MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILFEBRUARY 14, 2006Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Pete Hoff, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: from the Hills Fire Department-Jeff Bass, Jared Rozeboom, and Mark Top; from Martin Township-Dave Swanson, Alan Nuffer, and Gawaine Diekevers; from Clarey’s Safety Equipment-Mike Ohliger; from Hills Crescent-Lexi Moore. Also present Tom and Elizabeth Ranfranz, and George Reining. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to approve the minutes of January 10th. Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Hoff to approve payment of the January expenditures: General $6,721.68; Park $739.87; Fire $37.65; Street $1,661.83; Legion $368.29; Sewer $1,016.99; Garbage $1,949.82; Recycling $2.00; Water $3,753.98; Law Enforcement $9,746.50. Motion carried. General Checking 68,341.66General Fund CD#18924, 3.55%, 6/9/05 (prev. #18614) 251,002.85General Fund CD#19056 (prev. #188764) 4.25%, 9/15/06 122,287.95Fire Truck Replacement CD#19200, 4.15%, 12/9/06 3,000.00Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 436.83Hills EDA Checking — Acct # 1248 679.14Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 0.00EDA CD#18870, 3.25%, 5/7/06 76,869.87EDA CD#19164, 2%, 3/14/06 40,300.00EDA CD#19165, 4.25%, 11/15/06 138,000.00Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve the transfer of $4,785 from EDA CD#19164 to EDA checking; and to renew EDA CD#19164 on March 15th for 11 months at 4.15% interest; and approved the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. Ward informed the Council of his work to locate water service lines on each parcel. The Council discussed to have this information inserted on plats, to be updated by DGR, but to obtain a cost proposal prior to that platting. Jeff Bass, Jared Rozeboom and Mark Top of the Hills Fire Department, and Mike Ohliger of Clarey’s Safety Equipment, Inc. appeared to discuss a $3,850 discrepancy in Clarey’s billing for air pack supplies. Following the discussion, the City and Martin Township offered to split the difference with Clarey’s Equipment in order to resolve the matter. Mike Ohliger agreed to that offer. The City and Martin Township will be responsible for a total of $1,925; and Clarey’s will pick up $1,925. The City Council and Martin Township reviewed the 2007 proposed Fire Department budget. The proposed budget included $910 for salaries; $5,000-insurance; $5,700-operating supplies; $2,200-repairs; $2,000-physicals; $1,700 training; $2,500-fuel; $500-dues; $1,600-phone and electricity; $200-license; $5,000-relief association contributions; $3,000-truck replacement fund; $3,000-clothing, grant writing, miscellaneous. The 2007 proposed budget total is $31,585, compared to $23,700 for the 2006 budget. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Hoff to approve the 2007 proposed budget as submitted. Martin Township agreed to approve also. The City of Hills and Martin Township agreed to allow the old fire gear to be donated to area Fire Departments. The City and Township agreed to allow the Fire Department to apply for grants, only if supplies are needed, but to keep the City and Township up-to-date on any costs involved, prior to the submission of such grants. The City of Hills and Martin Township discussed Fire Contracts for the City of Steen and Clinton Township. Following discussion, it was suggested to charge the City of Steen $3,000, and Clinton Township $6,737.50. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to approve these rates. Martin Township agreed to approve also. Motion carried. The City Council inquired about any and all fire department funds that must be transferred to the City and Martin Township, per requirements by the State Auditor’s Office; and as previously discussed between the City’s auditors and Fire Department Officers. The fire department members informed the Council and Township that there is no money left, and that their checking account has been closed. Tom and Elizabeth Ranfranz appeared to request permission to construct a 6’ wood privacy fence along the south and east sides of their property, which has been surveyed. In the future, they plan to fence in their entire backyard. Motion Elbers, seconded by Metzger to approve the fence, pending Ranfranz complete a building permit application and attach a copy of their plans as presented. Motion carried. George Reining received the City’s request to have all the debris removed from his house burn, including the entire foundation and basement flooring. Reining inquired whether the Council would allow the removal of two to three feet of foundation below ground level, and fill in the remaining foundation. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Hoff to stay with the Council’s initial agreement, that all debris be removed from the property, including the entire foundation and cement basement floor. Motion carried. Reining estimated the cleanup to take up until April 1, 2006. Council approved the timeline. The Council will obtain cost proposals to replace a hot water heater in the Legion, and for sidewalk replacement east of Main Avenue for one block. Electrical outlets and exit signs will be added and replaced in the Hills American Legion auditorium. The Council approved to have one block of Main Avenue blocked off on June 9th and 10th for Car Club and Friendship Day activities. The Council approved Rock County’s Hazardous Mitigation Plan with no changes or additions. Due to township elections, the City’s regular March meeting is rescheduled for Monday, March 6th at 6:00 P.M.The City’s Board of Review meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9th at 6:30 P.M.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Hoff to refund utility deposits to Jon and Tedra Voss and Rod and Starla Scholten. Motion carried. No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(2-23)
