1. COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER GRANT: On January 10 council will consider a resolution authorizing a grant application (see Notice of Intent in packet) and committing local funds to Vision Iowa. The grant amount is $2.5 million or about 20% of the estimated $12.5 million cost. According to Vision Iowa sources, community wellness centers have been funded in the past. And, Indianola’s application looks very promising considering the partnerships with the Indianola Schools, Simpson College, Warren County and the YMCA. Keep in mind the grant application in no way commits the city to the project. It simply would help fund it should it be authorized.
The Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program supports projects that promote recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment attractions that are available to the general public. Indianola’s proposed project fits that definition perfectly!
2. AERIAL TRUCK: Per recent discussions by elected officials, Chief Brian Seymour is preparing information to replace our aerial truck that will be presented at the February 14 committee meeting. Information will include replacement options, how the apparatus is used and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. Depending on the Street Replacement Project’s delay, timing could coincide well in 2012/13 for a joint bond issue.
3. D&D: In the packet is a table showing the Dangerous and Dilapidated program financial position. Note that using Tax Increment Finance revenues to reimburse expenses causes it to be in the red since TIF has a one-year lag. Funds certified for FY 11/12 to repay D&D total $358,500.
Another funding option (if there is concern about the negative balance) is to issue debt and then use TIF to pay the annual payment. This item will be brought to committee in January or February.
FYI—The D&D committee is meeting on January 5 to review other property purchases.
The D&D program uses city funds to purchase properties like the Cottage Inn, remove the building and sell the property for re-development. It removes eyesores and increases the tax base.
4. MLK: Another reminder the second council meeting in January will be on Tuesday the 18th given Martin Luther King’s holiday on Monday the 17th.
5. INFILTRATION & INFLOW: In the packet is the 2010 Infiltration & Inflow progress report prepared by Water Pollution Control Supt Dan Miers. Dan will present the report at the January 18 meeting.
6. SOUTH Y: Chuck Burgin sent a letter and easement to Lamar Koethe about two weeks ago. A response has been requested by January 3. If an easement is not received to move the storm water, the remaining options include ending the project or, condemnation.
The item will be on the January committee agenda.
It is worth noting that condemnation would be for a storm water “easement” across land upon which water is currently flowing. Condemnation, in this case, is not to own land, it is simply to pipe the water across the land, or, outlet the water from a pipe onto the land. The process involves a 6-member board who determines the value of the easement that the city must pay to the property owner.
7. STORM WATER UTILITY: On Monday the 27th about 380 commercial properties were sent Storm Water Utility notices indicating the fee based on the engineer’s calculations. As of Thursday 5 calls were received regarding waivers.
8. MEETING: The Planning and Zoning Commission has rescheduled their meeting in January to the 18th at the Activity Center from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. They will conduct a public input session for the Comprehensive Plan Update.
9. TAXABLE VALUES: The city received the FY2011-12 numbers from the county this week. Values increased slightly (2.7%) mainly due to residential growth just under 2% with commercial and industrial growth at approximately .5%. In your packet is a table showing rates by residential, commercial and industrial class.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
News Items - December 27, 2010
1. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is January 3. Have a great holiday!
2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: There seemed to be some question as to what constitutes a conflict of interest for elected/appointed officials at the December 20 meeting. The following clarifications are intended to help:
“A conflict exists when there is a clash between public and private duty, or the loyalty owed an employer and the duty to act in the public interest. The good faith of the public official and lack of corruption are not defenses. The disqualifying conflict need not be actual, nor based on dishonesty, but rather is predicated upon whether there is a potential of a conflict or an appearance of an impropriety that is more than fanciful”.
3. C STREET: City, Simpson and school staff met V&K Engineers on Tuesday the 21st to discuss the C Street Study recommendations (see packet). After a thorough review, it was decided to hold on a presentation to council until February or March when more information about the school’s plans for new parking at Irving can be developed.
4. HOMELAND SECURITY: The city recently received the annual bill from the city of Des Moines for its share of the Homeland Security Program funds. The city’s annual cost has been as follows:
2007-$19,330.07
2008-$19,330.07
2009-$19,663.41
2010-$17,685.17
The city used the Homeland Security Team during the December 6 standoff in the 200 block of North F Street. 60 staff members assisted the PD including a negotiating team, and, no one was injured. A very good investment.
5. LETTER TO THE EDITOR: There was a letter to the editor in the December 21 RH&T from a person who received a speeding ticket. The ticket was issued on November 7 for doing 71 mph in a 45 mph zone. The ticket was paid on November 18.
2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: There seemed to be some question as to what constitutes a conflict of interest for elected/appointed officials at the December 20 meeting. The following clarifications are intended to help:
“A conflict exists when there is a clash between public and private duty, or the loyalty owed an employer and the duty to act in the public interest. The good faith of the public official and lack of corruption are not defenses. The disqualifying conflict need not be actual, nor based on dishonesty, but rather is predicated upon whether there is a potential of a conflict or an appearance of an impropriety that is more than fanciful”.
3. C STREET: City, Simpson and school staff met V&K Engineers on Tuesday the 21st to discuss the C Street Study recommendations (see packet). After a thorough review, it was decided to hold on a presentation to council until February or March when more information about the school’s plans for new parking at Irving can be developed.
4. HOMELAND SECURITY: The city recently received the annual bill from the city of Des Moines for its share of the Homeland Security Program funds. The city’s annual cost has been as follows:
2007-$19,330.07
2008-$19,330.07
2009-$19,663.41
2010-$17,685.17
The city used the Homeland Security Team during the December 6 standoff in the 200 block of North F Street. 60 staff members assisted the PD including a negotiating team, and, no one was injured. A very good investment.
5. LETTER TO THE EDITOR: There was a letter to the editor in the December 21 RH&T from a person who received a speeding ticket. The ticket was issued on November 7 for doing 71 mph in a 45 mph zone. The ticket was paid on November 18.
Friday, December 17, 2010
News Items - December 20, 2010
1. FD HONOR GUARD: Indianola’s honor guard is believed to be the first in the state when formed in 1995 and was the first honor guard to be invited to the Iowa Firefighter Memorial service in Coralville. The group is still invited today and travels to other events honoring fallen firefighters.
On Monday the 20th, 6 new members will be added to the team. These six were interviewed by a committee and selected as members who will be part of an 18 member group that attends events and posts colors. This year they are planning fundraisers to finance their attendance at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland.
Their team commander will conduct the first pinning ceremony during the FD training session at 7:00 pm in the city hall training room.
2. DART: Over the years there has been discussion about inviting the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority to provide commuter bussing to/from Indianola. Finance Director Jean Furler contacted DART and received a $220,000 quote (packet) for a three bus inbound/outbound system.
The item will be placed on committee agenda early in 2011 for discussion.
3. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: P&Z will hold a public meeting on the comprehensive plan update on January 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Activity Center.
4. TAX REVENUES: Revenues are still slightly ahead of this time last year. Good news
5. MLK: A reminder that Martin Luther King holiday is Monday January 17 so our council meeting will move to January 18.
6. SNOW ORDINANCE: Chief Bonnett reports there were 32 tickets and 19 impounds during last Saturday’s snow fall.
7. W. BOSTON & IOWA: The proposed scheduled for the W. Boston and W. Iowa Storm Sewer Project is as follows:
• January 3, 2011 Set public hearing and letting
• February 2, 2011 Receive and open bids
• February 7, 2011 Public hearing and designate low bidder
• March 1, 2011 Start construction
• June 30, 2011 Project completion
The project will consist of construction of two headwalls on W. Boston with grading, backfill, surface restoration, etc. Construction of two double intakes with 110 linear feet of storm sewer, subdrains, surface restoration, etc. on West Iowa.
The costs will be paid by the new Storm Water Utility.
On Monday the 20th, 6 new members will be added to the team. These six were interviewed by a committee and selected as members who will be part of an 18 member group that attends events and posts colors. This year they are planning fundraisers to finance their attendance at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland.
Their team commander will conduct the first pinning ceremony during the FD training session at 7:00 pm in the city hall training room.
2. DART: Over the years there has been discussion about inviting the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority to provide commuter bussing to/from Indianola. Finance Director Jean Furler contacted DART and received a $220,000 quote (packet) for a three bus inbound/outbound system.
The item will be placed on committee agenda early in 2011 for discussion.
3. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: P&Z will hold a public meeting on the comprehensive plan update on January 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Activity Center.
4. TAX REVENUES: Revenues are still slightly ahead of this time last year. Good news
5. MLK: A reminder that Martin Luther King holiday is Monday January 17 so our council meeting will move to January 18.
6. SNOW ORDINANCE: Chief Bonnett reports there were 32 tickets and 19 impounds during last Saturday’s snow fall.
7. W. BOSTON & IOWA: The proposed scheduled for the W. Boston and W. Iowa Storm Sewer Project is as follows:
• January 3, 2011 Set public hearing and letting
• February 2, 2011 Receive and open bids
• February 7, 2011 Public hearing and designate low bidder
• March 1, 2011 Start construction
• June 30, 2011 Project completion
The project will consist of construction of two headwalls on W. Boston with grading, backfill, surface restoration, etc. Construction of two double intakes with 110 linear feet of storm sewer, subdrains, surface restoration, etc. on West Iowa.
The costs will be paid by the new Storm Water Utility.
Friday, December 10, 2010
News Items - December 13, 2010
1. STORM WATER STUDY: Forrest Aldrich reports the model for the E Girard area is near complete. A meeting will be scheduled in early January with the neighborhood to discuss the study and potential repairs. A copy of the recommendations will be in the packet as soon as available. Storm water revenues will fund the improvements.
Several appeals were received from residential customers regarding their $2/month storm water utility fee and Supt Dan Miers is reviewing them. Most relate to a lack of storm sewers in their particular area however, storm water in drainage ditches and thru culverts affects the system upstream.
2. C STREET CLOSURE STUDY: The study is near complete and will be presented to Simpson next week. It will also be placed on the January 10 committee agenda for elected official review. There will be three options for consideration. A copy will be delivered electronically next week.
Also, given the lack of direction on the street, I will recommend it be removed from the 5-year replacement project and handled as a separate project.
3. ONLINE UTILITY BILLING: Billing clerk Lindsey Offenburger reports 994 customers are signed online to view their accounts and 740 are paying online monthly. That means 740 less stamps, envelopes and bills and represents about 15% of our customers.
4. MCCORD PARK: Glen Cowan reports the neighborhood has raised about $2,500 for new equipment.
5. BUFFER: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin reports a buffer is not required on the south side of the PD/FD storage building because both zones are residential.
6. STATE REPRESENTATIVES: City Clerk Diana Bowlin is trying to schedule Senator Kent Sorenson and Representative Glen Massie for the January 24 committee meeting.
7. MFPRSI: The Board of Trustees consisting of two fire and two police, four city and one private citizen representatives are recommending no change to the current system in their report due January 10 to the legislature. Although many amendments were made to the recommendation, no amendments passed (5-4 votes). So if return on investments average 7.5%, Indianola will contribute the following in the next 5 years to police retirement.
July 1, 2011 July 1, 2012 July 1, 2013 July 1, 2014 July 1, 2015
% of Payroll 24.76% 29.31% 34.51% 37.33% 35.81%
8. SENATE FILE 2379: As mentioned in the December 6 news items, effective January 1 the new Senate File 2379 will go into effect which states a person could carry a firearm in the open if they want to. Police Chief Steve Bonnett has started to notify the banks and other businesses and plans to host a meeting to discuss the new law.
9. BALLOON MUSEUM CULVERT: As written previously, the contractor will remove and replace (no cost to city) dirt on either side of the culvert. However, work will not begin until next spring due to cold weather. A May 15 completion date is planned.
10. BUDGET REPORT: In the packet is the November budget report. Revenues are slightly ahead of schedule and expenses are on target.
Several appeals were received from residential customers regarding their $2/month storm water utility fee and Supt Dan Miers is reviewing them. Most relate to a lack of storm sewers in their particular area however, storm water in drainage ditches and thru culverts affects the system upstream.
2. C STREET CLOSURE STUDY: The study is near complete and will be presented to Simpson next week. It will also be placed on the January 10 committee agenda for elected official review. There will be three options for consideration. A copy will be delivered electronically next week.
Also, given the lack of direction on the street, I will recommend it be removed from the 5-year replacement project and handled as a separate project.
3. ONLINE UTILITY BILLING: Billing clerk Lindsey Offenburger reports 994 customers are signed online to view their accounts and 740 are paying online monthly. That means 740 less stamps, envelopes and bills and represents about 15% of our customers.
4. MCCORD PARK: Glen Cowan reports the neighborhood has raised about $2,500 for new equipment.
5. BUFFER: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin reports a buffer is not required on the south side of the PD/FD storage building because both zones are residential.
6. STATE REPRESENTATIVES: City Clerk Diana Bowlin is trying to schedule Senator Kent Sorenson and Representative Glen Massie for the January 24 committee meeting.
7. MFPRSI: The Board of Trustees consisting of two fire and two police, four city and one private citizen representatives are recommending no change to the current system in their report due January 10 to the legislature. Although many amendments were made to the recommendation, no amendments passed (5-4 votes). So if return on investments average 7.5%, Indianola will contribute the following in the next 5 years to police retirement.
July 1, 2011 July 1, 2012 July 1, 2013 July 1, 2014 July 1, 2015
% of Payroll 24.76% 29.31% 34.51% 37.33% 35.81%
8. SENATE FILE 2379: As mentioned in the December 6 news items, effective January 1 the new Senate File 2379 will go into effect which states a person could carry a firearm in the open if they want to. Police Chief Steve Bonnett has started to notify the banks and other businesses and plans to host a meeting to discuss the new law.
9. BALLOON MUSEUM CULVERT: As written previously, the contractor will remove and replace (no cost to city) dirt on either side of the culvert. However, work will not begin until next spring due to cold weather. A May 15 completion date is planned.
10. BUDGET REPORT: In the packet is the November budget report. Revenues are slightly ahead of schedule and expenses are on target.
Friday, December 3, 2010
News Items - December 6, 2010
1. STORM WATER UTILITY: The Clerk’s Office and Sewer Staff have been meeting to discuss utility billing and a schedule for implementation. Below are the tentative results:
• Letters were sent today to non-owner occupied single and two family dwellings indicating the $2/month fee. An agreement has been included allowing the tenant to pay the fee (owner/tenant must sign).
• Letters will be sent next week to commercial/industrial owners indicating their fee and providing information as to the appeal process
• Supt Dan Miers will handle appeals and those that are not agreed upon will be brought to council
• Appeals will be reviewed in January
• Billing will begin March 1
This process provides opportunity for property owners to learn more about the new utility and to discuss their fee prior to actual billing.
2. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Steve Bonnett, Chuck Burgin, Glen Cowan, Brian Seymour and I attended a meeting with school officials on December 3 to learn more about the Middle School expansion. While there will be some changes to the north, the majority will expand east (see flyer).
Bidding is anticipated next February and construction will be from spring ’11 thru summer of ’12.
The CAF parking lot will be paved as part of the project.
3. SOUTH LIFT STATION: In the packet is a letter from IDNR’s Daniel Cook indicating a need to test soils because a portion of the south lift station was used as a shooting range. Tests were taken this week and the lead concentrations were well below IDNR levels. Mr. Cook has been advised.
4. LIBRARY HVAC: It appears now the board will consider bidding the existing equipment (estimated $70,000) along with the Geo Thermal system. Shive Hattery is preparing a list of replacement equipment that the board will review at their December 14 meeting.
Should the board recommend the replacement option, it will be an opportune time to replace lighting and carpet as listed in the FY 11/12 Capital Budget for a total cost of about $160,000.
A recommendation will be presented at the December 20 meeting.
Also, in the packet is the FY 2009/10 Library annual report that will be presented on December 20.
5. ISA: The Indianola Sports Association (operates diamonds at Pickard) had a very difficult year due to rain and will request an extension of their $134,000 loan with a local bank. As co-signor on the loan, council will have to consider approval at their December 20 meeting. President Todd Ahrens will be there to discuss the request.
6. POOL: A lawsuit filed by a patron of the Memorial Pool who slipped and injured herself in June 2008 was dismissed in District Court recently.
7. SOUTH Y: Garden’s Brad Uitermarkt will attend the December 13 committee meeting to discuss the final recommendation. It includes flowing the storm water west along the Halsted driveway and southwest to the Lamar Koethe property. Brad reports the 24” pipe size will be adequate to handle in excess of a 100-year rain.
Chuck Burgin has a signed easement from the Halsted’s and is discussing one with Lamar Koethe early next week. He is also working with the town home association and Deer Run Golf Course for the access road and there is verbal agreement on that easement as well.
The next step will be a preliminary assessment followed by voluntary assessment applications sent to property owners. The more of those received, the more likely the project will proceed.
No word from the Supreme Court.
8. CULVERTS: There are problems with both culvert projects as discussed below:
a. Balloon Museum—The contractor did not use proper compaction when replacing the soil on either side of the new culvert. The soil will consequently be removed and replaced in accordance with the plan/spec.
Project completion will likely be delayed until spring.
FYI—Due to IDNR restrictions related to wetland protection and the amount of weight the new culvert can withstand, the height of the fill is just about where it will be when complete.
b. Stephen Court—The western section of pipe is not fitted properly and water there seeps underneath. We are having discussions with the contractor as to the options of how to repair.
9. SENATE FILE 2379: Effective January 1 the new Senate File 2379 will go into effect which states a person could carry a firearm in the open if they want to. Police Chief Steve Bonnett has been told that private businesses may regulate guns on their premises, but government buildings cannot accept the courthouse.
10. TRI-CITY: No word from Norwalk’s Mark Miller so the December 7 meeting with Carlisle and Norwalk will be delayed until further notice.
11. NARROWBANDING: Police Chief Steve Bonnett has received some good news regarding their base radios. He will be budgeting $12,000 in next year’s O&M which will take care of the police department. This must be placed in the O&M to keep them compatible with other law enforcement agencies next year.
The fire department has some flexibility between O&M and next year's CIP. The reason is that the fire department’s expense is in portable radios, where the police department’s expense is all in the form of base radios.
• Letters were sent today to non-owner occupied single and two family dwellings indicating the $2/month fee. An agreement has been included allowing the tenant to pay the fee (owner/tenant must sign).
• Letters will be sent next week to commercial/industrial owners indicating their fee and providing information as to the appeal process
• Supt Dan Miers will handle appeals and those that are not agreed upon will be brought to council
• Appeals will be reviewed in January
• Billing will begin March 1
This process provides opportunity for property owners to learn more about the new utility and to discuss their fee prior to actual billing.
2. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Steve Bonnett, Chuck Burgin, Glen Cowan, Brian Seymour and I attended a meeting with school officials on December 3 to learn more about the Middle School expansion. While there will be some changes to the north, the majority will expand east (see flyer).
Bidding is anticipated next February and construction will be from spring ’11 thru summer of ’12.
The CAF parking lot will be paved as part of the project.
3. SOUTH LIFT STATION: In the packet is a letter from IDNR’s Daniel Cook indicating a need to test soils because a portion of the south lift station was used as a shooting range. Tests were taken this week and the lead concentrations were well below IDNR levels. Mr. Cook has been advised.
4. LIBRARY HVAC: It appears now the board will consider bidding the existing equipment (estimated $70,000) along with the Geo Thermal system. Shive Hattery is preparing a list of replacement equipment that the board will review at their December 14 meeting.
Should the board recommend the replacement option, it will be an opportune time to replace lighting and carpet as listed in the FY 11/12 Capital Budget for a total cost of about $160,000.
A recommendation will be presented at the December 20 meeting.
Also, in the packet is the FY 2009/10 Library annual report that will be presented on December 20.
5. ISA: The Indianola Sports Association (operates diamonds at Pickard) had a very difficult year due to rain and will request an extension of their $134,000 loan with a local bank. As co-signor on the loan, council will have to consider approval at their December 20 meeting. President Todd Ahrens will be there to discuss the request.
6. POOL: A lawsuit filed by a patron of the Memorial Pool who slipped and injured herself in June 2008 was dismissed in District Court recently.
7. SOUTH Y: Garden’s Brad Uitermarkt will attend the December 13 committee meeting to discuss the final recommendation. It includes flowing the storm water west along the Halsted driveway and southwest to the Lamar Koethe property. Brad reports the 24” pipe size will be adequate to handle in excess of a 100-year rain.
Chuck Burgin has a signed easement from the Halsted’s and is discussing one with Lamar Koethe early next week. He is also working with the town home association and Deer Run Golf Course for the access road and there is verbal agreement on that easement as well.
The next step will be a preliminary assessment followed by voluntary assessment applications sent to property owners. The more of those received, the more likely the project will proceed.
No word from the Supreme Court.
8. CULVERTS: There are problems with both culvert projects as discussed below:
a. Balloon Museum—The contractor did not use proper compaction when replacing the soil on either side of the new culvert. The soil will consequently be removed and replaced in accordance with the plan/spec.
Project completion will likely be delayed until spring.
FYI—Due to IDNR restrictions related to wetland protection and the amount of weight the new culvert can withstand, the height of the fill is just about where it will be when complete.
b. Stephen Court—The western section of pipe is not fitted properly and water there seeps underneath. We are having discussions with the contractor as to the options of how to repair.
9. SENATE FILE 2379: Effective January 1 the new Senate File 2379 will go into effect which states a person could carry a firearm in the open if they want to. Police Chief Steve Bonnett has been told that private businesses may regulate guns on their premises, but government buildings cannot accept the courthouse.
10. TRI-CITY: No word from Norwalk’s Mark Miller so the December 7 meeting with Carlisle and Norwalk will be delayed until further notice.
11. NARROWBANDING: Police Chief Steve Bonnett has received some good news regarding their base radios. He will be budgeting $12,000 in next year’s O&M which will take care of the police department. This must be placed in the O&M to keep them compatible with other law enforcement agencies next year.
The fire department has some flexibility between O&M and next year's CIP. The reason is that the fire department’s expense is in portable radios, where the police department’s expense is all in the form of base radios.
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