1. NEXT MEETING: The next council meeting is April 6.
2. LEGISLATORS: Staff was unable to schedule a meeting with Senator Appel and Representative Sorensen until April 13’s committee meeting given their busy schedules on the Hill.
3. PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS: There are several “Stimulus” grants for public safety purposes including:
· COPS Hiring Recovery Act: Provides 3 years salary/benefits for an additional officer and requires no local match. Chief Bonnett will approach council on April 6. If approved, the officer would be hired in January or February 2010.
· Block Grant (Office of Drug Control): Provides $10,000 to train officers. Local match is $2,500 and can be used to train an additional polygraph examiner. Our first examiner was trained under a similar training grant and I intend to authorize a second examiner under this program.
· Equipment Grant (Recovery Act): Provides up to $20,000 (no match) for equipment purchases. Chief Bonnett is reviewing equipment options and will have a recommendation for the April 6 council meeting.
3. INDIANOLA “GO GREEN”: The committee is working to get residents excited about the planned April events that include:
Indianola Chamber of Commerce Breakfast – April 2, 2009
Indianola Public Library – “Living Green” presentation – April 23, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
Indianola Sustainability Fair – April 24, 2009 – 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (free lunch!)
Iowa DNR Mobile Education Trailer – April 24, 2009 – Irving Elementary
”Indianola Go Green” E-cycling Event – April 25, 2009 – 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Indianola Chamber Bike/Walk to work
Please tell friends and neighbors to attend and learn about living “green.”
4. NORTH “Y” PAVING: The city was notified on the 18th that the “Y” Paving project will be bid on April 28th instead of the 21st as originally scheduled. I am still trying to get an explanation from IDOT as to the change.
5. PARTNERSHIP DC TRIP: Bob Kreamer has a conflict and is unable to attend the June 10-12 event.
6. UNION NEGOTIATIONS: Union members will vote on the contract March 24.
7. RACE CAR ORDINANCE: The court allowed a stay (of decision) until 14 days after council takes action on the amendment clarifying fence requirements and language.
8. W EUCLID: V&K Engineers will have final assessments for the W Euclid Paving Project in early April. They will be presented to council on April 20.
9. LIBRARY: Library Board member Dick Kerr and Librarian Joyce Godwin presented the long-range plan to the County Supervisors March 17. Joyce reports it was a very positive process.
10. TAX REVENUE: March’s YTD receipts are about 1.5% less than this time last year.
11. COMMUNITY SURVEY: Laurie Hebl is preparing this year’s community survey with the help of the University of Iowa’s Institute of Public Affairs. This bi-annual survey is very important to get public input regarding city services and programs in addition to general public opinion. The survey will be sent to 800 households by the end of April.
12. SOD REQUIREMENT: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin will ask P&Z to consider the sod requirement for new residential construction in May.
13. MINIMUM LOT SIZE: The meeting on the 20th has been re-scheduled for March 24th at 2:00 p.m. in the council chambers.
14. COMP PLAN UPDATE: Chuck Burgin sent RFP’s to seven firms on Friday and will be due on April 15th.
15. “RED FLAGS” RULE: Council will consider a resolution at the April 6th meeting regarding the “Red Flags” rule. The Federal Trade Commission adopted a rule on identity theft requiring utilities establish a written policy identifying red flags such as: incidents of identity theft that they have experienced; alerts or warnings received such as a notice of address discrepancy; suspicious documents; suspicious personal identifying information; or, unusual use of an account. The written policy (resolution) is required by May 1, 2009.
