BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATIONANDMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETINGOF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILMAY 13, 2003 6:00 P.M.Mayor Jim Jellema called the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Dana Dahlquist, and Keith Elbers. Absent: Arlen Leenderts. Employee present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests present: Tom Houselog-Rock County Assessor, Mark Hovland-Deputy Assessor, Gerald Haak, Wendell Bengtson, Carmine Immediato, Jeff Bass, Matt Taubert-Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co.; and Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent. Houselog and Hovland reported to the Council that residential values increased less than one percent, and apartment buildings up 10% overall. From October 2001 to September 2002 there were nine residential sales totaling $437,900.00, compared to the estimated value of those properties totaled $399,200.00.There was discussion to cut future Board of Equalization meetings to one-half hour, unless there is a need for additional time. The City Council was in agreement with that. The regular meeting of the Hills City Council was opened, while Houselog and Hovland remained at the meeting. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of the April 8th minutes. Motion carried. The Council approved payment of $400 to Paul Ageson Construction for sand for the new volleyball court at Jacobson Park. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve payment of the April expenditures: General $2,511.44; Park $1,257.03; Fire $355.66; Street $3,661.26; Legion $1,018.57; Barbershop $411.53; Sewer $1,303.12; Garbage $3,348.78; Recycling $1,095.52; Water $5,032.71; Baseball $19.39; Softball $32.85. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT:General Checking $ 40,196.42General Fund CD#1778, 2.5%, 10/21/03 318,306.69General Fund CD#17792, 2.5%, 5/29/03 133,372.00General Fund CD#17760, 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,226.85Sewer Fund CD#17877, 2.5%, 10/18/03 50,441.78Fire Truck Rep. Fund CD#17710, 1.75%, 1/13/04 19,878.80Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,971.96Hills EDA Checking 4,184.12Southern Hills Apts. Checking 4,741.22Southern Hills CD#17554, 2.5%, 7/20/03 17,534.93Southern Hills CD#17759, 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,056.71EDA CD#17384, 2.65%, 4/7/03 27,617.27EDA CD#17268, 1.75%, 1/26/04 10,454.41TOTAL $654,983.16The Treasurer was instructed to use general fund CD#17792, along with additional funds from general fund CD#1778 to pay Rock County Rural Water for waterline improvements. A list of delinquent utility accounts was presented to the Council. Elbers suggested adding a $30 service fee for insufficient checks. The Council tabled the discussion on making changes to payment requirements and disconnection notices. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve of the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve of the following building permit applications: Harvey Gehrke - garage; Myron Sandbulte – addition to home; Dean Knobloch – cement driveway; Henry Van Wyhe – storage building; H-BC High School – locker room addition; Scott Harris – fence; and Justin Ovre – cement driveway. Motion carried. At 7:00 P.M. the Council approved of and closed the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting and continued with the regular City Council meeting. The Council opened sealed bids for the sale of the depot building located at 214 South Main Avenue. Bids were received from Kelly Demuth, Bud Bush, and Eugene Immediato. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to accept the bid from Immediato in the amount of $10,000. Immediato noted his intentions for the property, to open a mini-grocery/convenience store and delicatessen. All Council in favor, motion carried. Jeff Bass appeared at the meeting to discuss replacing the front door and window of the Post Office, and relocate the air conditioner. Bass offered to complete the project for approximately $2,500, not including the cost of the commercial steel door and frame. No other bids were received for this project. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to hire Bass. Motion carried. The Council asked Jeff Bass to submit a written estimate to replace and down size the window in the maintenance room of the American Legion building. The Council agreed to donate $150 to Friendship Day.Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to purchase 50 chairs from Brown & Saenger at $9.50 each; and two tables from Office Max at $49.99 each, for the American Legion building. Motion carried. The Council agreed to rent Chuck Kuntze storage space at $1.00 per day, household items only, until his home is constructed in the EDA’s new housing addition. The Council instructed the Clerk to send letters to property owners regarding lawn care, abandoned vehicles, and miscellaneous junk items. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve of the Fire Department’s proposed budget for 2004 in the amount of $31,425.00. Motion carried. MAINTENANCE REPORT:The Council discussed installation of outside remote water meters, it was suggested to gradually begin installation on a few existing homes, and on all newly constructed homes. Ward presented a written proposal from DRG for installation of water and sewer lines for Park View Fourth Addition. Ward was instructed to obtain a second written proposal. Ward was instructed to test the flow of water in the alley near the water tower for precautionary purposes.Ward was instructed to obtain costs for the installation of a street, culverts and ditch work for Park View Fourth Addition. Ward informed the Council that the engineers for Rock County Rural Water would not allow for a fire hydrant to be installed along the new main water line. Ward was asked to dispose of the merry-go-round at Rez Park.The Council discussed complaints received regarding dandelions on certain property within the city limits. Matt Taubert, City Auditor, reviewed the 2002 audit report. Taubert informed the Council that the State is changing the way property and equipment is reported in the 2004 audit, which will require more bookkeeping requirements. Taubert will contact the City Office to review these new requirements. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to adjourn at 8:45 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(6-5)
