MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILDECEMBER 8, 2003 – 6:00 P.M.Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers and Dana Dahlquist. Absent: Councilman Arlen Leenderts. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer, Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guest present: Brenda Winter-Hills Crescent.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve of the November 11th minutes, with a correction in the description for an access easement. The easement does not angle to the alley, but from the southwest corner of Kelly’s Roadhouse Bar go south for a width of 15’ and straight west to the alley. Also, pay out any accumulated vacation prior to 2003, at the 2002 wage; and any current years accumulated vacation at the 2003 wage. Payments to be made by December 31st. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT:Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve payment of the November expenditures: General $5,717.62; Park $1,484.20; Fire $2,289.30; Street $2,482.38; Legion $681.76; Barbershop $35.34; Sewer $1,503.76; Garbage $1,824.58; Recycling $458.00; Water $4,749.44; Baseball $69.55; Softball $0.00; Civil Defense $0.00. Motion carried.General Checking 34,413.01General Fund CD#17947, 2.5%, 12/2/03 234,392.53General Fund CD#$17760, 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,477.61Sewer Fund CD#18171, 1.0%, 1/18/04 30,070.57Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#17710, 1.75%, 1/13/04 20,051.31Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 1,964.56Hills EDA Checking 4,308.28Southern Hills Apts. Account 5,716.66Southern Hills CD#17759, 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,119.40EDA CD#17850, 2.5%, 5/7/05 27,963.43EDA CD#17268, 1.75%, 1/26/04 10,538.57EDA CD#18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,000.00TOTAL 415,015.93Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to file a lien against the owner of a mobile home for past due utilities. Motion carried. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. Christmas tree pickup is scheduled for January 5th – 9th. Trees must be placed at the curb. After January 9th, residents are responsible for hauling trees to the compost pile. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to adopt a Resolution Amending the City’s Elderly Housing Revenue Note, for the Tuff Assisted Living Apartments. The City is not financially obligated, but the City’s passage of this Resolution is necessary in order for the Tuff Home to have their interest rate reduced on a Note from 6.50% to 4.50%. Dahlquist abstained. Motion carried. The Council discussed complaints regarding the speed of snowmobiles in the ditch between Rebecca Avenue and County Highway Six. These complaints have been reported to the Rock County Sheriff’s office. The Council passed a Resolution regarding fines for picking up dogs that habitually run at large. The first offense is $25. Thereafter, the fines double for each offense that a dog is picked up by the City.Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of building permits for Derek Bundesen and Rodney Verhey for new home constructions, and to waive water and sewer tapping fees. Motion carried. The Council discussed an inquiry for the City to sell the empty lot north of the hardware store for the construction of a pole building, in comparison to the appearance of the newer existing buildings. The Council tabled discussion until the January meeting. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to begin charging Ryan Burgers $10 a month rent, for allowing his mobile home on city-owned property located at the end of South Church Avenue. Motion carried.The City’s Truth-in-Taxation meeting is scheduled for December 9th at 6:00 P.M. Remind the Fire Department to replace the flag at the fire hall.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to adjourn at 6:45 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(12-31)
