The regular meeting of the Modale City Council was held on October 9, 2023. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Dugdale called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Councilmembers present were Blair Adams and Terigene Tiffey. Mayor James Cox, Councilmembers Amber Larsen and Katie Offenbacker were absent. Visitors present were Troy Groth, Chris Skinner, Jason Pavlik and Corbin Pavlik. Staff present were Shauna Gerke and Linda Windschitl. Consent Agenda: Tiffey requested the Fun Days account information be updated. Tiffey made a motion to approve and Adams seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Public Works: Gerke requested the purchase of a new location tool on Skinner’s behalf. Windstream is doing a major fiber project in the city and exact locations will be necessary. Tiffey made a motion to approve the purchase, Adams seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Adams inquired about the storm drain to the north of Decarlo Diner. Gerke will follow up with Skinner. Sewer Lagoon: Troy reported there was more sludge than anticipated in one of the cells, so they are waiting on change order approval from Rural Development to move forward. Due to this change order, a grant extension will have to be made, so Gerke will update the drafted letter previously shared with the Council and get that sent off. An Application for payment was submitted in the amount of $97,446.40. Tiffey made a motion to approve the change order in the amount of $75,000 upon concurrence by Rural Development as well as to approve the payment of said Application, Adams seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Citizen Inquiries: The $100 donation to the Legion for Santa was motioned by Adams, Tiffey seconded. Motion passed 3-0. The propane leak Michael Hansen reported near his home during the 9/11 meeting was confirmed to be fixed before the meeting started. Gerke reported a citizen inquired about the process to become a write-in candidate for city council. She had contacted Susan Bonham at the Auditors office and confirmed there is one seat open for a write-in candidate, and the only action required on their part is to spread the word and let everyone know both the first and last name needs to be clearly printed on the write-in line. There have been several complaints about sidewalks and traffic views being blocked by citizens parking at the Main and Martin intersection. It was recommended that the no parking signs be moved in those areas. There have also been several complaints about golf carts being used at night without proper lighting, flagging and licensed drivers operating the cart. A citizen inquired if the city had any objection to a Christmas event downtown. The Council has no say if they are using public right of way. Library: Chris Skinner reported for the library. Their fall festival is scheduled for November 18th from 10-2. They requested a $75 donation to their Halloween event being held on the 31st from 5-715 or until the treats are gone. Tiffey made a motion to approve the donation, Dugdale seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Fire Department: Jason Pavlik gave an update. He put in a grant request for a new fire truck. Ordinances: There was some language missing from item #6 on page 131. This matter was tabled until the November meeting. Rent has not been paid on the apartment. Gerke will contact the City’s attorney to start the eviction process. The liquor/alcohol license for Decarlo Diner was presented. Dugdale made a motion to approve and Tiffey seconded. Motion carried 3-0. Adams confirmed the fence was down on the Shaughnessy property. This matter has been resolved. Gerke requested permission to attend a budget workshop being held by the Iowa League of Cities in November. Dugdale made a motion to approve the fee, Adams seconded. Motion carried 3-0. Dugdale suggested we have a fall clean up date. A tentative date of October 28th was set. Windschitl will contact the Landfill to schedule a dumpster for that date. Gerke will ask Skinner to mount the monitor on the north wall in the Council chambers. Items discussed, but no action taken: 23-24 cigarette permits, Clerks are training on new water billing software and new meters are beginning to be installed. Business Continuity plan deadlines, monthly due date list and borrow pit. A letter we received from Harrison County REC regarding zoning was shared, as well as fundraisers and grant application ideas. If anyone is interested in heading up and bringing the Crime Stoppers program to Modale, please contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Items for next month’s agenda: dogs running loose. Adams made a motion to adjourn. Tiffey seconded the motion; motion carried with a 3-0 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Dugdale adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Kathy Dugdale, Mayor Pro Tem Shauna Gerke, Deputy 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. August 2023 Expenses Name; Account; Amount Armodus; Sewer; $513,015.69 Hawkins; Water; $560.79 Windstream IA Comm.; Sewer; $216.44 Windstream IA Comm.; City Hall; $327.42 Windstream IA Comm.; Library; $521.54 Heartland Coop; Fire Deparment; $524.02 Heartland Coop; City Hall, Water, Sewer, Streets, and Parks; $1,219.31 Katie Offenbacker; General; $22.52 Kevin Cox; General; $350.00 Amazon; City Hall; $212.46 Moores Portables; Parks; $140.00 MidAmerican Energy; City Hall, Water, Sewer, Streets, Parks, Library and Fire; $921.31 Vetter Equip; Water; $103.67 Sundquist; Sewer; $8,586.80 Terigene Tiffey; Modale Fun Day; $1,230.00 Outdoor Recreation; Parks; $431.00 Hach; Water; $209.98 Outdoor Recreation; Parks; $17,628.30 SWIPCO; General; $5,000.00 Amber Larsen; Modale Fun Day; $47.08 Veenstra & Kimm; Water; $326.00 Mo Valley Times-News; General; $176.09 Main Street Checks; General; $99.06 Blair Ace Hardware; City Hall, Water, Sewer, Streets, Parks, Library and Fire; $60.94 Certified Testing; Sewer; $2,473.00 IDR; Water; $4,111.76 Shauna Gerke; Wages; $456.55 Diane Pratt; Wages; $352.22 Alvin Schiltz; Wages; $585.28 Marty Skinner; Wages; $1,942.76 Linda Windschitl; Wages; $954.59 IRS; City Hall, Water, Sewer, Streets, Parks, Library and Fire; $1,467.66 IPERS; City Hall, Water, Sewer, Streets, Parks, Library and Fire; $844.16 USDA; Sewer; $1,437.00 Amazon; Library; $290.20 TOTAL EXPENSES; $566,845.60 August 2023 Revenues Water Fund; $2,864.41 Local Option Sales Tax; $2,453.27 Sewer Fund; $564,865.38 General Fund; $19,655.79 Road Use Tax; $2,199.56 TOTAL REVENUES; $592,038.41 MVTN 10-18-23
