CITY OF NORWAY
August 7th, 2023
Regular meeting of the Norway City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruce Volz at 5:00 PM. Roll Call – Present: Karson Kuester, Robby Miller, Kelly Luedtke, and Kevin Frese Absent: None.
Motion to accept agenda, minutes, claims, and treasurer’s report presented made by K. Frese and seconded by K. Kuester. Motion carried 4-0.
Mayor Bruce Volz opened the vacation and sale of an alley to James Van Scoyoc public hearing at 5:02pm. Hearing no objections written or oral, Mayor Volz closed the public hearing at 5:04pm. Motion K. Kuester seconded by K. Frese to approve resolution 23-10 accepting the vacation and sale of an alley to James Van Scoyoc. Motion carried 4-0.
Motion K. Frese seconded by K. Kuester to approve resolution 23-11 appointing Christopher VanHorn to fill the council seat vacancy created by the resignation of Ron Miller. Christopher VanHorn was sworn in by reading the oath of office and took his seat on the council.
Joe Koehn, a representative from Central Tank Coatings, Inc. was present to provide the council with results of his inspection of the Norway water tower. In his professional opinion the water tower only needs basic maintenance and does not need to be replaced at this time. Further discussion concerning the water pressure booster system took place. Motion R. Miller seconded by Christopher VanHorn to choose the lowest cost option presented for the water pressure booster system in the amount of $1,267,200.00. Along with further discussions to be had with the DNR to give further specifics on what is required of the city concerning this project as well as funding options. Motion carried 5-0.
Allowing chickens within city limits was again discussed. Motion K. Frese seconded by K. Luedtke to leave the livestock ordinance as it currently stands. Motion carried 5-0.
A rough draft of council rules was presented to the council. The council is taking the necessary time to review them and will discuss them further at the September meeting.
Motion R. Miller seconded by K. Kuester to upgrade the internet speed at City Hall. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion K. Kuester seconded by R. Miller to upgrade the accounting software used as the current version will be discontinued. R. Miller mentioned the importance of storing all data on a backup storage drive to ensure loss of data will not occur. Motion carried 5-0.
Currently solar panel installation is not listed in the building regulations. With popularity increasing, the council would like an amendment to the building code be drafted to include solar panel installation which would require a building permit to be obtained by the contractor. This will be presented to the council for approval at the September meeting.
The concern of alleys washing out was again discussed. The city is looking into options and costs to prevent the gravel in the most concerning alley areas from washing away.
Mayor Volz signed a contract with CR Signs to relocate the emergency siren. It will be placed behind the Fire Station. The total cost of the relocation is $4,450.00.
Haage Enterprises utility billing account was again discussed. As the council has previously ruled that the property owner is responsible for the current past due charges, the ruling stands. The amount owed is to be sent in to the county for collection.
The City of Norway received a reimbursable grant for a backup power generator for the Fire Station with the ability to spend up to $50,000. Mayor Volz is working with the ECICOG to obtain a $500,000 grant to help in the funding of the water pressure booster system project. Please look for the random income survey from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments in the mail and take the time to participate so the city may receive grant
funding. Mayor Volz is also looking into grants to purchase a grappling bucket to assist in the removal of dead
trees as well as to purchase a snowplow to attach to the front of the city maintenance truck.
Austin Rust submitted a building permit application to build a garage at his property located at 301 E Washington St -The city will be determining exactly where the sewer easement is located. EMP Investments submitted a permit application to build an 11-unit storage garage at 101 Bickel St. Leon & Karolee Mell submitted applications to install a concrete pad and sidewalk at 212 E Tuttle St. Brad Madison applied for a sidewalk and concrete pad at 216 E Tuttle. Christopher VanHorn applied to install a retaining wall and a gravel pad at 304 E
Railroad St.
Nuisance properties were discussed. The appropriate letters are being sent out and the city’s attorney will be issuing municipal infractions where appropriate.
Mayor Volz asked the council if they would like any public measures to be placed on the ballot for the November election. No public measures were mentioned.
R. Miller would like to see the fire hydrant on the southeast side of town that is hard to open, and leaks be fixed as soon as possible. K Frese mentioned the need to keep track of how long vehicles are being left parked on public streets as the current ordinance amendment states 72 hours is the maximum.
Motion to adjourn at 6:30pm made by K. Kuester and seconded by Christopher VanHorn. Motion carried 5-0.

Bruce Volz, Mayor
Kennedy Judkins, City Clerk
UNITED HEALTH CARE HEALTH INS -3,683.00
Payroll 7/17 -3,201.84
US CELLULAR Cell Phones -313.01
ALLIANT ENERGY Installation of Street Light at 409 Park DR. -238.65
CARD SERVICES
Supplies-IT Support-Security Camera-Lib supp.-Public Works
Supplies -1,240.20
ION ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS TESTING -424.00
PRODUCTIVITY PLUS AC and Repair for Tractor -6.31
WELLMARK BC & BS Dental -236.51
BAKER & TAYLOR Lib. Books -706.27
Payroll 7/31 -3,655.56
ClerkBooks, Inc. Monthly Payment -193.22
USPS Statements -123.42
AFLAC Supplemental -397.00
DELTA DENTAL DENTAL -18.48
IPERS IPERS -1,952.45
United States Treasury Tax PMNT -2,680.86
ALLIANT ENERGY Electric -4,775.16
BAKER & TAYLOR Lib. Books -206.63
BALLARD TRUCKING Rock for road maint, Union & Johnson -1,482.32
BC SOLID WASTE COMMISSION Tipping Fees & Per Capita 1st Qrtr -3,349.16
BENTON COUNTY FIREMAN’S
ASSOC. Association Dues -50.00
Cheryl Frame 7/8/23 Pavilion Deposit Reimbursement -50.00
ClerkBooks, Inc. 5 hours support pkg. -450.00
DEMCO Paperfold Jckt. -54.14
DEPOT EXPRESS June & July Fuel -1,673.32
Ferguson Waterworks AMR 1-500 Software -370.02
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES Annual NPDES wastewater permit -210.00
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibit -230.00
IOWA ONE CALL Locates -33.30
JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE Garbage/Refuse July -3,960.00
MATHESON TRI-GAS INC FD Oxygen -72.55
MEARDON, SUEPPEL & DOWNER Legal -6,200.00
MENARDS CR SOUTH Concrete Mix, Red Grease, Red Mulch -131.09
PRAIRIE RD. BUILDERS 2023 Seal Coat projects -19,100.20
SCHIMBERG CO Manhole adjusting rings & storm sewer grate -101.10
SNYDER & ASSOCIATES, INC Frontier Effluent Levels, WPBS Prelim. Report -3,721.33
SOUTH SLOPE COOP Phone & Internet -309.41
Titan Machinery Oil Accumulator and Oil for Tractor -230.00
TODD DAMON OPERATOR SERVICES-JULY -200.00
VINTON NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHING -261.49
Loras-Schulte Website Maint.-July 2023 -100.00
POWESHIEK WATER ASSOC. WATER PURCHASE – 6/19/23-7/20/23 -5,100.00
Susan Hahn lightbulbs-Library -41.90
-71,533.90