The Volga City Council held a regular Council meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023 in the Volga City Hall. Mayor Carrie Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members Alex Fettkether, Crystal Nicholson, George Duff, and Elaine Follon answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also present.
Council reviewed the Property Use Agreement to establish a fee schedule. Motion by Duff to charge $30 per area with an accessible restroom per event day. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Nicholson to approve the 2023 Hold Harmless Agreement. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Duff to approve the Property Use Agreement (with new fee schedule of $60 per event day). Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor.
Public Comments: The Mayor reminded everyone that there is currently no phone or internet service at the library/City Hall until repairs are made, scheduled for Wednesday. The Veteran’s Memorial Flag pole will need to be repaired and Mike is working on it. New American flags will be purchased for the pole at the Veteran’s Memorial and DX Station pole.
Updates on Focus Areas:
Transportation Infrastructure: Motion by Follon to approve submitting a full application to UMGC grant program for accessible approaches throughout the trail system. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Property Cleanup: Initial letters were sent in April. Citations have been sent from the City Attorney for those issued earlier.
Marketing & Promotions: no action
Department Updates-Public Works: Council reviewed bids submitted to accept or reject any and all bids received for the furnace and air conditioner at 601 Washington Street. Motion by Follon to request additional information to clarify bids. Second by Fettkether . All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Duff to approve up to $950 of road rock for street maintenance to be hauled by Public Works. Second by Nicholson . All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council discussed the Iowa’s Living Roadways grant program for maintenance equipment. Motion by Duff to table the application while the IRVM is developed with Public Works. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Department Updates - Water Pressure Project: Motion by Nicholson to set the Public Hearing date for May 30 at 6pm to amend the FY23 Budget. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Duff to approve Payment No. 2 to Ray’s Excavating in the amount of $10,671.98 for Water System Improvements 2023 project work. Second by Follon . All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council reviewed garbage pickup procedures and will prepare an amendment to the Code to limit weekly bags to a maximum of 6 bags per week per household. The ordinance will be presented at the June meeting.
Mayor Taylor presented Ordinance #170: Shut Off Fees. Motion by Follon to approve the First Reading of Ordinance #170: Shut Off Fees. Second by Duff. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Follon, Fettkether, Duff. Nays: none. Absent: Christeleit. The First Reading of Ordinance #170 was approved.
Motion by Fettkether to approve to waive the three readings of Ordinance #170: Shut Off fees. Second by Duff. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Follon, Fettkether, Duff. Nays: none. Absent: Christeleit. The Three Readings of Ordinance #170 were waived and Ordinance #170 was approved.
Department Update -Administration: Motion by Duff to table the First Reading of Ordinance #171: Alliant Energy Franchise Renewal until information is received. Second by Follon. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Department Update - Emergency Services: Motion by Follon to approve the city match of $845 for siren electrical project as requested by the Fire Department. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Department Update -Park Board: McDonald has made connections to purchase used street light decorations – 4 candles and 2 trees at a cost of $50 each. The funds will come from the Christmas Light Fund.
Library City Hall Planning Committee: Follon reported that the electrician and architect have been in communication to determine light requirements that need to be ordered.
George Duff left the meeting.
Clayton County Development Group: The Mayor reported that CCFF grants were awarded to the Library and the Park Board. The awards ceremony will be held Tuesday May 16.
The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report –Apr 2023, 4) Bank Reconciliation –Apr 2023, and 5) Monthly Budget Report. Motion by Fettkether to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Second by Follon . All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Delinquent Utilities were reviewed and lien notices and shut offs were authorized.
Motion by Follon to adjourn. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.