Mayor Kay Gifford called the council meeting to order. Roll call showed councilmembers present were: Johanna Homan, Nancy Kuehl, Bruce Engelke and Tyler Draper. Absent: Patrick Nelson. Others present were: Nancy Hill, Richard Radtke, Elaine French, Steve and Wendy Koch, Chuck Kummerfeld, Sheri Drefke, Steve Rienfield, Mark Shriver, Rich Van Beek, and Amanda Vanderhoff

A motion was made by Kuehl seconded by Homan to approve the agenda, previous minutes, and clerk’s report. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.

Steve Rienfeld was present as a guest to ask council about purchasing the lot located at 103 Main Street. Council asked Steve to bring a bid for the property to the clerk.

Public comments: Steve Koch asked council when the speed sign would be installed on M12. He also expressed concern on the Jake braking on the same road.

Council reviewed the bills and asked a few questions. A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to pay the bills. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.

Economic Development did not hold a meeting in February. Spruce up Sutherland will follow the same timeline and rules as last year. Application will be due by April 22, 2024 and project completion and receipts need to be turned in by October 31, 2024.

Library report was given by Director Nancy Hill. Nancy read through the Director’s Report. The library will be hosting an Easter event at the fire station. A motion was made by Homan seconded by Engelke to approve Sue Draper to the library board. Absent: Nelson. Abstain: Draper. All in favor. Motion carried. The library board decided to repair the back door to be ADA complaint. The library board needs to get a quote that follows these guidelines.

Fire and Ambulance report was given by Chief Mark Shriver. There were 3 ambulance calls. They have a new volunteer member Fernando Rodriguez. The department is doing Fireman’s Bingo in April, but no date has been set. They have also been training on the ladder truck.

Officer Adam McQueen was absent for the police report. Mayor Gifford relayed he had 22 calls in February,

Communications and topics for discussion

A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Homan to set the date and time for the Property Tax Levy Hearing for April 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Kuehl to approve moving forward with the sale of Lot 1 of the William’s Addition to Foamworx Insulation aka Austin Brown. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried. Legal proceedings for this sale will start at the April meeting.

A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to Approve Resolution 2024-10: Resolution to Authorize the City of Sutherland to Revise Contract for Real Estate Owned by the City of Sutherland and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereof. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – 1,861,493 gallons. The Clerk presented council the ordinance on meter repairs.
Streets – Council asked Rich to start cold patching the potholes. M12 road construction projected to start in July.
Sanitation (sewer) – 3,111,000 gallons to the ponds.
Town Property – A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to approve R1 Excavating and Bird Seed bids to repair the tree stump holes. Roll call: Ayes – Homan, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
Park – Clerk will post job opening. A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve Kuehl to the park board. All in favor. Motion carried. The board asked Rich to paint the distances on the sidewalks. Mayor Gifford went over their budget for the year and ideas they have for the O’Brien County Community Foundation grant. They will be setting up a park clean-up day.
Weeds and Debris – The committee members will let the clerk know about properties that need letters.
Lights – No report.
Sanitary Service (garbage) – HHM Trailer will be scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2024 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Town Clean-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024.

A motion to adjourn was made by Engelke seconded by Homan. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff City Clerk
ATTEST: I, Amanda Vanderhoff, do hereby certify that I am the City Clerk of Sutherland, Iowa; further certify that the above and forgoing is a true copy of the City Council Minutes of the meeting held on _____________________.
In witness whereof, I have affixed my signature and the seal of said City hereto at Sutherland, Iowa this _ day of ____________________.
Amanda Vanderhoff – City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 14, 2024

Sutherland, Iowa
Bills 03/04/2024
GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $600.00
Marcus News
legals $213.07
Westel
serv $175.28 – Jan.
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
Bell-Times-Courier
subscription $32.50
Visual Edge IT
copier $10.69
POLICE
Verizon
cell $61.10
Westel
serv $37.93 – Jan.
IA Dept of Public Safety
fees $300.00
Car-Go
fuel $136.75
Zub’s
fuel $257.35
car wash $28.00
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $73.41
Verizon
cell $17.03
Westel
serv $39.31 – Jan.
Foundation
labs $77.25
UECO
equip $1,977.52
Osceola Rural
water $9,497.09 – Jan/Feb
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $107.60
Verizon
cell $17.04
GARBAGE
Town and Country
contract $5,826.70
NW IA Solid Waste
tonnage $984.48 – Jan.
PARK
Mid American
serv $33.77
BB $26.32
SL $10.00
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
serv $190.00
Westel
serv $70.29 – Jan.
Nancy Hill
mileage $24.00
Leaf
copier $121.90
Baker & Taylor
books $51.30
Amazon
spls $527.38
Bell-Times-Courier
subscription $32.50
Main Market
spls $16.76
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1,641.55
Shop $947.19
Verizon
cell $17.03
Westel
serv $149.32 – Jan.
Mark’s Pump Sales
labor $94.33
Napa
spls $35.97
Main Market
spls $16.76
Zub’s
fuel $257.35
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
serv $332.00
Verizon
service $40.01
Westel
serv $90.76 – Jan.
BV County
EMS Conference $60.00
CRMC
paramedic assist $175.00
Quick Med Claims
amb $13.22
BoundTree
spls $197.97
Zub’s
fuel $156.69
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OCEDC
fees $864.00
Ahlers & Cooney
fees $27.50
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,038.02 per month
AM $410.87 per month
TOTAL REVENUES $44,011.53
General Fund $4,243.68
Road Use Tax $6,477.66
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $43.97
Tax Inc. Finance $277.37
Police Fund $150.12
Community $8,617.81
Insurance $47.92
Employee Benefits $47.91
Water Fund $3,814.53 Sewer Fund $3,628.45 Garbage Fund $1,860.75 Lib Cap Impr $5.00 Library Fund $1,217.74 Library Reserve $20.00 Fire & Ambulance Fund $6,804.89 Fire & Ambulance Reserve $- Park Fund $753.61 Franchise Tax $5,981.62 City Sign $18.50 TOTAL EXPENSES $117,553.75
General Fund $4,041.68
Road Use Tax $69,207.21
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $4,685.90
Water Fund $8,501.34
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,942.97
Sewer Fund $2,330.74 Garbage Fund $6,811.18 Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $5,209.55 Fire & Ambulance Fund $3,053.55 $-
Park Fund $10,769.63 Emergency Fund $- Water Meter Project $-
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 14, 2024