CITY OF FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 1, 2023
Mayor pro tem Kay Schmitt called the regular meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Present : Leuenberger, K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Schroeder, Glass. Also present were: Greg Barta, Michele Elsbernd, Jay Schwamman, Tom Madden, Janice Myers, Brittany Schmitt, Laura Thomas, Lynn Sindelar Jonathan Hayek, Miranda Hayek, Ronald Franzen, Ann Elsbernd and for a portion of the meeting Steve & Marta Kelsay.
Library board member Janice Myers and Brittany Schmitt and Librarians Laura Thomas and Lynn Sindelar were present to inquire regarding expenses charged to their operating budget. The clerk charges items pertaining to the library to the library fund and due to some larger charges recently they stated they will be over budget due to these unanticipated expenses.
The building permit submitted by Paul & Bette Schmitt was presented for approval. They requested to build a 36 X 40 accessory building which is over the allowable square footage per Fort Atkinson code without a variance, A variance was requested. Jonathan and Miranda Hayek stated when they wanted to build their building they were limited on the height of their building and wondered why the code now allowed for a variance with council approval. After much discussion the council felt that they should stay within the limits stated in the code and Paul Schmitt then changed the size of the building to 30 x 40. Motion by Leuenberger, second by Schroeder to approve the building permit for a 30 x 40 building. Aye: K. Schmitt, Glass, Schroeder and Leuenberger. P. Schmitt abstained. Motion carried.
Ann Elsbernd was present representing St. John’s parish regarding the community center usage. The 25 year agreement between the city and the parish expires on April 25th. The parish finance committee had no issues paying for the use of the center by the regular fee schedule. Ann inquired regarding the fee for meetings which has now been added to the fee schedule of $ 50.00 for a 2-hour meeting. Storage of the parish items and parish owned freezers was discussed, Greg Barta stated that it was not the parish responsibility to clean up the center after funerals because the cost of rental was paid by the family which includes clean up, but would be receptive to have them continue to clean up as they have been in the past in exchange for storage fees for the parish items.
Ann Elsbernd asked if the city was interested in continuing the community band concerts. The concerts will continue as in the past.
Tom Madden was present and stated that Shawver was scheduled to come in April. He said the UV has been started up at the lagoon and that the river water is being pumped back into the river. Tom is working with Upper Explorerland regarding the timeline for the CDBG substantial completion deadline. He presented PPE# #9 for JB Holland in the amount of $ 969,013.78. Motion by P. Schmitt seconded Glass by to approve PPE #9. Aye: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Schroeder, Glass. Motion carried.
Mayor pro tem Kay Schmitt opened the public hearing on the 2023-2024 budget. The clerk explained that the new legislation passed will change the previously published budget figures. According to the state if we accept the changes and do not increase the levy rate we can continue and approve the budget as planned. The city of Fort Atkinson’s loss due to this legislation is $ 3,470.00. Steve Kelsey was present to explain some issues the county is addressing including equalization of county funding of the libraries. The hearing was closed, and a motion was made by Glass second by Schroeder to approve Resolution # 375 approving the 2023-2024 budget. Aye: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Schroeder, Glass. Motion carried.
Motion by Schroeder second by Glass to approve the consent items (minutes from February 2023, clerk reports, claims and the Class E retail Alcohol License for Huber’s Store. Aye: K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Glass, Schroeder. Motion carried.
| Claims | ||
| Acentek | phone | 301.10 |
| Alliant | elec | 1992.57 |
| Anderson att | service | 89.00 |
| Aud of State | filing fee | 250.00 |
| Baker/Taylor | books | 116.33 |
| Biblionix | subscrip | 800.00 |
| Bod Impl | parts | 358.91 |
| Citizens Svgs | taxes | 1477.90 |
| Decorah Tech | support | 185.44 |
| Farmers Un | salt | 30.00 |
| Hawkeye San | mon garb | 2170.45 |
| Hoopla | tech | 90.13 |
| IA Dept. Rev | wet tax | 318.00 |
| ipers | pension | 1100.93 |
| Idnr | permit fee | 260.00 |
| Jay’s Auto | service | 392.54 |
| JD Financial | supplies | 22.98 |
| Keystone | testing | 15.50 |
| Lee’s Repair | snow,misc | 2480.00 |
| L. Franzen Con | openers | 9719.00 |
| Marv Smith El | xmas | 158.00 |
| Mediacom | internet | 230.86 |
| M. Elsbernd | mileage | 69.43 |
| Mid-America | pub | 255.08 |
| Modern Mkt | totes lib | 189.00 |
| P. Office | mail bills | 96.00 |
| R. Thompson | audit | 4475.00 |
| SHE | eng lagoo | 11415.63 |
| Sergeant Lib | book | 10.00 |
| Total Tree | 13 trees | 6500.00 |
| US Cell | cell | 115.60 |
| Uperc | admin w | 2558.22 |
| Visa | supp | 310.44 |
| Wellmark | ins | 655.46 |
| Payroll Feb | 5,404.55 | |
| 54,614.05 | ||
| By fund | ||
| General | 22,015.12 | |
| RU | 3,139.87 | |
| Benefits | 655.46 | |
| Water | 2,925.98 | |
| well | 3,190.76 | |
| sewer | 11,903.77 | |
| lagoon | 10,783.09 | |
| total | 54,614.05 | |
| Rev by fund | ||
| General | 5477.11 | |
| Road Use | 3148.28 | |
| Benefits | 213.14 | |
| Emerg | 32.57 | |
| Lost | 4311.83 | |
| Debt Serv | 674.14 | |
| Water | 5607.70 | |
| well | 12813.49 | |
| sewer | 13445.08 | |
| lagoon | 79060.69 | |
| Total | 124784.03 |
Jay Schwamman submitted a copy of the CLG annual report. Motion by P. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve Marie Riha, Jay Schwamman, Gerald Schmitt and Ron Franzen to the Certified Local Government commission. Aye: Schroeder, Glass, Leuenberger, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt. Motion carried.
Motion by Glass seconded by Schroeder to approve Resolution #371 Personally identifiable information policy; Resolution #372 Policy regarding guidance on determining allowable costs; Resolution #373 Record retention policy regarding federal grants; Resolution # 374 policy for personnel time; Resolution #365 Procurement policy; Resolution #366 Conflict of interest policy for federal grants; Resolution #367 policy to ensure uniform financial practices; Resolution # 368 fraud and fraud reporting policy; Resolution # 369 period of performance policy; Resolution # 370 segregation of duties policy.(all resolutions suggested to have on file should we need to secure FEMA funds) Aye: Leuenberger, K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Schroeder, Glass. Motion carried.
Greg Barta stated in his report that the UV is operational, the pumps are running, and he will be operating the new lagoon system on the old permits for the time being. The lead and copper survey was discussed, the city is required to have forms completed for 100% of the buildings with water lines. Water & sewer lines to proposed building sites were discussed. The council will schedule a meeting with the developer.
The clerk researched a means to have utility customers pay bills via credit card. All costs associated with using the card are paid by the user with no cost to the city A one-year contract would be required. Access would be by icon on the city web site.
County Supervisor Steve Kelsey discussed city and county funding and proposed legislation that will affect future budgets and budget cuts.
Motion by Glass, second by K. Schmitt to adjourn. Aye: P. Schmitt, Schroeder, Glass, Leuenberger, K. Schmitt. Motion carried meeting adjourned at 8:01.
ATTEST:
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Kay Schmitt, Mayor pro tem Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk