CITY OF LUZERNE
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS – TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2024
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 Jeannie Brandt, Joel Buttikofer, Kyla Buttikofer, Kelly Kendall and Barbara Shields were present as were interested citizen Gerald Muench and property owner Abe Holmes.

Brandt moved to approve the previous meeting’s minutes as read, seconded by K. Buttikofer. Roll call vote- Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

Kendall moved to allow the following bills, seconded by Shields.

J & R Sanitation	June pick-up $350.00	fuel surcharge $12.25	$362.25
Poweshiek Water			$44.75
USA Communications	phone & internet		-$0.43
Alliant Energy	meter $65.05	streetlights $297.94	$362.99
Jan Kendall	wages $166.66minus	FICA, SS & IPERS	$143.43
Jan Kendall	40 copies at.$.10	garbage bags $8.51	$12.51
Schulze Mowing	3X park mowing		$210.00
John Brandt	wages $150.00	minus FICA & SS	$138.52
L.L. Pelling	street repairs		$7,995.40
Postmaster	50 stamped envelopes	50 X $.88	$44.00
John Brandt	BB net, window screen,	ground clear	$65.00

Roll call vote- Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on the progress of vacating the portion of Pearl Street which intersects with Exchange Street. Abe Holmes and Gerald Muench were both present to discuss this. Holmes reported that his attorney had almost all of the paperwork completed in order to vacate the portion of Pearl Street at the intersection with Exchange Street. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to set the public hearing date for vacating the portion of Pearl Street for August 1^st, 2024, (our regular meeting) seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote- Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on nuisances. There were no nuisances to report. The mayor reported that the city attorney has not yet performed the nuisance inspection.

There is nothing new to report on the railroad culvert which is in disrepair.

The mayor opened discussion on the Music in the Park event. The event will be promoted through Facebook and printed flyers. The council, mayor and clerk divided up the duties of food, drink, condiments and paper product purchases. The date for the event is Sunday, August 4, 2024,from 4-6 PM, in the Luzerne Park. The performing band is Straightback Chair.

Under further business, the mayor reported the missing 25 MPH sign on Maple Street has been replaced. The council discussed purchasing up to three traffic speed monitors to be placed at the city limits. The cost is about $2,500 per monitor. The mayor and council discussed submitting a grant to the Benton County Community Foundation to pay for part or all of the monitors. The mayor will gather more information on the matter and report back to the council. The mayor reported there previously was a broken window and two broken screens in the community center. He related the window has been taken out to be fixed, and he repaired the screens. The council thanked him for his efforts. The mayor reported that one of the city’s CDs is due to be renewed. The mayor related that, with the council’s permission, he will check CD interest rates at local banks and report back to them.

With no further business on the agenda, J. Buttikofer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote- Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.