Discussion Over Road Work Is Part Of Council Meeting
Oskaloosa City Hall
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The first item for business of the Oskaloosa City Council, beyond the invocation, pledge of allegiance and roll call, was the adoption of the consent agenda.
Four items were separated from the consent agenda for further discussion. Those items pulled for further discussion were:
-Consider a resolution authorizing the use of public funds to aid economic development.
-Consider a motion approving pay request No. 1 to Norris Asphalt Paving Co. in the amount of $157,100.50 for work completed on the South 7th Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
-Consider a resolution approving 28E agreements for law enforcement personnel during RAGBRAI 2013.
-Consider a resolution accepting the quitclaim deed from Lisa Evans for real property generally located at 1212 & 1214 1st Avenue West, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
-Consider a resolution approving a purchase agreement for real estate located at 902 6th Avenue West.
During the discussion over the resolution authorizing the use of public funds to aid economic development, Councilmember Tom Walling was asking if there was improvement on economic development. “I don’t have a problem with the chamber heading it, and I support the chamber wholly,” but was curious as to what happened with committee work to do something different. “If it is happening, I’m not aware of it.”
Walling is aware of some dedicated work by community members, he just wanted to bring the topic back up for further discussion.
Oskaloosa City Manger Micheal Schrock said that the economic development group is still in the process of searching for and hiring an executive director.
The motion passed.
During the discussion for payment to Norris Asphalt, Councilmember Aaron Ver Steeg expressed concerns about some repairs that were made to new aprons. Ver Steeg said that TK Concrete drove over the new portions of cement “and apparently broke them up again.” Ver Steeg was concerned that “instead of fixing and repairing the whole thing and replacing them, they just patched ’em.”
Ver Steeg added that he inspected some of the repairs, “and they look alright, and they might be alright, but we’ve had a lot of trouble with TK”, saying the motion for payment should be tabled, “until somebody goes down and looks at them again. Make sure these things are going to hold up.”
City Manager Micheal Schrock said that the contractor has been informed about it and that City Engineer Akhilesh Pal has spoken with them, “and the method for fixing them has been approved by staff.”
The work completed has a two year warranty, “and we don’t expect that to fail,” Schrock said.
Ver Steegh and Van Zetten voted no while the remainder voted yes to proceed with payment.
Discussion over the resolution concerning 28E agreements to provide additional law enforcement officers during the stop over for RAGBRAI in July was next.
The following law enforcement agencies have agreed to supply law enforcement; New Sharon, Pella, Ottumwa, Fairfield, Marion County, Keokuk County and Keokuk County Conservation Board. The agencies will bare of providing the additional coverage. In turn, Oskaloosa will help provide the same when an opportunity arises, such as assisting Fairfield when RAGBRAI arrives in their town the following night, or when the Knoxville Nationals are happening.
Councilmember Tom Walling wanted to know the cost associated with doing the 28E agreements. City Attorney Dave Dixon said that there was no additional cost for his work on the agreements because he is on retainer by the city. Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee told the council that the time his officers would spend assisting other departments would also be overtime free. In all, 14 different agencies will be working in law enforcement in Oskaloosa during RAGBRAI’s overnight stay. This includes 5 state agencies.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion of the quit claim deed involved debate if the value of the properties would be sufficient value to satisfy the debt incurred by the Oskaloosa Housing Trust fund in loans.
The abstracts for the properties are provided with the properties, potentially saving the city approximately $2,000.
“So on balance, it is a good deal, I don’t know what we can realize for the lots,” Oskaloosa City Attorney Dave Dixon explained.
Once again, the motion passed unanimously.
The discussion concerning the purchase agreement for 902 6th Avenue West, which will be returned to green space and then the city will approach the neighboring property owner to see if they would be interested in acquiring it. The purchase agreement of $13,000 was tentatively reached by the parties, with final approval by the city council needed.
The owner of the property is going to move the mobile home off the property so that the city won’t have to deal with the disposal.
Councilmember Aaron Ver Steeg believes the property isn’t worth $13,000 and doesn’t believe that anyone will build on the property.
The purpose of acquiring the property is to remove an eyesore. Councilmember Ver Steeg was the only dissenting vote on the purchase agreement.
On to the regular agenda items, Mayor Krutzfeldt went through the current vacancies on the boards and commissions within the city. Those positions open are on the Building Code Board of Appeals, Library Board and Enterprise Zone Commission.
The council then passed the 3rd reading of an ordinance amending the zoning of the property located at 202 south 11th Street from R-2, Urban Family Residential, to CC, or Community Commercial District.
The council then unanimously passed the resolution adopting the proposal for employee life insurance from National Insurance Services, and health insurance from Sun Life Financial with First Administrators Inc. as the administrator for the city. Select First Pro and the flex plan will be also administered by First Administrators Inc, for the fiscal year of 2014.
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock gave his report to the council. Schrock highlighted the road projects that have been completed, and those that are ongoing. He also spoke about the regional airport project and its current status.
Among other transportation items discussed, Schrock updated the council on the Highway 63 project and the northwest by-pass that should be completed in 5 to 7 years by the Iowa DOT.
The council then went into closed session under Iowa Code Section 21.5.1.i.
When the council returned from closed session, they had a new contract for City Manager Michael Schrock with an increase in salary of 6.05% for a yearly salary of $111,000 per year.
The council also awarded a performance bonus of $4,000 that is payable immediately. Schrock will now pay a portion of his own insurance coverage, similar as other city employees.
After the board’s approval of the new contact, a motion to adjourn passed.
The next Oskaloosa City Council meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2013 in the City Council Chamber of City Hall.
