MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILMARCH 22, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Arlen Leenderts, Dana Dahlquist and Keith Elbers. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests present: Damon Eisma, Sue Stueven, Shelly Van Westen, Mike Sandager, Leonard Leenderts, Stan Van Wyhe, Roger Jackson, Ed Gehrke, Arlen Gehrke, Justin Hinks, and Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the minutes of February 10th and March 8th. Motion carried.Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of the February expenditures: General $5,838.14; Park $1,273.16; Fire $1,385.23; Street $3,148.91; Legion $643.87; Sewer $1,318.72; Garbage $1,873.53; Recycling $526.03; Water $4,344.93; Baseball $11.53. Motion carried. The Hills City Council meeting was recessed at 6:08 P.M. in order to open the Hills EDA public hearing. Council reconvened at 6:20 P.M.TREASURER’S REPORT:General Checking 103,185.64General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 237,314.41General Fund CD#17760, 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,735.68Sewer Fund CD#18255, 1.5%, 7/19/04 40,646.36Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,228.20Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,971.78Hills EDA Checking 4,701.27Southern Hills Apts. Account 6,976.42Southern Hills CD#17759, 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,183.92 EDA CD#17850, 2.5%, 5/7//05 27,963.43EDA CD#17268, 1.75%, 1/26/04 10,631.54EDA CD#18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,000.00TOTAL 503,538.65Sue Stueven, Shelly Van Westen and Mike Sandager, representing the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, appeared at the meeting to introduce their plan to replace the playground equipment at Rez Park. The Council reviewed the plans consisting of a tower, three swings, and two slides at a cost of $1,447.25. The 4-H Club is asking for approximately $500 from each the City and Lion’s Club. The 4-H Club has approximately $500, and will supply the labor. Leonard Leenderts noted that the Lion’s plan to donate, but that the amount is unknown at this time. Motion by Arlen Leenderts, seconded by Keith Elbers to donate toward the purchase of the playground equipment, and to pay the City’s share, plus whatever cost share the Lion’s does not donate. Ward was instructed to obtain proposals for gravel for alleys and Rez Park.Discussed the installation of a culvert between the properties of Chuck Kuntze and Derek Bundesen in Park View Fourth Addition. Also discussed the repair of a culvert at the corner of Fourth Street and Josephine Avenue. The Council reviewed Spencer DeSmet’s past building permit application and utility hookups. DeSmet will be charged as one water and sewer service connection, even though the home and garage are metered separate, on the same line.Spring junk pickup is scheduled for May 15th.Stan Van Wyhe, Roger Jackson, Ed Gehrke and Arlyn Gehrke, representing the Beaver Creek Sportsmen Club, informed the Council of their plans for Rez Park: 1) to continue the use of barley straw for cleaning the water; 2) manually remove the algae from the beach and waters edge; 3) improve the southeast point, by asking the City for two loads of gravel, and use of the City’s equipment; 4) request the City to purchase sand for the swimming area; and 5) financial help for purchasing a handicap accessible dock. The Council approved of their work plans, and to purchase gravel and sand. The Council tabled a decision regarding the dock, and requested further information and cost proposals. Mike Sandager, representing Ruth Kentfield, appeared at the meeting to discuss the City’s interest in the purchase of property from Kentfield. Sandager informed the Council that there are property line discrepancies along the north boundaries of Hills between the Kentfield property and certain city residents. The City is interested in purchasing property in the northeast corner along State Highway 270 and County Road Six, this property is in the City limits. The City’s second proposal is to extend Josephine Avenue north across State Highway 270, then proceed west. Sandager agreed to contact the Kentfield family with the City’s proposals. Alvin "Bud" Hoogeveen has chosen not to move his barbershop business into the American Legion building. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the renewal of the Fire Contracts for the City of Steen and Clinton Township, to remain the same as last year, per discussion at the special meeting on March 8th. Voting in favor: Elbers, Dahlquist, Svoboda and Jellema. Leenderts abstained. Motion carried. The Council denied approval of the skateboard park proposal due to two park projects currently in the works. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to proclaim April 23rd as the City’s Arbor Day. A tree will be planted south of the baseball field in connection with Arbor Day.The filing dates for mayor and city council positions open August 24th through September 7th. Notice of these filing dates will be published at a later date.Motion by Leenderts, seconded by Svoboda to grant a building permit to Ken and Julie Hyink for a new home, pending setbacks from the north and east property lines to be no less than 25 feet, and no less than five feet from the south and west property lines. The Council also approved to waive the water and sewer tapping fees in accordance with Resolution 94-4. Motion carried. Motion by Leenderts, seconded by Dahlquist to grant a building permit to Eric and Amy Gaugler to extend their garage, pending their neighbors approval due to property line setbacks are less than five feet. Motion carried. No further business, meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(4-8)
