Sutherland, Iowa City Council Meeting – December 4, 2023 – 7:00 PM – 110 Ash Street – Meeting Room

Mayor Kay Gifford called the Council Meeting to order. Roll call showed council members present were: Johanna Homan, Tyler Draper, Chase Cox, Bruce Engelke, and Patrick Nelson. Others present were: Mark Shriver, Nancy Kuehl, Mari Radtke, Rich Van Beek, Adam McQueen, and Amanda Vanderhoff.
Mayor Gifford presented Chase Cox with a certificate of appreciation.
Mayor Pro Tem Cox administered the Oath of Office to the new councilmembers – Bruce Engelke, Patrick Nelson, and Nancy Kuehl.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Homan to approve the agenda, previous minutes, and clerk’s report. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Draper, Cox, Engelke, and Nelson. All in favor. Motion carried.
No Guests.
No Public Comments.
Council asked a few questions on the bills. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to pay the bills. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Draper, Cox, Engelke, and Nelson. All in favor. Motion carried.
Economic Development Report was given by Chase Cox. The Board is working on new FY25 projects. They also discussed ideas to support more local businesses. These programs would benefit more effectively than just the store front loan they currently provide. The board would like to hire someone to estimate the cost of hooking up the water and sewer to the new lots. They elected new officers: President: Patrick Nelson, Vice President: Sharon Flinders and Secretary: Doug Sweeney/Andy Jacobs.
Director Nancy Hill was not present but provided council with her report.
Fire and Ambulance Report was given by Chief Mark Shriver. They had 8 ambulance calls and 0 fire calls. At their next meeting they will discuss what to do with the grass attack that is being stored at the maintenance building, raising the cost of renting the station, and hold elections.
Officer Adam McQueen read through his police report. He had 10 calls and 14 traffic stops. The O’Brien County Engineer Office installed a new 35 mph speed sign on M12. The larger sign is positioned closer to the curve and has red flags on it.
Communications and topics for discussion:
A motion was made by Homan seconded by Engelke to approve the liquor license for Main Market. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Cox to approve the appointments of Jill Jurgensen, Rebecca Webster, Ed Johannsen, Liz Peters, and Johanna Homan to the RL Johannsen Board. All in favor. Motion carried.
The city clerk went over the new budget system.
The budget workshop will be held on December 19th at 6:00 pm.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded Homan to set the council meeting and budget amendment for January 2, 2024. All in favor. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – 1,778,178 gallons in at the tower. Rich will get the hydrant repair list to the clerk.
Streets – Council member Cox said he had some complaints on the amount of gravel on the roads.
Sanitation (sewer) – 2,110,000 gallons into the ponds. There are woodchucks digging at the lagoons.
Town Property – Schwebach Tree Service plans to be in town for the tree removals at the beginning of the year.
Park – A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Homan to set the date to open bids for snow removal at the park to December 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm.
Weeds and Debris – No Report.
Lights – No Report.
Sanitary Service (garbage) – Meeting minutes from Northwest IA Solid Waste are delayed.
A motion was made by Homan 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 Dec. 14, 2023

NOVEMBER TOTAL REVENUES $74,096.63
General Fund $4,209.61
Road Use Tax $6,962.46
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $2,758.83
Tax Inc. Finance $10,844.93
Police Fund $10,726.79
Community $8,204.74
Insurance $3,423.90
Employee Benefits $3,423.90
Water Fund $3,621.15
Sewer Fund $3,444.51
Garbage Fund $1,766.41
Lib Cap Impr $357.56
Library Fund $1,204.32
Library Reserve $5,059.00
Fire & Ambulance Fund $352.37
Fire & Ambulance Reserve $300.00 Park Fund $762.80
Franchise Tax $6,610.85
City Sign $62.50
TOTAL EXPENSES $51,002.61
General Fund $4,433.06
Road Use Tax $4,356.14
Economic Development $3,023.60
Franchise Tax $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $4,466.96
Water Fund $8,243.40
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,997.65
Sewer Fund $11,240.15
Garbage Fund $7,073.52
Lib Cap Impr $225.00
Library Fund $3,201.46
Fire & Ambulance Fund $1,615.86
$-
Park Fund $125.81
Emergency Fund $-
Water Meter Project $-
Sutherland, Iowa
Bills 12/04/2023
GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $600.00
Marcus News
legals $439.84
Smith, Gregg, Shea, & Klinker
fees $1,343.13
O’Brien Co Auditor
election $933.27
Visual Edge IT
copier $23.63
Iowa League of Cities
workshop $50.00
Westel
serv $177.58 – Oct.
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
POLICE
Verizon
cell $61.09
Westel
serv $37.92 – Oct.
Police Legal Services
class $160.00
Zub’s
fuel $190.43
Carwash $28.00
o/c $58.31
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $51.99
Verizon
cell $17.03
Foundation
labs $16.50
ULINE
spls $43.38
Westel
serv $39.30 – Oct.
Security State Bank
loan rural water $10,495.92
Osceola Rural
water $4,725.71
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $137.86
Verizon
cell $17.03
Foundation
labs $154.25
ULINE
spls $43.37
State Revolving Loan
lagoon $6,273.75
$673.75
Puhrmann Excavating
repairs $1,000.00
GARBAGE
Town and Country
contract $5,826.70
PARK
Mid American
serv $34.74
BB $34.52
SL $10.00
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
serv $216.00
Baker & Taylor
books $151.00
Leaf
copier fee $136.59
Amazon
spls $285.36
Westel
serv $71.38 – Oct.
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1,640.86
Shop $298.77
Verizon
cell $17.03
ULINE
spls $43.38
Westel
serv $149.96 – Oct.
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $50.99
Napa Auto Parts
spls $61.99
Zub’s
fuel $478.07
tires $2,534.55
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
serv $123.21
Verizon
service $40.01
Westel
serv $90.75 – Oct.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center assist $175.00
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,038.02 per month
AM $410.87 per month
DEBT SERVICE
Security State Bank
Streets $12,000.00
Security State Bank
TIF $28,000.00
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ahlers & Cooney
2nd proceedings $127.00
IMWCA
work comp $707.00
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier Dec. 14, 2023