1. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is June 7 at 6:00 pm.
2. ON LINE BILLING: Beginning June 1, the city will change its online credit card processor so customers can create their own “secure” login to access their utility bill account thru the internet. Once a the login is created, customers can:
• View their bill online
• Pay their bill online immediately or schedule a payment
• Receive bills by email
• View graphs that show water/electric consumption
Not only will customers have the convenience of paying bills at home, but the Clerks Office will benefit from payments that are direct and do not require staff handling. Mailing costs should also decrease. The new feature will be advertised in the Record Herald, city newsletter, weekly flyer, cable channel and community message board.
Billing Clerk Lindsey Offenburger set up the system. Hats off to Lindsey!!
FYI—24 packs of return utility billing envelopes have been sent to customers since March.
3. STORM SIREN: Fire Chief Brian Seymour reports the storm siren on Country Club Road has not been working the past 30-45 days and repair attempts were not successful. The siren was struck by lightning and/or had a power surge that damaged the computer boards and the best alternative is to replace them for about $6,000. While our deductible is $10,000, there is an insurance reserve fund that will be used for the expense.
The siren should be functional within 30 days depending on arrival of parts.
4. PARK DEDICATION ORDINANCE: The revised ordinance will be placed on the June 12 committee agenda for review.
5. MEMORIAL POOL: The pool was painted and caulked in preparation for the coming season. While the caulking was contracted, staff did the painting for about $6,000 in materials. A contract to paint the pool would have been about $20,000. Hats off to Rec Supt Doug Bylund and staff!!
6. CORVETTE SHOW: The annual corvette show will be June 5 on the square beginning at 9:00 am.
7. TAX REVENUES: May tax revenues are at 99.16% and about .5% ahead of this time last year.
8. STORM WATER UTILITY: Veenstra and Kimm’s Greg Roth is finalizing information regarding average residential units (cost/single family dwelling) and equivalent residential units (cost/commercial and/or industrial property) for storm water runoff. In addition, a review of our storm water system will be underway in June to determine a need for repairs/improvements.
Information will be provided at the July 12 committee meeting.
9. CORRIDOR STUDY: Chuck Burgin and I met with Snyder reps and IDOT’s Brian Morrissey on the 18th to receive a progress report on the Hwy 65/69 Corridor Study north of Hillcrest. According to Snyder’s Mark Perington, the most efficient and economical option is a 4-lane divided highway with left turn lanes and a 32’median (current is 50’). The study will be finalized in the next few weeks and a presentation made to elected officials in July.
10. FIRE SAFETY: Another reminder if residents order delivery from Pizza Ranch on May 26 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm the Fire Dept will not only deliver it in one of our vehicles, the staff will check and replace smoke alarm batteries (if necessary). A very good program that will certainly benefit the community.
11. WORKERS COMP: HR/Risk Management Director RoxAnne Hunerdosse reports the city’s experience modification for Workers Compensation will decrease from .93 to .79 due to low claims (accidents) experience. The net affect is a near $12,000 premium decrease in FY 10/11. The efforts of Safety Director Mike Metcalf, the safety committee and others are paying dividends. Hats off to all!!
12. SOUTH PLANT PUMPS: The Sewer Department purchased 3 new lift station pumps from WILO EMU for the south plant in 2007. We have experienced upper bearing failure on the motors of the new pumps. There have been issues with the supplier standing by their warranty of the new pumps. John Hoyman has been asked to start reviewing correspondence between Wilo EMU and WPC.
13. MEMORIAL TRAIL: The trail is over 90% completed. We are still having difficulties with Qwest Communication removing their equipment from three poles on North 1st Street and East Franklin. We may have to suspend work after the contractor has completed remaining portion and restoration work of damaged areas. Unfortunately, the measured quantities are exceeding the engineer’s estimate. We will recheck the measurements to determine final quantities later next week.
