1. HEALTH INSURANCE: RoxAnne Hunerdosse reports Benefit Source’s Debbie Dean will have re-insurance quotes next week and premiums can be established for July 1. Thus far it has been a good year and our reserved increased to over $823,000. Good news!
The not so good news is the potential affect of the new nationwide health legislation that Rox highlights below:
• The July 2011 renewal will be impacted by:
o Lifting lifetime benefit limits
o Free preventative services to plan participants
o Dependents covered up to the age of 26 even if married and/or living out-of-state
• By 2014 the health insurance exchange is established, the city will have over 100 employees (full and some part-time) and therefore not eligible to pay for vouchers ($2,000) to have employees purchase their own insurance through the exchange.
• The city will be required to pay health insurance premiums for regular part-time employees
• Timelines and regulations may change as details are finalized at the federal and state levels.
2. BRAVO: In the packet is the revised Bravo membership fee. The cost is as follows:
Annual Tax Rate Cumulative
FY 10/11 $ 2,500 .6 cents $ 2,500
FY 11/12 $ 6,135 1.5 cents $ 8,635
FY 12/13 $ 9,828 2.3 cents $18,463
FY 13/14 $13,463 3.2 cents $31,986
FY 14/15 $16,656 4.0 cents $48,582
The fee begins with a partial payment and eventually represents a full 2/7th of the current 7% hotel/motel tax revenue. If a new motel is built in Indianola, the costs increase by 2/7ths of the new motel revenue as well.
Organizations that may receive Bravo funding include the National Balloon Classic, Warren County Historical Society, and Indianola Schools. Simpson College is not eligible as a private college, but, it may qualify for up to $25,000 based on its relationship with the Des Moines Metro Opera which already receives about $50,000 annually.
MD Isley and Scott Cirksena will attend the May 10 committee meeting to discuss the proposal.
3. PUBLIC SAFETY STORAGE: $100,000 is budgeted in FY 11 for the storage building located east of Arby’s (see map). Staff will begin the process to hire an engineer and given the cost and type of building, we will simply solicit quotes from local professionals.
A recommendation will be made in a few weeks.
4. SHARED SERVICES: Meetings were conducted on Wednesday the 14th with two neighborhood groups at 1st Street and E Iowa Avenue to discuss shared service solutions and Infiltration/Inflow. The owners will meet amongst themselves and let Supt Dan Miers know what options are preferred.
Staff will provide recommendations in the next several weeks and given the number of shared services the Sewer Dept is finding, more are sure to come.
5. SQUARE ALLEY: Quotes have been received to grind the “handprint” alley on the north side of the square, and, to remove/relocate it. The surface is not favorable to pedestrian traffic. A recommendation will be brought to council in May.
6. RULES OF PROCEDURE: In the packet is a copy of Iowa Code section 372.13 (5) indicating councils shall adopt rules of procedure.
7. ZONING: In the packet are the code sections indicating permitted uses in industrial, and residential zones.
8. FD GRANT: Brian Seymour reports we did not receive funding for the Fire Department expansion. Our $2.5 million grant application was among the $10 billion requested. Only $210 million was available.
9. APPLIANCES: Due to a misprint in the April 7 RH&T indicating free appliance drop-off at the brush facility, we’ve instructed staff to accept them this week. Diana Bowlin contacted Midwest Recovery and they will pick up appliances from the facility on Saturday since they will be there accepting tv’s/monitors.
10. SWEEPER: The sweeper has been idled for 10 days due to a failed pump. Several calls were received about getting the streets swept and we’re happy to say it is back in service as of Wednesday the 14th.
11. GOALS/PRIORITIES: Per the discussion at the April 12 committee meeting, goal/priorities will be placed on the June or July agenda.
12. MEDIACOM: On or about May 1, 2010 Mediacom will change the following fees:
Service Old Rate New Rate
Directory Assistance $1.75 $2.50
Voicemail $4.95 $5.95
Digital Plus Pkg $10.00 $12.00
HBO ala carte $14.95 $16.95
Digital Video Recorder Service $9.95 $10.95
Late Fee $5.00 $7.50
13. TRAIL PROJECT: The project started on April 6 and the portion from Memorial
Park to North “E” Street by the Simpson Field is complete. Next week the trail will
continue eastward toward the highway. The first pay estimate will be placed in the
claims May 3.
14. STREET CLOSURE: We received a street closure request from The Garage on
April 12, 2010 to close the alley between The Garage and Ground Zero (from
Ashland Avenue ½ block north ) on the following Bike Night dates May 21, June 18,
July 16, August 20 and September 17. They paid the $50 since it was not received
within the 60 days. The request will be placed on the May 3 council agenda for
consideration. He has also requested a band (noise permit) for those dates as well.
15. NOISE PERMITS: Over the years the police chief has given approval for loud noise from (mostly) bands for various events such as Bike Nite and Simpson’s September event for returning students. However, there are often complaints (usually one or two people) from neighboring residents and the process has become somewhat controversial.
The solution (staff perspective) is to have a formal process (similar to street closures) that provides more information and ultimately council approval (if complaints are received). The proposed application form is in the packet.
Highlights include:
• The City Manager and Police Department shall review all applications
• All application will be approved or denied by the Indianola Police Chief
• Events that have received prior complaints, or, are multiple days shall have council approval
• Applications need to be received no later than 60 days prior to the event, if less staff will deny but may be appealed to the city council, but a $50 late fee shall be assessed
• Multiple events may be requested on one application in a single year
• The Indianola Police Department reserves the right to order noise reduction or to cancel any permit
This will be placed on the May 3 council agenda.
