MINUTES FORT ATKINSON CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 6, 2022
Mayor Paul Herold called the meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. on April 6, 2022, at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Present: Leuenberger, Glass, Schroeder, K. Schmitt and P. Schmitt. Also present were Raj Rajan and two other representatives of SOO Green Project.
Rajan explained the project and showed a short video. The underground transmission line is intended to provide electricity from the Midwest to the eastern part of the United States. The line would provide electricity to 1 ½ million homes. There are 24 cities in Iowa the project affects, and SOO Green is asking for a franchise from each one of them. Raj and the other representatives answered questions regarding the project and how it would impact the City of Fort Atkinson. All work would be within the railroad right-of-way. Slight changes will be made to the franchise to state that SOO Green would be responsible for any damages to city property during the project.
Mayor Herold opened the public hearing at 7:45 for the first reading of the SOO Green Franchise Ordinance. There were no comments from the public and he declared the meeting closed. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve the first reading of Ordinance #27 subject to the required changes. Roll call vote: Aye: K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Luenberger, Schroeder and Glass. Motion carried. SOO Green will be on the June agenda for the second reading of the ordinance and consideration to adopt.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to approve Resolution #337 Adopting and Approving Tax Compliance Procedures relating to tax exempt bonds. All Aye: Motion carried.
Motion by P. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve the first reading of Ordinance #26 changing the water connection fee outside the city limits to $ 100.00. All aye, motion carried. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by P. Schmitt to waive the subsequent readings of Ordinance #26. All aye, motion carried. Motion by Glass, second by K. Schmitt to adopt Ordinance #26. All aye, motion carried.
Council reviewed and discussed the applications for the summer help position. Motion by Schroeder, second by Glass to offer the position to Earl Lensing at a wage of $ 15.00 per hour. All aye, motion carried.
The city has not had a reply from the DNR regarding the Fort mowing proposal. The City Campground was discussed, and it was the consensus of the council that due to all the flooding problems the campground would only be available for primitive camping in the future. Electric boxes will be removed and sold.
Motion by Glass, second by K. Schmitt to approve the consent agenda including minutes from the March 17, 2022, meeting, clerks report, claims for March and the ABD license for Lickety Split and the ABD license for Hubers Store (pending receipt of paperwork from Huber’s Store). All aye, motion carried.
| CLAIMS REPORT | ||
| Acentek | phone bill | 252.68 |
| Albertson Const | repair shop door | 1800.45 |
| Alliant | monthly electric | 2107.19 |
| Allrecipes | subscription lib | 7.00 |
| Badger Meter | meter read serv | 46.32 |
| Baker & Taylor | books | 404.98 |
| Bank Iowa | HAS contribution | 200.00 |
| Bell’s Fire Stop | service fire ext | 211.50 |
| Better Home & Gardens | subscription | 9.00 |
| Capital One | supplies | 1194.90 |
| Citizens Svgs. Bank | taxes | 2555.10 |
| Consolidated Energy | propane | 1320.34 |
| Darin Barta | rental fee | 70.00 |
| Decorah Chiropractic | drug test consortium | 240.00 |
| Des Moines Stamp | stamps | 93.65 |
| Driftless Media | storm water discharge | 14.95 |
| EMS Detergent | dishwasher cc | 179.80 |
| Farmers Union | battery | 136.72 |
| Forbin | tablet setup | 189.29 |
| Fort Atkinson Rentals | rental fee | 90.00 |
| Franzen Sales & Services | ship samples | 22.06 |
| Good Housekeeping | subscription | 15.97 |
| Gworks | annual fee | 3067.50 |
| Hawkeye Sanitation | garbage hauling | 2121.33 |
| Iamu | dues | 620.00 |
| Iowa Lib Assn | dues | 65.00 |
| Ipers | ipers | 2013.26 |
| Keystone Laboratories | testing | 45.00 |
| Laura Thomas | supplies lib | 177.25 |
| Lee’s Repair | snow removal | 251.00 |
| Lickety Split | fuel | 3940.04 |
| Marv Smith Elec | repair | 191.38 |
| Mediacom | internet serv | 280.11 |
| Mid-American Publishing | publishing | 782.29 |
| Midwest Geographical | map updates | 2628.75 |
| Midwest Living | subscription | 12.00 |
| Olsgard Auto | repair | 680.12 |
| US Post Office | postage | 196.00 |
| Secretary of State | notary | 30.00 |
| SHE | eng. Services | 2299.66 |
| Taste of Home | subscription | 20.00 |
| US Cellular | cell phone | 208.80 |
| Upper Explorerland | admin sewer/water | 886.65 |
| Wellmark | insurance | 572.79 |
| Payroll | March | 10028.78 |
| Total | 42279.61 | |
| Expenses by fund | ||
| General | 22028.30 | |
| Road Use | 4910.75 | |
| Benefits | 1012.79 | |
| Water | 5891.60 | |
| 2nd Well | 2633.07 | |
| Sewer | 4829.49 | |
| Sewer Lagoon | 973.61 | |
| Total | 42279.61 | |
| Revenue by fund | ||
| General | 29861.34 | |
| Road Use | 1713.27 | |
| Benefits | 2533.16 | |
| Emergency | 381.73 | |
| Lost | 6495.20 | |
| Debt Serv | 1940.27 | |
| Water | 5595.37 | |
| Sewer | 10217.87 | |
| Total | 58738.21 |
Open burning was discussed, and the council consensus is to leave the ordinance as is and not have a time when open burning is allowed. Violation of the Open Burning Ordinance is a Municipal Infraction with a fine of $ 750.00 for the first offense and $ 1,000 for the second offense.
Discussed the need for a ground mounted solar ordinance. A permit would be required prior to installation of any ground mounted solar system within the Fort Atkinson City limits.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to approve the first reading of Ordinance #24 revising the maximum size requirements for accessory buildings and adding a section with regulations and the requirement for a permit for a ground mounted solar system. All aye, motion carried.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve the second reading of Ordinance #25 pertaining to service charges for sewer. The fee would raise from $ 25.00 to $ 55.00 monthly. All aye, motion carried. Motion by Schroeder, second by P. Schmitt to waive the third reading of Ordinance #25 and have it become effective upon posting. All aye, motion carried.
Motion by Glass, second by K. Schmitt to approve Resolution #336 authorizing the clerk to write off as uncollectible past due utility account balances totaling $1718.93. All aye, motion carried.
Community Center rental fees were discussed due to the operating costs exceeding the revenue. There is a need to raise rates for each event $ 50.00. Auctions will no longer be allowed due to the damage to the property.
ICAP insurance rate adjustments were discussed, they will increase 4-8%. The lost control audit from ICAP indicated that the city needs an agreement with the little league and the Mallards for use of the ballfield and concession stand. Discussed getting their signed waivers as proof of the City not having liability when they are using.
A speed camera to slow traffic down coming thru Fort Atkinson was discussed in length. This will be discussed again after more research.
Discussed donation to the City of Fort Atkinson from Bob Humpal, of a replica of Fort Atkinson businesses he would like to donate. The council consensus was to accept the donation and display in the room below the library that joins to the museum. Discussed a proposal from Dave Nienhaus regarding a portion of Oak Street. The council agreed they were not in favor.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to adjourn. All aye, motion carried, meeting adjourned at 8:53 P.M.
_____________________________________ ATTEST: __________________________________
Paul Herold, Mayor Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk