The Volga City Council held a Public Hearing on the proposal to enter into a Water Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement on Monday, March 13, 2023. Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 6:50pm. Council members George Duff, Elaine Follon, Crystal Nicholson and Alex Fettkether answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also in attendance. Motion by Follon to close the public hearing. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:53pm.
Mayor Taylor opened the Public Hearing for the consideration of approval for the FY 24 Budget and Certification of Taxes at 6:55pm. Council members George Duff, Elaine Follon, Crystal Nicholson and Alex Fettkether answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also in attendance. Motion by Duff to close the public hearing. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:58pm.
Mayor Taylor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members George Duff, Elaine Follon, Crystal Nicholson and Alex Fettkether answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also in attendance.
Volga City Outdoor Events Project funding opportunity: Mayor updated council that bridge engineer verified need for inspection of the Cass Street bridge. They will provide a cost for a feasibility study for council for consideration.
Public Comments-Mayor and Council thanked Kristin for her 20 years of service as City Clerk.
Focus Area Updates:
● Transportation Infrastructure: The Community Project Fund Partnership is comprised of Iowa State University, Clayton and Fayette Counties and the City of Volga. The scope of the city’s part of the project is to resurface Washington Street from the intersection of C2W through the Cass Street intersection. The RAISE 2023 application was submitted in March for the School Bus and Emergency Services Transportation Route Resurfacing Project.
● Property Cleanup: Clerk will follow up with the City Attorney on judgements ● Marketing & Promotions: List will be reviewed from the public forum. Website included the city survey and it has been removed. Current camping rates have been updated on website.
Department Updates:
Public Works
Howard discussed the condition and location of the furnace and air conditioner at 601 Washington Street on the City side of the building. Motion by Follon to have Craig Follon inspect the units and request bids if replacement is necessary. Second by Duff. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council reviewed the bids submitted to accept or reject any and all bids received for roof maintenance at 601 Washington Street. Motion by Duff to table the review of the bids pending additional information. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Water/Sewer Department -Water Pressure Project:
The City Council discussed the proforma provided by Speer Financial, Inc. for the Construction loan application of $890,000. This loan will be revenue based solely on the revenues charged by the system annually. The City has decided to take a back-load debt schedule. The City understands that in the future the City may need to increase the charges for service by 2% every year, to keep up with operating expense increases. The City also agrees to take action prior to July 1, 2024 to increase the flat debt/capital
improvement/infrastructure fee from $14, per month, per account to $50, per month, per account. The City is eligible for loan forgiveness on this loan and once this information is provided, further discussion will take place on possible adjustments to the fee increase on or before July 1, 2024.
Motion by Follon to authorize Mayor and Clerk to sign the updated engagement letter with Dorsey & Whitney Bond Counsel (SRF process). Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Taylor presented Resolution 2023-11: A Resolution authorizing and approving a Loan and Disbursement Agreement and providing for the issuance and securing the payment of $890,000 Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2023. Motion by Nicholson to approve Resolution 2023-11. Second by Duff. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Fettkether, Duff, Follon. Nayes: none. Absent: Christeleit.
Mayor Taylor presented Resolution 2023-12: A Resolution Adopting and Approving Tax Compliance Procedures Relating to Tax Exempt Bonds. Motion by Duff to approve Resolution 2023-12. Second by Fettkether. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Fettkether, Duff, Follon. Nayes: none. Absent: Christeleit.
Mayor Taylor presented Resolution 2023-13: A Resolution approving contract and performance and/or payment bonds for the Water System Improvements 2023 Project. Motion by Nicholson to approve Resolution 2023-13. Second by Follon. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Fettkether, Duff, Follon. Nayes: none. Absent: Christeleit.
Administration:
Motion by Duff to schedule the regular June Council meeting for June 5, 2023 at 7pm . Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Follon to schedule Spring Cleanup days for April 25 (scrap) and 26 . Second by Duff. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
USDA Project: Council discussed existing Sewer funds to determine if an internal fund loan from sewer funds loan to finance with repayment is an option to finance a portion of the proposed USDA project.
Mayor Taylor presented Resolution 2023-15: A Resolution authorizing internal advance to USDA Community Facilities Project -Public Works Subfund. Motion by Follon to approve Resolution 2023-15. Second by Fettkether. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Fettkether, Duff, Follon. Nayes: none. Absent: Christeleit
Approve First Reading of Ordinance #170: Alliant Energy Franchise Renewal. Motion by Duff to table due to lack of response. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Nicholson to table the Bridge Permit: Moyna Materials and Bridge Permit: Dave Palas until information is received from the engineer and bridge inspector. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
FY 23-24 Annual Budget Work Session: Mayor Taylor presented Resolution 2023-16: Certification of taxes and FY 24 budget. Motion by Follon to approve Resolution 2023-16. Second by Fettkether. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Fettkether, Duff, Follon. Nayes: none. Absent: Christeleit
Emergency Services: First Responders will be assisting with the Gravel Bike Race on April 29. The Fire Department will host their spring breakfast on March 26.
Park Board: McDonald reported that the campground full-hookup sites are full for the Diesel Truck Cruise weekend. Motion by Duff to offer additional non-hookup spots to be designated in the former native prairie grass area. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Library City Hall Planning Committee: Mayor Taylor discussed the process to move forward on the project at 601 Washington Street. The improvements approved under the local floodplain permit included the electrical upgrades. Roof will be worked on as a maintenance item with contact to IDNR. Interior finishes do not require permits from IDNR. Motion by Duff to request bids for the electrical work at 601 Washington Street due April 6. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Clayton County Development Group is working on the Clayton County Fact Book to update local items and photographs. In addition, they are working with KWWL on a commercial campaign.
The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report –Feb 2023, 4) Bank Reconciliation –Feb 2023, and 5) Monthly Budget Report. Motion by Fettkether to approve the consent agenda. Second by Duff. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Delinquent Utilities were reviewed and shut-offs authorized.
Motion by Duff to adjourn. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 9:14pm.