FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Kay Schmitt called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were: P. Schmitt. K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Glass & Schroeder. Paul Herold was absent. Also present were Maddie Putnam, Ron Franzen, Jay Schwamman, Steve Kelsay, Greg Barta and Michele Elsbernd.
Motion by Glass, second by Schroeder to approve the consent agenda (adding the approval of the fire department officers to the agenda), minutes, claims, clerk/treasurer report. All aye, carried.
| Claims Nov 2024 | ||
| Acentek | phone,int | 542.47 |
| Alliant | elec bill | 2122.00 |
| Anderson Wilma | legal | 168.00 |
| Badger Metering | read serv | 57.13 |
| Baker & Taylor | books | 424.80 |
| Bank Iowa | hsa | 200.00 |
| BMC Aggrigates | lime ballfield | 489.33 |
| Bruening Rock | ball park | 109.79 |
| Citizens Svgs | taxes | 1613.68 |
| Column | minutes | 82.27 |
| Consolidated Ene | LP | 1370.59 |
| Coon Rapids Lib | book | 7.40 |
| Decorah Tech | support | 1012.65 |
| Farmers Union | kerosene | 174.40 |
| Forbin | 365 | 100.00 |
| Fort Library | sws | 397.26 |
| Franzen Sales | bucket | 3163.47 |
| Gundersen Heal | shot Ray | 160.00 |
| Hawkeye Sanit | contract | 2210.80 |
| Hawkins | chemicals | 429.00 |
| Hoopla | audio vis | 57.20 |
| Hubers Store | supplies | 90.62 |
| Ia Dept Rev | wet tax | 424.54 |
| Ia Rl Water | membership | 305.00 |
| Ipers | IPERS | 1184.43 |
| John Deere Fin | sprinkler | 25.99 |
| Keystone | testing | 142.50 |
| Laura Thomas | training mileag | 151.42 |
| Lee’s Repair | equip use | 236.00 |
| Marv Smith Elec | lagoon | 110.00 |
| Mediacom | internet/phone | 166.99 |
| Michele Elsbernd | mileage cf | 103.85 |
| Ness Pumping | porta-potties | 1855.00 |
| O’Reilly Auto | wiper,filter | 21.84 |
| River City Paving | street patch | 1600.00 |
| US Cell | cell | 36.88 |
| Utility Equip | supplies | 387.68 |
| Visa | workshop,batt | 350.29 |
| Visa | books, sws | 651.86 |
| Wellmark | ins | 678.02 |
| Winn Ag Assn | wreath,roping | 84.00 |
| Winn Co. Dev | support | 500.00 |
| Payroll Nov | 5818.13 | |
| Total | 29817.28 | |
| Claims by fund | ||
| General | 14608.38 | |
| Road Use | 3692.62 | |
| Benefits | 878.02 | |
| Lost | 1600.00 | |
| Water | 5199.50 | |
| Sewer | 3838.76 | |
| Total | 29817.28 | |
| Revenue by fund | ||
| General | 13998.61 | |
| Library | 610.00 | |
| Road Use | 3282.85 | |
| Benefits | 1087.73 | |
| Lost | 5495.27 | |
| Debt Serv | 4287.33 | |
| Water | 7825.34 | |
| Sewer | 14552.52 | |
| Total | 51139.65 | |
Maddie Putnam from Winneshiek County Development and Tourism handed out their organization updates and spoke briefly regarding possible grants for the playground project. She also stated that they had applied for a grant to work with the UTV route in Winneshiek County. Video’s promoting Winneshiek County will also be available on their web site and city websites in the future.
Ron Franzen stated that as of their last meeting there were new fire department officers. Fire Department Physicals, Workman’s Comp Insurance and the pumper repair were also discussed. The estimate for the pumper repair is $ 24,000. Motion by Leuenberger, second by Glass to approve the fire department officers. (Chief Kerry Kleve, Assistant Chief’s Jay Schwamman and Keith Herold, Treasurer Jim Schmitt and Secretary Chelsey Brummond.) All aye, carried. Steve Kelsey stated that W-14 was complete with the exception of the painting of the fog line from Spillville to Ridgeway. Possible legislation regarding property taxes and the affect this has on small cities was discussed.
The Third and final reading of Ordinance # 42 concerning the increase in the water improvement fees from $ 8.00 monthly to $ 10.00 monthly and an increase in the bulk water rate was presented. Motion by Glass, second by Schroeder to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance # 42. Aye: K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Glass & Schroeder. Motion carried. Ordinance becomes effective upon posting on December 6, 2024.
Oak Hill Cemetery was discussed, the council and the Cemetery board will be developing an Ordinance to add to the City Code as there currently isn’t one. A resolution regarding cemetery fees will also be adopted.
Budget items were discussed briefly. Wellmark Health Insurance for Greg is increasing and the soft wear company the city has used since 2004 is changing to a cloud system and increasing the associated fees significantly. Currently the clerk is looking at other soft wear options. Quotes for a new John Deer mower were reviewed and the opportunity for the city to have a representative on the RHA board was discussed.
There were no building permits submitted.
Grant funding for the playground was discussed. We will be applying to the Community Foundation and researching other grant opportunities. Flyers will also be available in the area encouraging community involvement and funding for the project.
Jay Schwamman stated tat the State Archeologist contacted the CLG regarding the work of the CLG and the Friends of Fort Atkinson and their accomplishments over the years. They are very impressed that a small town like Fort Atkinson has accomplished so much and would like to use Fort Atkinson as an example at their Conference in Davenport in July.
The January meeting will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center.
Motion by Leuenberger, second by Schroeder to adjourn. All aye, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 P.M.
_____________________________________________
Kay Schmitt, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST: _____________________________________
Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk