KALONA, IOWA
CITY HALL
April 15, 7:00 PM
Regular meeting of the Kalona City Council with Mayor Robe presiding. Motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by G Schmidt, to approve the agenda, with all voting yes.
Council members present: Bender, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim. J Schmidt was absent.
Motion was made by Beisheim and seconded by G Schmidt approving the minutes of the meeting from April 1, 2024, with all voting yes, the minutes were approved and published.
On a motion by Beisheim and seconded by Spitzer, the following bills were allowed with all voting yes. (See below list of bills)
A Tech/Freeman Alarm, Library Board 156.00
Access Systems, Monthly 131.59
Acco, Pool chemicals 957.40
Albert Schwartz, WCR - Library Teen Area 1,000.00
Amazon, Library Memorial/Library Teen Area 2,082.59
Amazon, office 25.99
Automated Logic Contracting, Library Board 1,780.50
Chem-Sult, Water Chemicals 694.00
City of Kalona, Library Board 11.76
City of Kalona, General to Water - ACH 14,545.56
City of Kalona, Final Water Bill - Rent Deposit - Whitaker 49.92
Cj’s Oil, Fuel 1,337.07
Dave Whitaker, Refund Water Rent Deposit Balance 50.08
Delta Dental, Vision Insurance 82.60
Delta Dental of Iowa, Dental Insurance 688.78
Demco, Library Board 207.14
Eastern Iowa Light & Power, Street Lighting 32.25
Golden Delight Bakery, Street Cleaning 20.00
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll Taxes) 2,207.99
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Budget) 7,090.04
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Sewer (Budget) 4,348.96
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll) 5,954.50
Itech, Monthly 271.35
Johnson County Refuse, Yard Waste Container 75.00
Kalona Builders Supply, supplies 80.36
Kalona Coop Technology, WCR-Library Teen Area 5,022.77
Kalona Historical Society, WCR-Matching Funds 458.87
Kuenster Heating & Air, rec repairs 287.25
Lakeshore, WCR-Library Teen Area 2,663.40
Maple Avenue Nursery, Downtown Flower Baskets 2,139.50
Mid-Iowa Solid Waste Equipment, Street Sweeper Parts 1,047.60
Office Express, Library Board 296.32
Our Iowa Magazine, Kalona Chamber Match 686.50
Principal Life Insurance, Life Insurance 310.41
River Products, Rock 1,472.67
Schumacher Elevator Company, Annual Rec Elevator Maintenance 2,050.50
Standard Pest Control, Monthly 85.00
State Hygienic Laboratory, Water/Sewer Testing 140.00
The Appliance Barn, C Avenue - Student House 6,492.00
The News, Publications 975.88
The Northway Corporation, Well #4 Service 3,505.60
Thrapp Electric, Campground Electrical Service 827.60
Tyler Technologies, Quarterly Utility Notices 27.20
Uline, WCR - Library Teen Area 409.08
UMC Bank, Rec Bond Principal/Interest 233,382.50
Washington County Auditor, Sheriff Contract-April/June 59,854.25
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Insurance 7,819.51
WITHDRAWALS:
Transfer funds $ 19,601.49
General Fund 83,309.57
Washington Co. Riverboat Fd 18,046.11
Library Memorial Fund 82.60
Library Board Fund 2,570.00
Local Option Sales Tax Fund 75.00
Road Use Fund 2,384.67
Trust & Agency Fund 2,944.90
Debt Service Fund 233,382.50
Water Fund 7,090.04
Sewer Fund 4,348.96
DEPOSITS:
Transfer Funds $ 47,588.64
General Fund 363,519.19
Library Memorial Fund 250.00
Library Board Fund 11,232.01
Garbage Fund 16,227.55
Storm Sewer Utility Fund 3,652.17
Trust & Agency Fund 64,203.22
Tax Increment Finance Fund 121,896.81
Debt Service Fund 20,322.92
Water Fund 17,082.82
Sewer Fund 4,044.72
Public Form:
1) Chad Ellis with Washington County Sheriff’s Office was present to share calls for service in March and general discussion.
7:00 PM Public Hearing for the proposed 2024-2025 Budget, was open with there being no oral or written comments, the hearing was closed.
Resolution 2024-M, a resolution approving the Budget for 2024-2025. The tax levy proposed was $10.36 per $1,000.00, which is the same as last year’s levy. A motion was made by G Schmidt, and seconded by Bender, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the same. The council was then polled with Bender, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim each voting yes. J Schmidt was absent. The motion carried.
Consideration of Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division License Renewal for the following:
Timeless Charm – Special Class B Retail Native Wine License.
The motion was made by G Schmidt and seconded by Beisheim. With a 3-1 vote, the motion was carried.
Discussion of entering a facility master plan for water treatment plants with Garden & Associates was held by the council. Garden & Associates would evaluate the existing water systems and water plants to make immediate and future recommendations to the council for operations. The cost of $26,000.00 would be paid out of the water fund. Motion was made by Bender, and seconded by Spitzer, giving city staff the direction to proceed. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Discussion of receiving a grant award with Enhance Iowa for $400,000.00, for the Southtown Recreational Area, was held by the council. The awarded amount will go towards the bonding to complete the recreation area. Motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by G Schmidt accepting the grant. With a voting yes, the motion carried.
Discussion of receiving a grant award with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security, and Emergency Management for Flood Mitigation funds for the Yoder Property was held by the council. The awarded amount will go towards mitigation for future development. Staff will work with the State on how the funds will need to be outlined in the RFQ/RFP for the development. Motion was made by Bender and seconded by Spitzer accepting the grant. With a voting yes, the motion carried.
Acceptance of resignation effective May 1, 2024, of City Attorney Bill Sueppel – Meardon, Sueppel & Downer. City staff will meet with other potential attorneys to work with moving forward. Staff will share law firm recommendations at a future date with the finance community and then report back to the council with recommendations. The council directed staff to move forward.
Consideration of entering into a 28-E agreement with Washington County Engineering for bridge design was held by the council. The agreement would not exceed $25,000.00 for a bridge design going from N Avenue into the future Yoder Property development. City staff will send an informational letter to property owners on that street letting them know of a plan to connect. Motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by G Schmidt, with a voting yes. The motion was carried.
The meeting was adjourned.
SARAH CHMELAR, City Clerk
MARK ROBE, Mayor
Published in The News, Thursday, April 25, 2024 L-184
