CITY OF LUZERNE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS – THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019

7:00 PM

The regular meeting of the Luzerne City Council was called to order by Mayor John Brandt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Kelly Kendall, Patrick McLeod, Lorin Potter and Barbara Shields were present, as was interested citizen Fran Potter. Council member Dwight Glinsmann was absent.

Kendall moved to approve the previous meeting minutes as read, seconded by McLeod. Roll call vote -all ayes, motion carried.

Potter moved to approve the bills, seconded by Kendall:

• J & R Sanitation – May pick-up $325.00
• Poweshiek Water 42.00
• Alliant Energy – meter $48.10, streetlights $285.03 333.13
• Jan Kendall – 2 certified letters @ $3.50 apiece & 61 copies @ $.10 13.10
• John Brandt- reimbursement for doorknobs, lock plates, door sweep & labor 45.00
• Benton County Solid Waste Commission – ¼ yr. landfill use 624.00
• Schulze Mowing 1X 209 E. IA St. mowing 70.00
• Schulze Mowing 5X park mowing 350.00
• Kimm’s Mini Mart – tractor gas 30.51
• Benton County Auditor- deputy wages 152.75
• Hupfeld Stump Removal – 2 loads of park mulch 200.00

Roll call vote-all ayes, motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on the design and color choices for the welcome signs. Potter asked whether the bridge picture could be made bigger than the sample and asked about color choice. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to have the signs made in blue with a bigger bridge picture, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – all ayes, motion carried. The mayor will contact Mr. Mantz to tell him of the council’s decisions and order the signs.

The mayor opened discussion on giving an update on post-sesquicentennial projects. The mayor reported he had put a new lock on the city shed, put door plates on the south door of the meeting room and the northwest door of the community center. He also installed a new door sweep on the door between the meeting room and the bay area of the fire station. The council thanked him for installing those items.

The mayor opened discussion on the recent dog attack. The clerk reported she had contacted the city attorney, who stated because of the circumstances of the attack and the content of the Iowa Code concerning vicious animals, this situation would not fit the criteria for charges to be filed or removal of the animal.

The mayor opened discussion on properties in need of mowing. Council discussion followed. It was decided there are no properties in need of mowing at this time. More council discussion followed. Kendall moved to have Schulze Mowing mow future delinquent properties once a month, unless weather dictates otherwise, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote -all ayes, motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on USA Communications internet and cable hook-up progress. The clerk reported the city had received an email from Curt Eldred of USA Communications. Mr. Eldred shared that the Luzerne project is a definite go, but one of the first hurdles is determining who owns the railroad bridge because whoever owns the bridge (Benton County or Union Pacific) will decide how the fiberoptic cable will cross the railroad tracks. The clerk further reported that the city has not heard back from the Benton County Engineer who was going to check into whether the final payment from the railroad was made to the county when the new bridge was built. The clerk related she is willing to contact Gary Bierschenk, the Benton County Supervisor who represents this region of the county. The item will be put on a future agenda.

The mayor opened discussion on changing the number of council members from the current five to three. The clerk reported the county auditor’s office suggested the council consider changing the number of council members from five to three, because of Luzerne’s population. The council decided to leave the number of council members at five.

The mayor opened discussion on sending a single letter to delinquent unmown property owners. The clerk reported the city attorney said the city could send one letter per mowing season to delinquent property owners, citing the mowing ordinance.

The mayor opened discussion on changing the date of the July council meeting. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to schedule the next regular council meeting for Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM, seconded by Potter. Roll call vote – all ayes, motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on who will inspect chicken permit applicant’s site. Council discussion followed. The mayor volunteered to inspect the sites.

Under further business, the mayor reported the park was mulched a few weeks ago with the help of several volunteers. The mayor noted there are “boil spots” in the street in front of 204 East Iowa Street which are a new development and will be added to the list of repairs for L. L. Pelling. Also, under further business, Kendall reported the last time the city tractor was used he noticed the rear tires were leaking fluid, and may need to be replaced soon. The mayor reported there is a sink hole on the east side of the of park near the alley, and that a citizen may be interested is fixing it with his equipment.

With no further business on the agenda, Kendall moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – all ayes motion carried.

Mayor Clerk