CITY OF NORWAY
July 22nd, 2024
Regular meeting of the Norway City Council was called to order by Mayor Loras Schulte at 5:30 PM. Roll Call – Present: Robby Miller, Christopher Van Horn, Michael Schulte, Darrell Schulte, & Shawn Rudie. Absent: None.
Motion C. Van Horn to accept agenda, claims, minutes, & treasurer’s report presented. Seconded by R. Miller. Motion carried 5-0.
Josh Beeh with VJ Engineering was present to provide the council with a building permit fee schedule.
Expectations and guidelines for the city’s new building inspections firm were discussed.
Motion D. Schulte to approve resolution 24-09 assessing delinquent nuisance abatement fees to individual property taxes. Seconded by C. Van Horn. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion M. Schulte to approve resolution 24-10 assessing delinquent curb stop repair fees to individual property taxes. Seconded by D. Schulte. Motion carried 5-0.
Jean Martensen was present to approach the council with concerns about rainwater washing out the alley located between the 100 block of Tuttle St & E. Washington St. Options to improve alley erosion were discussed. Following legal advice, the matter was tabled for future meetings.
The City of Norway received one bid from Rabe Hardware for $15,000.00 for a power generator to be installed at the Norway Fire Station. Motion R. Miller to approve the bid. Seconded by C. Van Horn. Motion carried 5-0. The city is waiting for confirmation from the ECICOG, who serve as the grant administrators, before moving forward with the project.
Nick Eisenbacher with Snyder & Associates, who serves as the city’s engineer, was present to discuss the planning & design loan application for the State Revolving Fund which will give the city a loan in the amount of $160,000.00. This loan is to cover costs associated with the planning and design of the water booster pump station. Other funding options were discussed. Nick Eisenbacher also presented a contract for Snyder & Associates to provide professional engineering services for the city for the booster pump station project. Motion S. Rudie to approve and sign the contract. Seconded by C. Van Horn. Motion carried 5-0.
Gary Boddicker representing the Norway Baseball Association was present to approach the council concerning a lease agreement between the City of Norway and the Norway Baseball Association. Verbiage of the agreement was discussed. The agreement states that “The City agrees to waive the water/sewer utility up to 1,750 gallons per month. Amounts exceeding 1,750 gallons per month will incur a charge to the Association.” Motion C. Van Horn to honor the agreement and monitor monthly water usage. Seconded by R. Miller. Motion carried 5-0.
The FY 24 Balance Sheet by Fund Report was presented to the council by Kennedy Judkins, City Clerk. The negative sewer fund balance and options to improve were discussed by the Council. The remaining balance within the emergency fund will be transferred to the general fund, (following a budget amendment), due to recent legislative changes removing the ability for cities to levy for an emergency fund.
Motion C. Van Horn to approve and waive fees for a building permit application submitted by the Norway American Legion for a concrete pad. Seconded by M. Schulte. Motion carried 4-0.
The buried sewer connection at 118 Euclid Ave. was again discussed. Legal action is pending.
Nuisance properties are being handled by the City’s attorney and engineer.
The number of vehicles allowed to be stored outside of a single-family residence was discussed. The first reading of the ordinance amendment will take place at the next council meeting.
The random income surveys sent out beginning November of 2023, were completed and returned to the ECICOG.
After ECICOG’s review, six more surveys are needed. Those will be given to the randomly selected residents for completion to secure eligibility for a block grant to cover a portion of the costs for the water pressure booster project.
Motion C. Van Horn to allow City of Norway’s picnic tables to be rented out to the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days Committee for $25.00 per table with the requirement that the committee pick up and return the tables and repair any damages should they occur. Seconded by D. Schulte. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion S. Rudie to adjourn at 7:31pm. Seconded by M. Schulte. Motion carried 5-0.
Loras Schulte, Mayor
Kennedy Judkins, City Clerk
Claims 7/9-7/22
Payroll-7/15-$3,062.60, US Cellular-Devices-$73.47, Arnold Jensen-Service Dep. Return-$40.00, Card Services- $628.81, ION-Testing-$420.00, Wellmark-Dental-$306.51, Baker & Taylor-Lib. Books-$21.29, ECICOGAdmin-$225.00, OverDrive Inc.-E-Book Library Software-$811.84, Kennedy Judkins-Postage Reimb. -$9.68, Susan Hahn-Library Supp. Reimb. -$162.42. =$5,761.62.