CITY OF NORWAY
May 15th, 2023

Rescheduled meeting of the Norway City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruce Volz at 5:09 PM. Roll Call – Present: Robby Miller, Karson Kuester, Kevin Frese, Absent: Ron Miller, & Kelly Luedtke.

Motion to accept agenda, minutes, claims, & treasurer’s report presented by K. Kuester and seconded by K. Frese. Motion carried 3-0.

Ordinance 335 – Water Rates second reading. The increase in water rates is being done to help sustain the water fund. Motion to approve the second reading by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

Motion to waive the third reading of ordinance 335 by K. Frese and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.
Ordinance 335 passes.

Prairie Creek Saloon’s liquor license was submitted for renewal. Motion to approve made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

I.T. Professionals submitted a request to the City Council to approve new anti-virus software for all city computers. Motion to approve made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

Alliant Energy will be installing a new street line located on Line St. The original location of the streetlight was to be on the west side of line street. After hearing resident concerns about the location, the new streetlight will now be installed on the east side of Line street with wiring being installed underground. Motion to approve installing the new streetlight made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

Mayor Volz presented information to the council concerning a CDBG grant. Mayor Volz has spoken with the Iowa DNR about the requirement of adding a pressure booster system into the city and expressed the concern of being able to fund such a costly project. After speaking with the DNR, they are willing to work with the city to ensure this project can get done including help with grants and/or forgivable loans. The city will be providing all necessary information to the DNR to help push this project to the construction phase. The lowest and highest PSIs within the city were discussed. Along with providing a water pressure map to the DNR the council will also be reviewing this information as well. The city is also working closely with our engineers to help oversee this project.

A letter of recommendation from Snyder & Associates stating that the wastewater treatment plant work and property grading work has been completed and satisfies the city’s expectations and the city should release the final retainage fee held back previously to Boomerang was presented. Boomerang also submitted a letter to release the final retainage fee in the amount of $5,000.00 due to the work being completed. Motion to release the final retainage fee made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

Motion to approve Resolution 23-06 allowing the city clerk to submit utility liens against a property made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Frese. Motion carried 3-0.

The city of Norway’s park director has resigned therefore the city is looking to fill this position. Park Director duties were discussed including but not limited to mowing, maintaining playground equipment, and the upkeep of the pavilion. In the meantime, Mayor Volz has taken the responsibility of looking after the park pavilion. The city received a bid to hire out the mowing services for city property from L.J. Mowing and Tilling Services in the amount of $1,900.00. Motion to accept the bid made by K. Frese and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

The position of the mayor pro-tem was discussed. The current mayor pro-tem, Ron Miller, has not been able to attend many meetings. The individual serving as mayor pro-tem is expected to be at most if not all council meetings. Motion to appoint Robby Miller as pro-tem made by K. Frese and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 3-0.

109 Union Street has failed to schedule a new water meter with Ferguson Waterworks. Due to receiving multiple notices in several different forms, the council decided to proceed with the water shut off until the new meter has been installed and shut off fees have been paid. Motion K. Kuester seconded by K. Frese. Motion carried 3-0.

The relocation of the emergency siren was again discussed. The city has a company ready to relocate the siren and pole and install the electrical elements. The city is waiting for the go ahead from the insurance company. The costs for a new weed sprayer and mower were discussed. Motion Robby Miller seconded by K. Kuester to purchase the weed sprayer and mower not to exceed $1,000.00. Motion carried 3-0.

The past due balance on the utility account of 203 Dewey St unit #4 was discussed. The council ruled that according to the Norway code of ordinances it does state that both the homeowner and the tenant are jointly liable for all utility service charges to the premises therefore that ordinance will be upheld and enforced as it has been for all past account holders.

Mayor Volz announced that he is still waiting to hear back to see if the city will be granted the funding for the generator. Mayor Volz also verbalized to the council again that we are looking into specific types of trees to plant in the city. There will be a need to recruit a small group of volunteers to help plant the trees once they are obtained.

Nuisance properties will be receiving letters which include properties with grass or weeds 8” in length or higher, trailers and vehicles parked in yards, as well as unusable items sitting in yards and unlicensed vehicles. Please ensure you are not in violation of any of the ordinances.

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 504 Sweetbriar Dr for a 10 x 14 shed.

Public comments included the concern of junk and junk vehicles being stored on properties as well as unfinished building projects that have been left untouched for well over a year.

Mayor Volz provided the council with information that flowers along railroad street will be planted in the planters
soon.

Public Works asked the council what their decision is for well #3. The council would like to inquire if the repair can be included in the water pressure booster system project costs. The concern of not being able to afford the outright expense of the repair was mentioned.

Council concerns included a garage on the North side of Norway which seems that it could cave in at any time due to foundation issues.

The Council also mentioned that city wide clen up day is this Saturday, May 20th from 6:30am-10:30am. Please bring your unwanted items to the city shed located south of the train tracks on South St.

Motion to adjourn at 6:19pm made by Robby Miller and seconded by K. Frese. Motion carried 3-0.

Bruce Volz, Mayor
Kennedy Judkins, City Clerk