CITY OF LUZERNE

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS – THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022, 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 Jeani Brandt, Kyla Buttikofer, Kelly Kendall, Lorin Potter, and Barbara Shields were present. Fire Chief Dan Martin arrived at 7:40 PM.

Kendall moved to accept the previous meeting’s minutes as read, seconded by Brandt. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

Kendall moved to allow the following bills, seconded by Buttikofer,

• J & R Sanitation- March pick-up $350.00
• Poweshiek Water 37.00
• USA Communications -15.52
• Alliant Energy – meter $95.91, streetlights $302.63 398.54
• Jan Kendall – postage $2.16, 133 copies at $.10 15.46
• Jan Kendall – gross wages $166.66, minus FICA, IPERS & SS 143.43
• Jan Kendall – IPERS 26.21
• Dan Martin – city pick-up tire repair 75.00
• Kelly Kendall – 1.5 hours snow plowing 22.50
• John Brandt- wages $150.00 minus FICA & SS 138.52
• Benton County Library Association – annual contract fees 900.00
• Hupfeld Stump Removal – tree at 109 W IA St. 1,000.00
• Postmaster – 1 book of stamps 11.60

Drahn Insurance – commercial fire $690.00, general liability $565.00, commercial property $2,420.00, inland marine $151.00, fire trucks $2,110.00, city pick up $278.00. Roll call vote -Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on nuisances. The mayor reported there are two suspected Pit Bull Terriers living at a residence in the city which were seen running in the street. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to send a letter to the dog owners, advising them of the city ordinances which state that Pit Bulls and any variance of the breed are banned as well as dogs running at large is prohibited, seconded by Buttikofer. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on uses for the American Rescue Plan funds. A bid from Hatch Grading and Contracting for culvert work on the east end of the park and possibly the area southeast of the park was discussed. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to use the ARPA funds for infrastructure, seconded by Buttikofer. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried. The item will be put on a future agenda.

The mayor opened discussion on an update of the fire department’s compliance with the city audit. The clerk reported the city has received bank statements from the fire department for November and December 2021 and January and February 2022, so the city is still missing July through October 2021. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to send a letter to both the fire chief and the treasurer, prompting them to provide all of the missing statements, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote-Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on the reappointment of the fire chief. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to reappoint Dan Martin as fire chief, seconded by Buttikofer. Roll call vote- Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried. The mayor then swore in the fire chief.

The mayor opened discussion on L.L. Pelling’s bid for street repairs. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to accept Pelling’s bid, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

Under further business, the mayor reported the tree which was growing in the berm at 109 West Iowa Street has been cut down by Hupfeld Stump Removal.

With no further business on the agenda, Kendall moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM. Roll call vote- Brandt aye, Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Potter aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.