CITY OF NORWAY
April 10th, 2023

Regular meeting of the Norway City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruce Volz at 5:00 PM. Roll Call – Present: Robby Miller, Karson Kuester, Kevin Frese, Kelly Luedtke. Absent: Ron Miller.

Motion to accept agenda, minutes, claims, & treasurer’s report presented by Robby Miller and seconded by Karson Kuester. Motion carried 4-0.

Mayor Volz opened the FY24 Budget Public Hearing at 5:01pm. Hearing no comments, written or oral, Mayor Volz closed the FY24 Budget Public Hearing at 5:02pm.

Motion Robby Miller seconded by Karson Kuester to approve Resolution 23-03 adopting the FY24 Norway City Budget. Roll Call Vote- Ayes: K. Luedtke, Robby Miller, K. Frese, & K. Kuester. Nays: None. Absent: Ron Miller. Motion carried 4-0.

Mike Rummel was present to submit his application to the Norway City Council concerning the voluntary annexation of his property located North of Norway on Florence St. Mike Rummel provided maps depicting the possible property lines to be annexed into Norway city limits. The council advised Mayor Volz to proceed with the annexation process. Motion to proceed with the annexation process made by K. Frese and seconded by K. Luedtke. Motion carried 4-0.

Shona Frese was not present. Agenda item number 6 was skipped.

Justin Judkins was present to ask the council for a handicapped parking sign in front of his property at 106 W Johnson St. This would allow for only legally marked handicapped vehicles to park in this space. Motion to amend the parking ordinance to allow the handicapped sign to be placed made by K. Luedtke and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 4-0.

Lori Haage was not present at the time agenda item number 8 was called. Lori Haage arrived later in the meeting to discuss her questions concerning her utility account with the council.

Motion K. Luedtke seconded by K. Kuester to approve resolution 23-04 transferring funds from the Christmas in Norway and the Sesquicentennial bank accounts to the bank account of the Norway Community Organization. Roll Call Vote- Ayes: K. Luedtke, Robby Miller, K. Frese, & K. Kuester. Nays: None. Absent: Ron Miller. Motion carried 4-0.

The sale of the lot titled “country view estates” parcel “C” located on Sweetbriar Dr. was discussed. The council determined the bidding for this lot will be open for 60 days beginning April 14th, 2023. The lot is .33 acres. Once
a buyer is determined at the June 12th, 2023, council meeting, the buyer then has exactly one year to build a stick built home only on the lot. The minimum bid starts at $20,000. The buyer is also responsible for all closing costs and any fees associated with the sale of this lot. Motion to approve made by K. Kuester and seconded by K. Frese. Motion carried 4-0.

James Van Scoyoc has approached the council with the intention to file a quit claim deed for an alley currently located south of his property. The city will be creating a legal description of this property and will then set a public hearing date to proceed with the process. Any money or costs associated with the filing of the quit claim deed will be paid by the landowner.

Mayor Volz approached the council with the need for the city to purchase a weed sprayer for the tractor. The sprayer should be a 3-point battery operated weed sprayer with a 50-gallon tank. The council asked for more info in order to proceed with the purchase.

A citizen approached Mayor Volz concerning the replacement of an underground water shut off valve. The shut off valve has rusted off and become inoperable. The ordinance states that any part of the water service line up until the water main is the homeowner’s responsibility. The council advised the mayor to consult with the city attorney concerning this matter.

Another homeowner has a tree stump in need of removal. The tree stump is half on the homeowner’s property and half on the city’s property. The city will pay for half of the tree stump removal.

Emergency Siren Update- Mayor Volz has consulted with Alliant Energy to ask if they could help with the relocation of an emergency siren into city limits. Alliant would relocate the pole if another contractor would relocate the electrical hardware. Mayor Volz will consult with G&H electric to get a quote to relocate the electric hardware. Mayor Volz also received a quote from Blue Valley Public Safety in the amount of $6,150.00 to complete the entire project.

Ordinance 335- Amending Water Rates was discussed. This ordinance proposes an increase to the minimum
monthly water charge with specifics to the types of buildings within Norway including residential, multi-family, schools, industry, and convenience stores. A property owner asked the council to consider multi-tenants minimum charges. Motion Robby Miller seconded by K. Kuester to pass and approve the first reading of ordinance 335 amending water rates. The 2nd reading will be at the May 8th, 2023, council meeting. Motion carried 4-0.

Mayor Volz presented information outlining the need to add a security door the City of Norway office. Motion to proceed with installing a security door made by K. Frese and seconded by K. Luedtke. Motion carried 4-0.

Mayor Volz presented information on the grant in the amount of $2,500 received for the city to purchase more trees to be planted. Mayor Volz also put in a grant request for power generators in the amount of $35,000. Mayor Volz met with EICOG who is writing the grant. This grant is to be finalized in the month of April. Further updates to follow.

Nuisance properties were discussed. Owners of the properties in violation will be receiving the appropriate letters.

Please note that “city wide clean up day” is May 20th, 2023.

Approved building permit applications include 214 W Railroad St for the resurfacing of the driveway, 301 E Washington for a detached garage, and 308 Main St for a wooden front deck.

Public comments included the concern of junk and junk vehicles being stored on properties as well as dogs continuously barking late at night. The city asks that you please ensure your properties are kept up to code and to bring your dogs inside or control their barking after 9 pm. Loud vehicles are also a concern being brought up and are disturbing residents. Please be kind and considerate to your neighbors.

Motion Robby Miller and seconded by K. Frese to proceed with adding curbs and gutters to Johnson St and to tar seal Johnson St. and Union St. Motion carried 4-0.

The Public Works Director, Mike Miller, asked the council for directions on what they would like done with Well 3. The council will have an answer at the May 8th, 2023, council meeting.

Council member K. Frese asked that reflective tape be put on posts around town which are hard to see at night.

Motion to adjourn at 6:50pm made by Robby Miller and seconded by Karson Kuester. Motion carried 4-0.

Bruce Volz, Mayor
Kennedy Judkins, City Clerk