City
Government Minutes
 
 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m. by Mayor Powell.
PRESENT:  Gillock, Kessler, Landers, Stamer, Svetlik, Warwick, Boyd, Mayor Powell, Sample
ABSENT:  C Berola, T Berola

I. CLERK’S REPORT – SAMPLE

Minutes for the September 15, 2008 council meeting were presented for review and approval.
Kessler requested the following changes:
Page 3 line 7 – change water main to water line
Page 3 line 8 – change new main to new line
Page 3 line 8 – change water main to water line
Page 3 line 23 – change remedy the problem to propose a remedy of the problem
Motion by Kessler second by Warwick to approve the September 15, 2008 council minutes with the corrections as stated.  Approved by voice vote.

II. TREASURER’S REPORT – SAMPLE

The bills list was presented for review and approval.  Motion by Kessler second by Warwick to approve the bills list.  6-0-2

AYES:   Gillock, Kessler, Landers, Stamer, Svetlik, Warwick
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

III. ATTORNEY’S REPORT – LABARRE

Labarre informed the council that a meeting was held with EPA on October 7, 2008.  Per Labarre EPA was more reasonable than he expected.  Per Labarre the EPA is asking for an amended response within twenty one days.  Warwick and Labarre will meet and work on an amended proposal that will be presented at the next council meeting.  Labarre said the response will include how the City thinks the homeowners can fix the issue along with deadlines.  If the problem is not fixed by the deadline the City would need to cut off the water.  Labarre reviewed information on a letter received from the homeowner’s attorney John Myers.
A General discussion was held.  Landers stated that this was done deceptively to begin with.  Labarre said the person who fixes this should be the person that caused the problem.  A Public Utilities Committee meeting was set for October 15, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. to discuss the amended response that will be sent to EPA

IV. VISITORS

George Kruse and Ernie Burtle appeared regarding a location for their car business.  Mayor Powell reviewed the issue.  Kruse is trying to buy a piece of property on the north end of town.  Kruse is asking that the city extend the sewer 236 ft. at 104 and Trojan road.  1876 inches of pipe will be needed.  Al White would charge about $3,000.00 to do the necessary digging. It would cost approximately $1,000.00 for the rock that is needed.  The cost will be about $6,000.00.  The City received about $34,000.00 in taxes from Heritage Chevrolet in 2007.  A general discussion was held.  Landers said this should be read into the minutes and voted on at the next meeting.  Warwick asked when they wanted to do this.  Per Kruse they want this done now.  The current building is being rented but they do not intend to stay there.  Stamer stated she would like to move forward on this.  Kessler said he would like to put a dollar amount not to exceed on this.  The easement for the water line can be obtained for this.  Kessler asked if they would be willing to participate in the cost if the cost exceeded $7,500.00.  Kruse indicated they would.  Motion by Landers second by Kessler for the city to proceed with the sewer line with a cost not to exceed $7,500.00.  6-0-2

AYES:   Warwick, Svetlik, Stamer, Landers, Kessler, Gillock
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   T Berola, C Berola

Dellann Stutsman appeared as a spokesman for the Auburn Haunted Theater.  Per Stutsman they are requesting that the road be closed at 5th Street between Madison and Monroe for safety reasons.  The closing times would be Friday from 6:00p.m to 12:00a.m. and Saturday from 5:00p.m.-12:00a.m. This would start this weekend and go through Halloween night.  The Auburn Haunted Theater would put out and pickup the barricades.  Motion by Landers second by Stamer to allow Auburn Haunted Theater to close 5th street between Madison and Monroe starting this weekend through Halloween from 6:00p.m. until 12:00a.m. on Friday and Saturday form 5:00p.m. until 12:00p.m. for safety.  6-0-2

AYES:   Gillock, Kessler, Landers, Stamer, Svetlik, Warwick
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

Representatives from the Auburn Ambulance were present.  They were told a list of questions will be composed.  This will not be discussed tonight.

V. DEPARTMENT HEADS

A. CENTKO

Centko said he thought the new Safety Plan for the Homecoming Parade worked well.  A General discussion was held regarding this.  C Powell said she thought there was still a problem with safety.

B. KARHLIKER

Karhliker informed the council that the water tower is done.   Karhliker also informed the council that there weren’t any bids received for the truck or the spreader.

C. C POWELL

Powell informed the council that there is a recycle bin if the council would like to get rid of paper that has built up.  Powell also informed the council that the City Office has a copy of all items distributed.
Powell said there were four brush piles that have not been cleaned up from the letters that were sent.  Powell asked if a Health Letter should be sent to these properties.  Per Powell she is asking for suggestions.  A general discussion was held on what should be done.  A letter will be sent to the four properties that are still in violation.
Powell informed the council that she will need a short executive session on personnel.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. ADMINISTRATION – C BEROLA

Kessler gave the Administration Committee report in C Berola absence.  Kessler informed the council that an Administration meeting was held on September 30, 2008.  Kessler reviewed the minutes of that meeting.  Personal days for city employees were discussed.  Each employee gets 5 personal days per year at the approximate accrual rate of 1 every 2.5 months.  All days must be used by the end of the year.  It is recommended that new employees will be able to use personal days accrued so they don’t have to wait one full year to take time off.  A maximum of 5 days may be accrued and must be used by December 31.  This affects new hires.  Labarre informed the council that this requires an ordinance change.  The current ordinance for this is 1925-70.  Motion by Landers second by Svetlik to direct Labarre to rewrite this ordinance and to read into the minutes at the next meeting.  6-0-2

AYES:   Warwick, Svetlik, Stamer, Landers, Kessler, Gillock
NAYS:  None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

B. PUBLIC WORKS – KESSLER

Kessler informed the council that there wasn’t a bid on the truck.  A general discussion was held regarding what to do with equipment.  Landers said that salvage prices were high now.  Karhliker will call salvage businesses to see what the highest price would be.  Motion by Kessler second by Landers to sell equipment for the highest scrap price.  6-0-2

AYES:   Gillock, Kessler, Landers, Stamer, Svetlik, Warwick
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

C. PUBLIC UTILITIES – WARWICK

A Public Utilities Committee meeting will be held on October 15, 2008 at 7:15 p.m.

D. HEALTH OFFICER – LANDERS

A discussion was held regarding the property at 505 N. 11th street owned by Beth Sheff.  Per C Powell it has been cleaned up but the fees owed ($4,550.00) have not been paid.  Sheff put a letter in the night drop informing the council she does not have the money to pay the fees and has not had time to come to the council meetings to discuss because of her work schedule.  Landers said he does not like the city being blamed and that it is the home owner’s responsibility to maintain the property.  Kessler said that since the property is cleaned up the fine should be reduced to $100.00 to cover administrative costs.  Per Kessler the purpose was to get the property cleaned up.  Warwick said the fine should be stopped at $4,550.00 and a time should be set up for Sheff to come in.  Kessler asked what happens if she cannot come in.  Kessler said the fine should be $100.00 because the property is cleaned up and a building permit should be given.  Landers said he does not have a problem with abating the fine but Sheff needs to come in.  Motion by Warwick second by Landers to send a letter directing her to appear by October 20, 2008 or to set up a meeting with the council with one week notice before the end of the month.  6-0-2

AYES:   Warwick, Svetlik, Stamer, Landers, Kessler, Gillock
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

Motion by Warwick second by Landers to amend the previous motion to add that the fine is capped at $4,550.00.  6-0-2

AYES:   Gillock, Kessler, Landers, Stamer, Svetlik, Warwick
NAYS:   None
ABSENT:   C Berola, T Berola

E. PARKS – SVETLIK/STAMER

Svetlik informed the council that thanks to the help of Auburn Christian Church the playground equipment at Emergency Squad Park has been put up.  Stamer said they did a good job.

F. LIBRARY – WARWICK

There will be a Library Board meeting on October 21, 2008 at 7:00p.m.

G. ACC – STAMER

Landers said he would like to see the construction work completed on the Auburn Community Center.

VII. OLD BUSINESS

Stamer asked what was found out about the subdivision ordinance changes from the Zoning Board.  It is done and the Zoning Board did not understand it is completed.

Stamer informed the council that the Searcy project is completed.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Warwick informed the council that a Technology meeting was held on October 2, 2008.  They are working on a new website address.  David King will be retained as the webmaster.  Per Warwick Adobe Acrobat needs to be purchased and downloaded so that forms and documents could be sent as PDF files.

Motion by Kessler second by Warwick to go into executive session at 8:20 p.m. to discuss personnel issue.

Motion by Kessler second by Warwick to leave executive session and go to regular session at 8:34 p.m.

Motion by Kessler second by Warwick to adjourn at 8:40p.m.
 
 
 
 

Respectfully submitted,

Myra Sample
City Clerk