Minutes March 17, 2022

MINUTES FORT ATKINSON CITY COUNCIL

March 17, 2022

Mayor Paul Herold called the meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. on March 17, 2022, at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Present were: Schroeder, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger and Glass.  Also present were Raj Rajan representing Soo Green, Mark Vick and Lee Bjerke representing Winneshiek County, Mak Kriener family, Al Hayek, Roger Franzen, Adrian Kuennen, Alycia Eich, Todd Schmitt and Tom Madden.

Raj Rajan explained the Soo Green project which intends to install underground electric cable on the railroad right-of-way for 250 miles in Iowa starting in Mason City to Marquette and south to Sabula and then into Illinois. This will affect ½ mile in Fort Atkinson and Mr. Rajan stated they had cooperation agreements in place with the owners of the private parcels. He stated they would have no customers in Iowa and there would be no franchise fee, but the utility would generate five million dollars in taxes for Winneshiek County in 25 years. Mayor Herold stated that the city needed to know exactly where the line would be located because the city would be installing a new water main to the new lagoon site. SOO Green stated they would go under the city utilities. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to set April 6, 2022, for a public hearing on the SOO Green franchise agreement. All aye:  Motion carried.

Mak Kriener and family were present to request the council reconsider the hook-up fee to the water utility outside the city limits. All costs associated with the hook up to his property is the property owner’s expense. Motion by Leuenberger, second by Glass to amend the current ordinance changing the hook up fee to $ 100.00, the same amount required for residents within the city limits. All aye. Motion carried.

Lee Bjerke and Mark Vick were present to discuss options for the bridge on 150^th Street that was abandoned by the county. Bjerke stated the bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. Bjerke stated that the bridge would more than likely not be replaced because the design of the new bridge would change the way it sits, and adjacent landowners were not happy with the plan. A cost estimate has been requested by the county from Brennan Const to move the bridge to the city park property After discussion, the council stated they do not feel they can take on the cost to move the bridge or the liability at this time.

Alycia Eich and Adrian Kuennen were present to discuss the condition of Elm Street. They explained water problems in the summer and ice problems in the winter. Barta stated new curb and gutter would solve those problems. Greg Barta estimated the cost at approximately $ 75,000 per block. The council stated that was the next street scheduled for repair as soon as funds become available.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to open the public hearing to enter into a General Obligation Sewer Improvement loan and Disbursement agreement. There were no comments, Glass made a motion, seconded by P. Schmitt to close the public hearing. All ayes. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Leuenberger to approve Resolution # 334 authorizing the General Obligation Sewer Improvement bonds for $ 760,000. All aye. Motion carried.

Tom Madden requested approval of the Construction Administrative Services with his firm SEH Engineering at cost of $ 190,000.  He stated he would take care of reviewing all pay requests, answer questions and working with Speer Financial, Upper Explorerland, the bonding attorney and the city clerk on all required paperwork. He stated the substantial completion date was February 2023 and the project fully completed by March 2023. Motion by Glass, seconded by K. Schmitt to approve the Construction Administrative Services agreement with SEH. All aye. Motion Carried.

Tom Madden updated the council on the well project. He stated that he is still waiting approval of the construction permit. He stated that rules require a city to have two wells and own 200 feet around the well and that only a few locations in Fort Atkinson could meet the needed requirements.

Al Hayek had questions regarding the proposed sewer rate increase that is needed to pay for the new lagoon project.  Tom Madden explained the DNR mandates and stated that Iowa is an unfunded mandate state which means they can tell you to build but do not offer any funding. He stated that there might be additional loan forgiveness but at this time funding is unavailable.

Greg Barta sent a mowing proposal to the DNR but has not received a reply.

Part-time summer help was discussed. The job will be posted for 10 days requesting applications be submitted by March 31^st. He has currently received two applications for the position. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to post for part time summer help. All aye. Motion carried.

Wages for 2022-23 were discussed. Leuenberger stated he felt that Greg Barta was underpaid for his position and years of service. He stated inflation is at 11% and he feels that Greg saves the city a considerable amount of money by doing many needed repairs himself, and with the large projects coming up the city needed his knowledge. Greg’s salary is less than similar positions in the area and recommended a 12% increase in his pay effective July 1, 2022. Motion by Leuenberger, second by Schroeder to approve a 12% increase in salary effective July 1, 2022. All aye. Motion carried.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to open the public hearing on the 2022-2023 budget. All Aye:  There were no comments, K. Schmitt made a motion, second by Glass to close the hearing. All aye:   Motion by Glass, second by P. Schmitt to approve Resolution # 335 Adopting the 2022-23 budget. All aye. Motion carried.

The rates at the community center were discussed and council requested the clerk prepare a revenue and expense report for the facility before a decision is made. The HVAC system in the center needs replacement and the city applied for a grant from the Community Foundation for funds toward this project.

Motion by Glass, second by Schroeder to approve the consent items (minutes from February 9^th, and February 28^th, clerks reports and claims for February). All aye. Motion carried.

Motion by P. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve adding Michele Elsbernd as a signatory at the bank and for all other city documents. All aye. Motion carried.

Ordinance # 24 which would change maximum size requirements for accessory building was introduced for its first reading. After discussion it was decided to table this until the next meeting.

Ordinance # 25 regarding service charges for sewer was introduced and read. This ordinance would add $ 30.00 to the sewer monthly fee for capital improvements. Motion by Glass, second by P. Schmitt to approve the first reading of Ordinance # 25 regarding sewer rates. All aye. Motion carried.

A discussion was held regarding sale of bulk water outside the city limits.

Motion by Glass, second by P. Schmitt to adjourn. All Aye:  Motion carried, and meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

Attest:  ________________________________                               ______________________________________

City Clerk                                                                                              Mayor Paul Herold