City of Modale City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 The regular meeting of the Modale City Council was held on June 12, 2023. Mayor James Cox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present were Blair Adams, Terigene Tiffey, and Kathy Dugdale. Katie Offenbacker and Amber Larsen were absent. Visitors present were Tammy and Johnny Cooperrider, Emma Aldrich, Carl & Linda Anderson, Jay Gerke, Susan Kirlin, Kent Beebe, Chris Skinner, Milo Tiffey, and Elissa Kappes Staff present were Linda Windschitl, Marty Skinner and Shauna Gerke Consent Agenda: Tiffey questioned whether or not they had agreed to stop putting $50 per month into the Fun Days account and put that into the Anniversary account. Gerke was going to review the previous minutes and check with Offenbacker. Tiffey also reported they were going to get a separate Fun Days account for donations. Adams made a motion to approve the consent Agenda. Tiffey seconded; motion carried with a 3-0 vote. Public Works: Marty is waiting on bids for handicap accessible parking and door closures. The environmental testing price will increase 6%. We typically pay between $12 and $35 now. The potholes will be fixed on East Anderson, by the Fire Hall. Dugdale asked what “no trucks” downtown meant. Marty says it is intended to mean dump trucks, straight trucks, semi trucks, etc. It is not intended to mean pickup trucks. Tank installation was discussed and the Council requested Marty get installation bids. A bid is needed for any work over $500.00. Building Permits were discussed for Kirlin’s building, Cooperrider’s fence and Kappes fence (modified to back pasture only). All were approved. Randy Wendt’s request will be moved to the July meeting. Marty feels soil tests are coming back good. Mowing issues were discussed. Brian Morrow needs an abatement letter regarding mowing the ditch on his property. Marty will provide a list to Gerke of letters that are needed. When is the port-a-potty being delivered to the park? Gerke will converse with Linda about getting one ordered. Sewer Lagoon: An Application for payment was submitted in the amount of $258,725.85. Tiffey made a motion to approve the payment of said Application, Dugdale seconded the motion. Motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Citizen Inquiries: Kirlin shared her concerns about the care of some of the properties on North Main Street. Andersons reported the properties in question don’t affect them until they drive by them. Kappes explained they are trying to get grass to grow on part of the yard, which is why it hasn’t been mowed frequently so far this year. Cox stated he will start sending out abatement letters next week for animal, junk cars, mowing, food and tack violations on the Kappes property, as well as other properties in town. James will provide a list to Gerke. Once an abatement letter is received, they will have 30 days to correct the violation. After 30 days, a fine of $10 per day will be assessed until the issue is resolved to the Council’s satisfaction. Tiffey made a motion to instill the aforementioned fine and timetable. Dugdale seconded the motion. Motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Library: Chris Skinner reported they had 61 circulation, 129 folks through the door and 26 for iPad usage. They had their final adult night with 7 participants. The summer reading program had 17 kids show up on the first night. The pony rides and petting zoo were postponed due to lighting; the event was moved to June 14th. They are discussing a movie night, as well as applying for a grant for a small printer; and they are preparing for raffles in the fall. They are also considering a Christmas in July cookie sale fundraiser, as well as planning a float for the Fun Days event. There is an outdoor mat that needs resealing outside the door, Marty will complete. The Green Dot reload listed twice on 5/4 needs to be updated – one of those is for the pony rides. Kirlin thanked the Library for involving the business in their events. Fire Department: Kent Beebe reported they have one (1) gal who will be attending EMT training. They haven’t used the phone in three (3) years and would like the charges to be removed from their books. The seals Demco installed on the fire truck pump a couple of months ago failed after the first use, which was expected. They are in desperate need of a new truck. Funding was discussed again. Ordinances: Larsen submitted suggestions. Dugdale made a motion to table this item to a special meeting, Tiffey seconded. Motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Gerke reported the Fraud training was completed and a progress update was given on the work in the apartment above the PO. Dugdale reported Shotwell Glass provided a bid for the doors and windows in the Legion Hall to be $9107. Adams made a motion to accept the bid, Tiffey seconded. Motion carried on a 3-0 vote. There were no bids received regarding City Hall’s modifications. Cox will reach out to Wilwerding Construction to get a bid on the office window. A discussion was had regarding the bench and the slide sitting outside of City Hall. The water rate study information was submitted to the Iowa Rural Water Association for review. Tiffey made a motion to commit to the Residential Propane Automatic Fuel Delivery Program moving forward. Dugdale seconded. Motion carried on a 3-0 vote. There were no additional items to add to next month’s agenda. Adams made a motion to adjourn. Dugdale seconded the motion; motion carried with a 3-0 vote. Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. James Cox, Mayor Shauna Gerke, Deputy City Clerk These minutes are as recorded by the City Clerk and are subject to Council approval at the next regular meeting. Full copies of these minutes will be available at City Hall. Minutes can be sent via email. May 2023 Expenses Name, Account, Amount Ace Hardware, water, sewer, city hall, parks, roads, library, fire $157.59 Midwest Labs, sewer $382.05 Sundquist Engineering, sewer $12,759.05 Shotwell Glass, post office $168.06 Hawkins, water $543.89 Windstream, water, sewer, city hall, parks, roads, library, fire $468.00 Waste Connections, city hall $146.62 Heartland Coop, city hall, water, sewer, park, roads $1,698.86 Old Republic Surety, sewer $187.00 Heartland Coop, fire department $400.22 Vetter Equip, water $55.34 Siouxland Dist. Health, water $24.00 MidAmerican Energy, water, sewer, city hall, parks, roads, library, fire $816.94 Shauna Gerke, general $16.26 Echo, water $800.00 Harrison Co Sheriff, general $1,450.00 Armodus, LLC, sewer $236,730.50 Linda Windschitl, general $472.31 General Fire Safety, fire department $349.20 SWIPCO, general $1,000.00 General Fire Safety, general $273.25 USDA, sewer $1,437.00 Diane Pratt, library $900.00 Bomgaars, water, roads $24.75 AM Electric, general, water $482.92 Jennifer Skinner, library $125.46 MVTN, general $244.20 Amazon, library $211.39 Shauna Gerke, wages $700.31 Diane Pratt, wages $481.27 Alvin Schiltz, wages $892.93 Marty Skinner, wages $1,754.47 Linda Windschitl, wages $691.11 IRS, water, sewer, city hall, parks, roads, library, fire $852.76 IPERS, water, sewer, city hall, parks, roads, library, fire $1,462.42 TOTAL EXPENSES $269,160.13 May 2023 Revenues Water Fund $3,663.27 Local Option Sales Tax $2,813.04 Sewer Fund $4,320.85 General Fund $8,647.50 Road Use Tax $1,747.45 TOTAL REVENUES $21,192.11 MVTN 6-21-23
