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