Strawberry Point City Council
Regular Meeting March 15, 2023
The Strawberry Point City Council met for a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers within Strawberry Point City Hall. Mayor Evans presided. Council members answering roll call were Yokiel, Hansel, Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart.
Hansel moved to approve the agenda as presented. Gearhart seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Yokiel, Hansel, Courtnage, Gearhart. Nays: None. Motion passes
PRESENTATIONS/GUESTS
CONSENT AGENDA Minutes from March 1, 2023, City Council Meeting
Claims
Liquor License Approval – D & J Mart
Gould questioned an invoice to Quad Cities Testing coded to two of the same fund numbers, Jared will get it corrected and coded to the correct fund. Gearhart moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Gould, Gearhart, Yokiel. Nays: Courtnage Hansel abstained. Motion passes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A discussion was held with the mayor, council, some of the Ambulance board, Interim-Ambulance Director, and many members of the community about the concerns with the lack of Ambulance service. Bill Wilson, a citizen from Strawberry Point, shared what it was like when he was on the Ambulance crew, how things have changed and how he would like the Ambulance to move forward in the future. After a lengthy discussion with a lot of different ideas on how to help solve the problem with no response from our Ambulance Service, the length of time it is taking for other communities to respond, the police department responding when they are on duty and the need of EMT’s everywhere, it was decided that a work session will be held Monday, March 27th at 8:00 P.M.
INFORMATION
The Strawberry Point Fireman’s Association minutes from February 8,2023, February 22, 2023, and the Strawberry Point Public Library Board minutes from February 21,2023 were received and filed. Council reviewed the February Delinquent Account List.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Evans opened the Public Hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Maximum Property Tax Levy at 6:30P.M. Hearing no comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6: 31P.M
Gearhart made the motion to approve Resolution #23-01 approving the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Maximum Property Tax Levy. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart, Yokiel, Hansel. Nays: None. Motion passes.
Gearhart moved to approve setting the date of Public Hearing for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for April 19th at 6:00P.M. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Courtnage, Gearhart. Yokiel, Hansel, Gould. Nays: None. Motion passes.
Gould moved to allow Berry Tender Child Care to apply for a grant through Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation for window and other improvements at the Civic Center. Hansel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Gearhart, Courtnage, Yokiel, Hansel, Gould. Nays: None. Abstain: Courtnage. Motion passes
Bob Maker and Luke Dement requested approval for the Strawberry Days Truck and Tractor Pull to be held on June 11, 2024. Courtnage moved to allow the tractor pull to be held on Strawberry Days. Hansel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Yokiel, Hansel, Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart. Nays: None. Motion passes.
Courtnage moved to approve a quote from Ziegler CAT Power Systems to replace failed medium voltage wiring at the Gen Plant. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Hansel, Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart, Yokiel. Nays: None. Abstain: Courtnage. Motion passes
Crystal Thole with the Chamber and Development Club asked the council to pay $350.00 for a special outlet to be put in at the Strawberry Days Festival grounds. The outlet will be used for the Delaware County Dairy Promoters ice cream trailer on Strawberry Days. Hansel moved to approve the outlet at the Strawberry Days Festival Grounds. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Gould, Courtnage, Hansel, Yokiel. Nays: None. Abstain: Gearhart. Motion passes
Discussion was held on the need to replace the Strawberry Point Street banners. The Chamber and Development Club had gotten a quote from Rivals with three different designs. The Council decided to put it out on Facebook for the public to vote on their favorite design. Then at the next council meeting they will announce a winner.
Courtnage moved to pledge $500.00 to Clayton County Development Group. To match the pledge to Clayton County Development Group of $1,000.00, the city will pay $500.00, and the Chamber and Development Club would pay $500.00. Yokiel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Courtnage, Yokiel, Hansel, Gould. Nays: None. Abstain: Gearhart. Motion passes
Hansel moved to approve purchasing the liability Insurance for Strawberry Days. Courtnage seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Yokiel, Hansel, Gould, Courtnage. Nays: None. Abstain: Gearhart. Motion passes
Gearhart moved to approve Park and Rec to hold an Easter Egg Hunt at the Civic Center on April 8th. Hansel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Yokiel, Hansel, Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart. Nays: None. Abstain: Courtnage. Motion passes
Pam Vaske with Smith Insurance gave an update on some of the increases and changes on the 2023 Insurance Renewal policy. Hansel moved to accept the insurance renewal with the $10,000.00 deductible on Property saving approximately 15%, also the $10,000.00 deductible on commercial output saving approximately $415.00, leave the Civic Center the same as it was on the previous policy, removing two vehicles off the policy and increase the boiler & machinery coverage. Courtnage seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Hansel, Gould, Courtnage, Gearhart, Yokiel. Nays: None. Motion passes.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Evans mentioned that she had received an email from Josh Demmer with a change order for the Civic Center Project. The change in the amount of $488.00 will cover some duct work that needs to be moved. Since it under Jared’s spending limit she can go ahead and issue a check for that change order.
Hansel wanted to thank the Fire Department for the pancake breakfast they put on, she appreciates the members of the council that did show up to the breakfast. They had a great turn out with about 400 people attending. Courtnage mentioned they had people from Jessup attend, it’s was the family of the girl they rescued out at Backbone, she is doing very well, they are a great family. Gould can attest that it was very good.
Bill Wilson would like to see our local hero Ben Corell honored by the city in some way or another. He was on the Ambulance and Fire Department for the city, he is a two-star general and served the longest term in Afghanistan. Mayor Evans stated she is open to suggestions.
With there being no other business, Hansel moved to adjourn at 719 p.m. Gearhart seconded the motion. All ayes.