2007-10-16 City Council Minutes

RUTHVEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Ruthven, Iowa

October 16, 2007

The Ruthven, Iowa City Council met in regular session on the 16^th day of October, 2007, at 6:30 o’clock P.M. in the Council Chambers, Ruthven City Hall, pursuant to law and to the rules of said Council. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Charles Oppedal and the Chair, and the roll being called, the following named members were present:

PRESENT: VerHelst, Bentz and Schoning

ABSENT: Henningsen and Hawk

The Mayor and Council first considered the Consent Agenda Items as prepared and presented by the City Clerk including the Minutes of the October 2nd meeting, the Summary of Claims and the Clerk’s Reports. Council member VerHelst moved the adoption and approval of the Consent Agenda; Council member Schoning seconded; the motion was carried when all members present voted “aye.”

The Council members then considered and discussed a request from Darlowe Hansen, who was present, for the vacation of a portion of the platted but unopened Burns Street in High Lawn Addition, adjacent to property owned by Mr. Hansen legally described as Lots 11, 12, 13 and 14. Mr. Hansen is reconstructing a residence located on the property and requires a portion of the street Right-of-Way in order to construct a two-car garage addition to the residence in compliance with the City zoning setback requirements. Mr. Hansen was asked whether the property was served by City water and sanitary sewer. He advised that it was. Following discussion, Council member Schoning moved the adoption of Resolution No.: A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATION AND SALE OF A PORTION OF A PLATTED BUT UNOPENED PORTION OF BURNS STREET IN HIGH LAWN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF RUTHVEN, IOWA. Council member VerHelst seconded the Motion. On roll call vote, the vote was Bentz- aye; Schoning- aye; VerHelst- aye. Resolution adopted.

The Mayor then reported information concerning Pool receipts at the Pool. It was agreed by consensus that Pool Manager Chris Kother should be requested to attend the next Council meeting to discuss Pool matters.

The Mayor and Council then reviewed the current Ordinance requirements of the Ruthven City Code concerning “snow emergencies.” “Snow emergencies” may be declared by the Mayor and shall be effective four (4) hours following the time of declaration, unless otherwise stated. Notice of the declaration of a “snow emergency” is to be provided to radio station KICD in Spencer and to be placed on the Community Channel of the Ruthven Cable Television system. When a “snow emergency” has been declared, no parking is permitted on or over the hard-surfaced portions of all streets in the City of Ruthven until such streets have been plowed and the snow removed from the full width of the hard surface. It was agreed by consensus that notice of the provisions of the “snow emergency” ordinance should be published in the Ruthven Zip Code and placed on the Community Cable Channel.

The Mayor and Council then discussed the existence of several properties in the City on which nuisance conditions exist. The Mayor noted that the 125^th Anniversary of the founding of the City is approaching and suggested that existing nuisance conditions should be addressed early in the spring of 2008 in order that the conditions be abated or eliminated in the spring and summer of 2008. Council members present were in general agreement that nuisance properties should be placed on the February 2008 Council Agenda for action.

The Mayor and Council then discussed the preparation and submission of Grant requests for gaming revenues available in Palo Alto County. The Council is considering the preparation and submission of a grant to offset the cost of demolishing or renovating a Gowrie Street City building and a grant to place new entrance signs on Highway 18.

The Mayor and Council then considered Water, Sewer and Street business. It was reported by Jeff that the River Valley Telephone Company was prepared to convey the vacant lot adjacent to the West of the Ruthven Social Center to the City for nominal consideration. Council member Bentz moved to accept a deed to this lot from River Valley. Council member VerHelst seconded the Motion. The Motion carried with all members present voting “aye”. Jeff suggested that it was now time to winterize the pool bathrooms. He will proceed to accomplish this task. Jeff reported that dispute continued over the payment of expense incurred to repair a water valve serving a residential property. It was the general consensus that this expense was not an obligation of the City but that of the property owner. Jeff agreed to talk with the property owner again about payment of this expense.

The Mayor and Council then noted that there had been two (2) excavations made in City streets which have not been repaired; one for the benefit of the Ruthven Care Center on Mitchell Street and one to replace the sanitary sewer serving the Barber property at Washington and Center Streets. Council member Schoning moved and Council member VerHelst seconded the Motion to direct the Street Superintendent to contract with an appropriate contractor for the repair of these two (2) excavations with the cost to be paid by the property owners pursuant to the provisions of the Ruthven City Code.

In other business, Council member VerHelst noted that certain street signs had been vandalized during the fall. The Street Department is repairing or replacing the vandalized signs. The Mayor and the Council then discussed replacement of the Church and Service Club signs which had previously existed but were removed when the new City sign was constructed. The Council intends to arrange for the construction of a new mounting bracket and to mount these signs in an appropriate location in South Ruthven on street or highway right-of-way.

There being no further business, Council member Bentz made a Motion to adjourn at 7:30 P.M. The Motion was seconded by Council member Schoning and carried when all members present voted “aye”.

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Charles Oppedal, Mayor

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Donald J. Hemphill, Acting City Clerk