OAKLAND ACRES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 p.m.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Oakland Acres
Maintenance Building
Call Meeting to Order: Mayor Lennie Smith called the council
meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Roll Call: Terry Morrison, Ted
Schultz. and Don Smith. Absent: Carol Cerqua, Doug
Weaver arrived at 7:11 p.m.
Also present: Larry Crady, Tom Simpson, Daryl Huyser, Joyce Halblom, Heath Collette, Lisa Griffith, Craig
Johnstone and Lori Smith, city clerk.
Subdivision Plat:
Craig
Johnstone, of Johnstone and
Associates, a civil engineering land surveying company, handed out plat maps of
a potential Oak Lake addition to Oakland Acres, consisting of one buildable
lot, and two partial lots that would adjoin existing lots. He wanted to know if the city would require a
storm drainage easement to Oak Lake where the culvert dumps into the lake. It
was suggested to allow 10-15' on each side.
He also questioned if there was an easement around the lake. Larry Crady
mentioned that there was a 10' utility easement, as an underwater electric
cable is there to allow repair. He also mentioned that there is an agreement in
the quit claim deed that in the case of a drought, the Golf Course can access
the water drain to get water for the course.
Johnstone will need to review the abstract to
see where the easement line is, as Oak Lake has risen over the years.
The Planning and
Zoning Committee will need to meet to create a motion to accept this new
proposal, to ensure it applies to all of our ordinances. Mayor Smith will contact the committee and
will let Johnstone know when they will meet.
Inquiries from the Community: Larry Crady questioned how our city attorney is responding to the
letters sent to the city, Tom Simpson and the Oakland Acres Golf Club. Mayor Smith talked to the lawyer about this
issue, and he wanted to wait until the hearing was over. Crady thinks we
need to be more aggressive. Halblom
thinks we may need to look at a more aggressive real estate attorney. She
suggested Mike Mahaffey as a possibility.
We need to follow up with our lawyer, and ramp up efforts, giving
specific deadlines, and move up the process, if at all possible. Again, we need
to have the time itemized on detailed bills. If progress is not made, look into
finding different representation. Will
set up a special meeting to determine progress and evaluate legal
representation.
Bills need to be
refiled with hourly details and a court date to no
later than the end of August.
City Repairs:
Daryl
Huyser questioned repairs on curbing that has been
destroyed at the bottom of Valley View Drive.
This needs to be repaired. Huyser questioned whether the guard rail by Heishmans could be put back up. Alliant required us to remove it to allow
access to the power box. Need to contact
Alliant to see other options for guard rail.
Also mentioned that the street light by the West entrance is out. We will contact Alliant to see if they will
replace.
Codes and Ordinances on Lot Maintenance: Wondered about the lots which have not
been mowed. Why are we not enforcing
these ordinances? Also need to spray
area on curve on Fore Season Drive for thistles, etc. Also may need to hire a part-time maintenance
person to trim and mow city park, etc., in a more timely manner.
Approval of Minutes:
Schultz moved to approve the minutes of the May
9, 2016, meeting. Morrison seconded.
Ayes: All.
Treasurer’s Report:
Morrison
moved to approve the May report as submitted. Weaver seconded. Ayes: All.
Payment of Bills: Don Smith moved to approve payment of the
bills as submitted, with the exception of the legal bill, which will ask to be
resubmitted with update in process, detailed breakdown of hours, and staff
members. This should include hours
separated by staff member and the phase of the investigation. Weaver seconded. Ayes:
All.
Payable
to: |
Amount: |
For: |
||||||||
Lori Smith |
$
302.40 |
Salary |
|
|||||||
IPERS |
$
52.09 |
Employee retirement |
|
|||||||
Lennie Smith |
$
709.25 |
Mowing |
|
|||||||
Dodd's Trash &
Recycling |
$
761.88 |
Recycling and Spring
Cleanup |
|
|||||||
Jasper County Advertiser |
$
20.00 |
Garage Sale Day ad |
|
|||||||
Poweshiek Publications |
$
11.00 |
Garage Sale Day ad |
|
|||||||
Drake Community Library |
$
400.00 |
Yearly contract |
|
|||||||
ICAP |
$
2,370.01 |
Property and Liability
Insurance |
|
|||||||
Iowa League of Cities |
$
299.00 |
Annual Dues |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Total |
$
7,864.90 |
|
||||||||
Mayor’s Opening
Address and Report: Heath
Collette is in attendance, and is interested in being on the council.
Old Business
Liquor
License Application: State has
approved and should be emailed to Golf Club.
Jasper County Crime Stopper Program: No interest.
Road
Update: Have not
contacted Cessford, but will follow up.
Ordinances and Issues: Real estate signs are actually not
allowed on right-of-ways by the Iowa DOT. http://www.iowadot.gov/iowaroadsigns/guide_to_outdoor_sign_regulations.pdf (see page 4)
Temporary signs are OK, but should be taken down in approximately 24
hours. Signs on private property are
fine, as allowed by the landowner.
New Business
Resignation:
Carol Cerqua
submitted a letter of resignation, based on personal reasons, from the
council. Mayor Smith made a
recommendation to appoint Heath Collette to the council, effective
immediately. Schultz made a motion to
accept Heath's appointment and Morrison seconded. Ayes:
All
Snow
Removal: Andy
Heishman is still interested in performing city-wide
snow removal on streets. Mayor Smith
would like to review our requirements for billing and snow and ice removal
requirements, before offering him a second year at the same rate.
Iowa
League of Cities Conference: Mayor Smith provided an overview of the conference's
format and its benefits. Will follow up
with more information next month.
Signs:
Stop sign has been ordered for Fore Seasons Drive.
Aerator
for Lake: Doing
preliminary research on a solar aerator for the lake, which is $35,000. Motor would last approximately 10 years and
solar panels 25 years. Will look at
possible purchasing options and fundraising options.
Culvert
on Eagle Drive: Culvert is
washing away badly on Strawser's property and is a
hazard, as there is a large hole. Will
put a barrier around the area to prevent accidents until the area can be
repaired. Mayor Smith displayed a
culvert cap which can fit in the hole, with concrete below it as a base and
fill with rip wrap. We will talk to the landowner
about the solution and timeline to repair.
Council Report:
Road
at the end of Oakland Drive is very broken up.
Clerk Report: Newsletter
items: Mowing ordinances and weed
control. Property upkeep. Newsletter
will be sent out before the end of June.
Maintenance Report:
Sprayed
weeds in park on Saturday morning, as well as around maintenance building. Spread rock along roadways where it washed
out from heavy rain. Will call to get
more rock along shoulders.
Adjournment: Schultz moved to adjourn the meeting
at 8:59 p.m. Weaver seconded. Ayes:
All.
These minutes
are as recorded by the City Clerk and are subject to council approval at the
next City Council meeting.
________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Lennie Smith,
Mayor Lori
Smith, City Clerk