Friday, May 29, 2009

News Items - June 1, 2009

1. WIND GENERATOR: The Board of Adjustment will consider a request for an 85’ wind generator to be located on the southwest corner of Hwy 65/69 and 92 at their June 3 meeting in city hall.

2. JUNE 15 COUNCIL MEETING: Bob Kreamer and Mark Vickroy are both unavailable June 15th so we are at the minimum. Please advise if any other council members cannot attend.

3. POOL: Recreation Supt Doug Bylund reports the pool’s first weekend produced the following:

Saturday: $441.40 Admissions, $272.50 Concessions

Sunday: $575.50 Admissions, $340.75 Concessions

Monday: $223.75 Admissions, $134.00 Concessions

Total 3-day revenue was $1,988.00. Last year, the pool only opened 2 days (due to cold) and had $1905.50 revenue. Warm weather is badly needed!!

FYI—I understand council concern regarding the pool’s fund balance but keep in mind last summer was one of the wettest ever. Pool revenue is almost exclusively related to weather.

4. WEST EUCLID: According to Veenstra & Kimm the final project costs for the West Euclid Project are:

May 29, 2009 As written in the memo
Final Construction Cost $ 981,404.85 $ 982,338.85
Total Project Cost $ 1,157,666.21 $ 1,158,350.20
Retainage $ 29,442.15 $ 29,470.17

5. MPO: Indianola’s Associate Membership in the Metropolitan Planning Organization will be discussed at their meeting on June 9 at 11:30 am. I plan to attend to answer questions.

6. SOFTWARE: Laurie Hebl will have a recommendation at the June 8 committee meeting to replace the 13 year-old software in the Clerks Office (billing, accounts payable, payroll). The good news is the cost is under the $150,000 budget.

7. SALARY/BENEFITS: The 2010 salary resolution (packet) will be on the June 15 agenda. It is per the union contract and in the FY 09/10 Budget adopted on March 2.

8. HEALTH POOL: May’s balance remains over $700,000 and holding steady. Good news!

9. BALLOON MUSUEM DITCH: We are awaiting word from FEMA regarding the status of the disaster claim for reparation to the drainage ditch north of the Balloon Museum. The State did not support our claim so we are not too optimistic about FEMA. A decision will be rendered by June 1.

10. WARREN HOTEL: No additional brick movement but we are continuing to monitor.

Friday, May 22, 2009

News Items- May 27, 2009

1. PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS: At a meeting on the 21st, several retailers got together with city reps to discuss a program to encourage the use of re-usable bags in-lieu of the plastic bags. The group agreed to meet the end of June to discuss further a joint effort.

2. SIDEWALK PLANTERS: There will be a request from the Re-Light Indianola Committee to place planters on the square sidewalks at a June meeting. The planters will be similar (smaller) to those on Simpson’s Campus. Previous councils have approved planters to help beautify the square.

3. TAX REVENUE: Revenue thru May is about a quarter percent behind this time last year.

4. PHONE SYSTEM: As part of the Municipal Building renovations, Laurie Hebl is reviewing our 19-year old phone system and 16-year old voice mail system. Several phones are not working properly and in 2004 we had a major phone/voice mail system failure. Will keep you posted.

Friday, May 15, 2009

News Items - May 18, 2009

1. BALLOON MUSEUM DITCH: The State Homeland Security Department agreed with FEMA that the collapsing ditch was caused by improper fill as opposed to storm damage. We are reviewing repair options and will have a recommendation in a few weeks. Staff is hopeful federal assistance may still be an option through our congressional delegation.

2. WARREN HOTEL: We received a report the brick is again beginning to move outward on the hotel’s east side. Chuck Burgin and Rich Parker are watching it and will take corrective action if necessary.

3. NUISANCES: The Community Development Department issued nine nuisance to abate notices this past week for tall grass. Tis the season.

4. JULY 20 COUNCIL MEETING: Another reminder I will recommend either canceling the July 20 council meeting or having a very limited agenda to allow more time for RAGBRAI preparation.

5. RAGBRAI: The next town meeting will be at the First United Methodist Church on May 21 at 7:00 PM.

6. OLD SEWER PLANT: Discussions have renewed about a potential lease of the former sewer plant land on N Country Club Rd. An offer will be presented to council in June if received.

7. CITIZEN SURVEY: U of I’s Institute of Public Affairs reports that 243 citizen surveys have been returned as of the May 15th deadline.

8. SOUTH ‘G’ SEAL COAT: A request to pay ½ of the double seal coat on South “G” will be placed on the June 1 agenda. My recommendation will be consistent with past projects where the city contributes an amount equal to a 3-year calcium chloride applications (45 cents/ft/year x 3 years).

9. BUILDING IMPROVEMENT: Chuck Burgin and I met with a building owner on the square who is considering structural and cosmetic improvements including an apartment renovation. The owner was interested in city incentives and we mentioned Tax Increment Finance and the revolving loan fund. We will meet again in 3-4 weeks to discuss the projects potential and possible city assistance for council consideration.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Urbandale

By now you have heard I was not offered the city manager position of Urbandale. AJ Johnson from Muscatine, a city of 24,000, was offered the job. While I am somewhat disappointed, I am very happy to stay here in Indianola. Indianola is a great community with many challenges and opportunities and I am looking forward to working for all of you. Thank you for your support and feel free to contact me if I can be of service.

Friday, May 8, 2009

News Items - May 11, 2009

1. W EUCLID: The court hearing took nearly two full days. The attorneys have until June 1 to get summaries to the judge and the judge will render a ruling within about 60 days after that.

2. I&I: We encountered a problem with timely notification of a resident regarding a positive I&I test. A visual was performed last June and due to weather and camera malfunctions the water test was not performed until October 22. The current policy was to notify property owners when the entire neighborhood was inspected so this homeowner was not notified and they listed their home for sale.

Supt Dan Miers is changing the policy to notify owner within 2 weeks of the water test that will eliminate this issue in the future.

3. CLERK’S OFFICE SOFTWARE: Laurie Hebl, Diana Bowlin and the staff have interviewed three software companies and are down to two that meet our spec. A recommendation will be brought to council in June. $150,000 has been budgeted to replace the current 13-year old software.

4. CITIZEN SURVEY: The bi-annual survey was sent to 740 homes on April 24th. Thus far 200 have been received. The responses will be collected thru May 15th and results will be presented to council in June or July.

5. DC TRIP UPDATE: In your packet is the current DC Trip update as provided by Laurie Hebl.

Friday, May 1, 2009

News Items - May 1, 2009

1. HEALTH INSURANCE: The pool reserve is nearly $725,000 thru April which is very good. Laurie Hebl, RoxAnne Hunerdosse, Todd Kielkopf and I met with consultant Debbie Dean this week and discussed the pool’s anticipated claims, current reserve, revised deductibles and employee contributions. We agreed to recommend the FY 09/10 monthly premiums as follows: Current - Family $1,076 and Single $538. Recommended - Family $1,260 and Single - $510

Note that the family premium was budgeted at $1,325 so there will be a savings of about $68,700 thru the year.

The affect of the recommended rates on employee contributions are as follows:

Current - $27/month

Recommended - $45/month

2. FRANCHISE FEE (GAS): In your packet is a bill recently passed by the Iowa legislature allowing up to a 5% franchise fee. This item has been discussed with council on a “potential” basis until the legislature acted.

While I am aware there is strong resistance to the use of these fees, the following must be noted:

· A natural gas franchise fee is paid by all entities
· Each % will generate nearly $40,000 annually
· If placed directly into the Police/Fire budgets, the tax rate will decrease 10 cents per percent, i.e. a 5% franchise fee (about $200,000) will decrease the tax rate by 50 cents
· All citizens, businesses and other entities receive Police and Fire services so I suggest the revenue (if approved) be placed in those budgets
· Tax payers will get some relief from the current tax burden
· The revenue stream will be more diversified and less dependent on property taxes
· The franchise fee is a user fee

This item will be placed on a June or July committee agenda for discussion.

3. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES: V&K’s Forrest Aldrich will attend the May 11 committee meeting to discuss W Euclid Paving liquidated damages. The final schedule of assessments will be considered on May 18.

FYI--The hearing on special assessments is May 6.

4. RADAR UNITS: Police Chief Steve Bonnett has $5,000 budgeted for another pole mounted radar unit. However, he found a slightly smaller unit for about one-half the price so I have authorized the purchase of two units that will be placed in east/west directions on Iowa Avenue at 9th. Steve chose this location due to the numerous comments about speeding and children.

5. SENATOR APPEL: Senators Appel and Bolkcom, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee will host a discussion of this year’s session and plans for next year on May 13 at 8:00 am in the Warren County Board Room (second floor).

The mayor/council’s legislative priority list will be placed on the May 11 agenda to prepare for this meeting.

6. N “Y” SIDEWALKS: Chuck Burgin, John Hoyman and I met to discuss sidewalks on N “Y”. Sidewalks were not included in the project because there was not enough time to acquire easements in light of the Stimulus Funding time lines.

Based on a review of the ordinance, sidewalks are not required, and consequently may be waived because grade has not been established (see ordinance). Property owners can therefore request a waiver and receive one based on the ordinance.

However, if council wants to proceed with sidewalks, the grades could be established at a later date and sidewalks would have to be installed by property owners within 120 days of city notification.

7. COMP PLAN: Chuck Burgin received 5 quotes ranging from $37,885 to $40,000 for the Comp Plan Update (last completed in 2001). Our intent is to form a committee with staff, P&Z member(s), council and trustee members to interview the firms by the end of May.

If a council member is interested in serving on the committee, please let Chuck or I know.

8. PLASTIC BAGS: Based on elected official comments, (general consensus showed reserve), staff is scheduling a meeting with retailers to discuss use of plastic bags. I anticipate a relatively slow approach to potential regulations.

9. WEST HWY 92 SEWER: V&K is finalizing plans/specs for the sewer main that would extend south from the northwest corner of W 92 and “Y” and will extend south from (west side of “Y”) and east (across “Y”) to south east corner of Hwy 92 and “Y”. It will serve properties on the north and south sides of West Hwy 92. Chuck Burgin reports a final plat will be received in a couple weeks and recommends proceeding with the sewer after P&Z and council approval.

10. INVESTMENT REPORT: The committee (Pete Berry, Laurie Hebl, Bob Kreamer, Todd Kielkopf, Bob Lester, Clark Raney, Arlen Schrum, Doug Shull, and myself) met with Bankers Trust Kathy Beyer to discuss the quarterly investment report. Below are the investment statistics for the quarter ending March 31st:

· Total principal investment = $10,691,000.00
· Current Yield = 4.81
· Average maturity = 2.79 years

11. BALLOON MUSEUM: Finance Director Laurie Hebl sent a letter to Homeland Security’s re-affirming an appeal for the deterioration of the ditch at 1601 N. Jefferson. New pictures were included.

Chuck Burgin contacted Vanderpool Construction to re-restore the bank.

12. SALEM COURT: In your packet is a schedule for summer entertainment at Salem Court (south side of The Square).

13. PERMIT: City Clerk Diana Bowlin issued two transient merchant permits, one for tool sales at the fairgrounds and one for tack-horse equipment at 311 E. 2nd.

14. PICKEN REZONING: In your packet is a Randy Bray request that the third reading be waived and final approval be granted on June 1, 2009.