a couple ambulance assists and attended the fire and ambulance meeting. There are a couple officers interested in joining the department as EMT’s. He is almost finished with the city code review. All new officers are up to date on qualifications.
Communications and topics for discussion:
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke to approve the Snowtrackers snowmobile route. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded Engelke to the set date for public hearing for the amendment to FY25 Budget for October 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm. All in favor. Motion carried.
Council would like to review the information provided by MidAmerican/Cruz Electric for the lighting update before they make a decision. It has been tabled until October.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve the bid date for the Industrial Park for October 7, 2024. All in favor. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water: 1,890,636 gallons in at tower. The DNR report is due in October.
Streets: Rich has been patching the streets.
Sanitation: 2,410,000 gallons into the ponds. Rich is done discharging the ponds.
Town Property: The cylinders on the snow plow need repaired.
Park: The new slide has been delivered. The clerk will get a copy of the instructions to Councilmember Draper.
Weed and Debris: The clerk will call/send out letters to the properties that were discussed.
Lights: There might be an issue with the speed sign on Waterman Street.
Sanitary Landfill: No report.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Nelson to adjourn. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier Sept. 19, 2024

JULY TOTAL EXPENSES $40,748.34
General Fund $4,144.25
Road Use Tax $3,777.07
Economic Development $864.00
Insurance $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $3,196.62
Water Fund $7,869.19
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $1,405.37
Sewer Fund $4,839.14 Garbage Fund $6,986.76
Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $4,264.45
Fire & Ambulance Fund $3,105.77
$-
Park Fund $295.72 Emergency Fund $- Water Meter Project $-
JULY TOTAL REVENUES $117,282.70
General Fund $3,895.15
Road Use Tax $7,157.03
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $386.35
Tax Inc. Finance $2,079.07
Police Fund $1,430.81
Community $6,957.89
Insurance $456.70
Employee Benefits $456.71
Water Fund $48,809.62
Sewer Fund $27,661.48
Garbage Fund $14,185.38
Lib Cap Impr $47.70
Library Fund $1,022.24
Library Reserve $120.00
Fire & Ambulance Fund $797.94
Fire & Ambulance Reserve $575.00 Park Fund $1,236.13
Franchise Tax $-
City Sign $7.50
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier Sept. 19, 2024
AUGUST TOTAL EXPENSES $65,005.46
General Fund $5,770.57
Road Use Tax $5,878.61
Economic Development $8,700.00
Insurance $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $4,969.89
Water Fund $9,869.54
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,129.01
Sewer Fund $4,676.50
Garbage Fund $8,938.67
Lib Cap Impr $-
Library Fund $8,529.50 Fire & Ambulance Fund $4,973.66 $-
Park Fund $569.51
Emergency Fund $-
Water Meter Project $-
AUGUST TOTAL REVENUES $35,796.42
General Fund $4,658.36
Road Use Tax $6,605.86
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $1.56
Tax Inc. Finance $-
Police Fund $40.80
Community $8,735.05
Insurance $10.91
Employee Benefits $5.94
Water Fund $3,290.72
Sewer Fund $2,892.39
Garbage Fund $1,483.27
Lib Cap Impr $-
Library Fund $1,132.38
Library Reserve $20.00
Fire & Ambulance Fund $-
Fire & Ambulance Reserve $200.00
Park Fund $575.94
Franchise Tax $6,102.74
City Sign $40.50
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier Sept. 19, 2024