COUNCIL: Atkins council Dec. 19 and 21

City of Atkins Iowa
City Council Meeting
Monday, December 19, 2021, at 5:30 p.m.
Council Room, City Hall, 480 Third Avenue, Atkins Iowa, 52206
Mayor Bruce Visser called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. Present were DeMeulenaere,
Rinderknecht, Robison, Spading, Svejda via online. Also present were Ryan Tang – City
Attorney and Holly Crockery – City Human Resource Attorney.
Spading moved to enter closed session as allowed by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).
Rinderknecht seconded. City Attorney Ryan Tang provided oral guidance to the City Council
concerning the matter to be discussed was appropriate for closed session pursuant to Iowa Code
Section 21.5(1)(c). Where litigation is imminent. Ayes: Rinderknecht, Spading, Svejda. Nays:
DeMeulenaere, and Robison. A super majority is needed to enter closed session, Mayor Visser
declared the motion to enter closed session failed.
Spading moved to adjourn meeting. Rinderknecht seconded. Ayes: Spading, Svejda,
DeMeulenaere, Robison, and Rinderknecht. Motion carried.
Adjournment time was 5:44 p.m.


Kelly Groskurth, City Administrator/City Clerk
Bruce Visser, Mayor

City of Atkins Iowa
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Council Room, City Hall, 480 Third Avenue, Atkins Iowa, 52206
Mayor Bruce Visser called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were DeMeulenaere,
Rinderknecht, Spading, and Svejda. Absent was Robison. Also present were, Ryan Tang – City
Attorney, and Groskurth.
Spading moved to approve agenda. Svejda seconded. Ayes: DeMeulenaere, Rinderknecht,
Spading, and Svejda. Motion Carried.
Spading moved to amend consent agenda by removing Resolution 922 approving City meeting
calendar for 2022. Svejda seconded. Ayes: Rinderknecht, Spading, Svejda, and DeMeulenaere.
Motion Carried. Spading moved to approve consent agenda. DeMeulenaere seconded. Ayes:
Spading, Svejda, DeMeulenaere, and Rinderknecht. Motion carried. The consent agenda was as follows:
• Approval of December 6, 2021, Minutes,
• Engineers Report, Resolution 923 appointing the City Attorney, Ryan Tang to a two-year
term,
• Resolution 925 approving the Atkins Fire Department Election of Officers for 2022,
• Resolution 926 approving minor boundary change for Stone Ridge First Addition Lot 23,
• Resolution 927 approving preliminary plat and final plat for Atkins Lumber 2nd Addition
contingent on meeting City Engineer’s requirements,
• Resolution 930 Accepting the Resignations of Gordy Jacobsen and Linda Clark from the
Planning and Zoning Commission, and the following bills:

  • ACCESS SYSTEMS MANAGED SERVICES 646.88
  • ACME TOOLS BANDSAW BLADE, TAPE MEASURE 319.97
  • ALLIANT ENERGY UTILITIES 22.82
  • BROWN SUPPLY CO LETTERING ‘STORM SEWER’ 19.00
  • Cardmember Service NOVEMBER TRANSACTIONS 1,395.06
  • CHEM-SULT, INC. CHEMICALS 3,564.86
  • CJ COOPER & ASSOC., INC ANNUAL ADMIN FEE 200.00
  • D P PROPERTIES &/OR CLEANING PARK/LIBRARY 494.00
  • DELTA DENTAL DENTAL INSURANCE 238.72
  • ECICOG FEMA ADMIN FS 487.50
  • EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 3,334.88
  • FASTENAL WASHER FOR STREETS 39.34
  • FUTURE LINE TRUCK EQUIPMT power/ground cable/plow 111.42
  • GAZETTE COMMUNICATIONS, Inc. MINUTES 213.06
  • HI – VIZ SAFETY SAFETY CLOTHES 2,129.00
  • IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL MAYOR ASSO DUES 30.00
  • JARROD TOMILNSON HSA 900.00
  • JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL ROAD-SHOVEL/SCRAPER/SPADE 158.89
  • JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD EASY READING PROGRAM 315.30
  • LYNCH DALLAS, P.C. LEGAL SERVICES 1,336.50
  • MENARD’S PARKS / WATER METER TOOLS 225.20
  • METER & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS WATER METERS & METER SUPPLIES 1,874.84
  • MIDAMERICAN ENERGY Utilities 168.36
  • MIDAMERICAN ENERGY Utilities 735.10
  • MIKE RAMMELSBERG HSA 578.61
  • RABE HARDWARE TOILET REPAIR AT PAVILION 402.65
  • STAR EQUIPMENT TRAILER RENTAL 900.00
  • Ryan Tang LEGAL FEES 11,291.40
  • TODD DAMON HSA 1,937.50
  • TODD DAMON MILEAGE THROUGH 220.08
  • U S CELLULAR CELL PHONES 236.40
  • UMB BANK NA BOND FEES 500.00
  • VAN METER INC. BATTERIES 126.67
  • WASTE MANAGEMENT GARBAGE COLLECTION 12,814.84
  • WELLMARK BC/BS OF IOWA INSURANCE 2,413.89
  • WILD’S CUSTOM MOWING MOWING 65.00
  • Accounts Payable Total 50,447.74
  • Invoices: Paid 50,450.74
  • Payroll Checks 9,766.78
  • REPORT TOTAL 60,214.52
  • GENERAL 37,814.41
  • ROAD USE TAX 5,987.15
  • LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 80.22
  • DEBT SERVICE 500.00
  • FEMA 487.50
  • WATER 12,365.14
  • SEWER 2,980.10
  • TOTAL FUNDS 60,214.52

Svejda moved to approve Resolution 917 Public Censure of City Council member Julie
DeMeulenaere. Spading seconded. City attorney Ryan Tang advised Council member
DeMeulenaere to recuse herself from the vote. Ayes: Svejda, Rinderknecht, and Spading.
Nays: DeMeulenaere. Motion carried.
Spading moved to approve Resolution 928 accepting the Resignation of Lana Robison from City Council and stating Council’s intent to fill vacancy on December 30, 2021. Svejda seconded.
Ayes: Rinderknecht, Spading, and Svejda. Nays: DeMeulenaere. Motion Carried.
Spading moved to approve Resolution 918 approving the Annual Urban Renewal Report
(AURR) FY 2020-2021. Svejda seconded. Ayes: Spading, Svejda, Rinderknecht, and
DeMeulenaere. Motion Carried.
Svejda moved to approve Resolution 919 appointing Jeremy Rinderknecht to the Planning and
Zoning Commission. Spading second. City attorney Ryan Tang advised Council member
Rinderknecht to recuse herself from the vote. Ayes: Spading and Svejda. Nays: none.
Abstained: DeMeulenaere. Recused: Rinderknecht. Motion carried.
Spading moved to approve Resolution 929 appointing Ryan Hosch to Planning and Zoning
Commission. Svejda seconded. Ayes: Svejda, Spading, and Rinderknecht. Nays: none.
Abstained: DeMeulenaere. Motion carried.
Spading moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 225 an ordinance amending
Chapter 106 Collection of Solid Waste, specifically Collection Fees. Svejda seconded. Ayes:
Spading, Rinderknecht, Svejda, and DeMeulenaere. Motion Carried. Spading moved to suspend rules and proceed directly to 3rd reading of Ordinance No. 225. Svejda seconded. Ayes: Rinderknecht, Svejda, DeMeulenaere, and Spading. Motion carried. Spading moved to approve the 3rd reading of Ordinance No. 225. Svejda seconded. Ayes: Rinderknecht, Svejda,
DeMeulenaere, and Spading. Motion Carried.
Svejda moved to approve Resolution 920 approving Letter of Engagement with Dorsey and
Whitney as the City’s General Bond Council for the purpose of the proposed issuance of General Obligation Corporate Purpose bonds. Rinderknecht seconded. Ayes: Svejda, Spading, and Rinderknecht. Nays: DeMeulenaere. Motion carried.
Spading moved to approve Resolution 921 setting the date for public hearing and additional
action on proposal to enter into General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and to
borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $3,600,000. Rinderknecht
seconded. Ayes: Spading, Rinderknecht, Svejda. Nays: DeMeulenaere. Motion Carried.
Mayor’s Update: Discussion with Sheriff’s office regarding law enforcement continues. Storm
recovery continues, continue to work on rebuilding the fire station, gazebo, and tree removal.
Modification of the Temporary fire station continues to wait for supplies. Appreciation to the
Fire Department for providing services to the community and their patience in working from a
temporary station.
Public Works Update: Crews are ready for snow removal and ask for public’s assistance to
ensure all vehicles are off the street during snow removal efforts. Water facility quarterly test
results are good. The TTHM’s levels are good. Iowa Department of Natural Resources will
notify city as to what letter if any needs to be sent to public.
Public Input of items not on the agenda:
No public input from citizens attending meeting online. Citizen asked for clarification regarding
Censure. City Attorney, Ryan Tang informed public Censure involves matter appropriately
addressed in closed session that involves issues of litigation. Tang further advised public; the
council members are aware of the conduct regarding the Censure. Council member elect Bell
began criticizing council members. Mayor Visser called Bell out of order and informed there is
to be no criticism of members present or not present. Attempts to verbally attack council
members continued. Mayor Visser called Bell out of order. City Attorney stated Bell could be
removed from meeting. Mayor Visser called Bell out of order. Bell stopped and was allowed to
stay. Several Citizens thanked council members, whose terms in office were ending, for their
time and service to the City. Special mention of how the council handled the Derecho and the
continued recovery was made.
The next Regular Council Meeting to be held Monday, January 3, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
council Room, 4803rd Avenue, Atkins, Iowa.
Svejda moved to adjourn. Spading seconded. Ayes: Svejda, Rinderknecht, DeMeulenaere, and
Spading. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.


Kelly Groskurth, City Administrator
Bruce Visser, Mayor

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