CITY OF LUZERNE
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS – THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 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 Joel Buttikofer, Kyla Buttikofer, Kelly Kendall, and Barbara Shields were present, as was interested citizen Gerald Muench. Council member Jeani Brandt was absent.

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

Kendall moved to accept bills as presented, seconded by Shields.

J & R Sanitation	July pick-up $350.00	fuel surcharge$ 17.50	$367.50
Poweshiek Water			$38.00
USA Communications	phone & internet		$0.57
Alliant Energy	meter $66.21	streetlights $301.97	$368.18
Jan Kendall	wages $166.67 minus	FICA, SS & IPERS	$143.44
Jan Kendall	65 copies at $.10	6 column ledger $5.96	$12.46
Schulze Mowing	4X park mowing		$280.00
Straightback Chair	Music in the Park band		$600.00

Roll call vote – 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 at the intersection with Exchange Street. Gerald Muench was present to discuss the most recent development in the situation. The mayor reported that Abe Holmes, the current owner of 216 Exchange Street, has decided it was in the best interest of all property owners and the city to abandon the idea of vacating the portion of the intersection of Pearl and Exchange Streets.

The mayor opened discussion on the nuisance report. The clerk informed that the city recently received the solicited report from the city attorney, describing the particular nuisance for each of the properties which were cited per an anonymous map made by the city clerk. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to have the city clerk send out the nuisance letters to the offending property owners and residents, giving them 30 days to abate their particular nuisances, seconded by J. Buttikofer. Roll call vote – J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye. The motion carried. The item will be put on the next agenda.

The mayor opened discussion on the dilapidated railroad culvert. The mayor reported he emailed pictures of the culvert to a railroad field manager. The manager told he mayor he will be in contact with him soon concerning the situation. The item will be on the next agenda.

The mayor and council finalized the plans for the Music in the Park event to be held on Sunday, August 4^th, 2024, 4:00-6:00 PM at the Luzerne City Park. The bluegrass band, Straightback Chair, will be performing. The proceeds will go to the Luzerne Park Fund to help purchase new equipment.

The mayor opened discussion on creating an LP contract for the upcoming heating season. Council discussion followed. J. Buttikofer moved to make an LP contract with Heartland CO-OP, seconded by Kendall. Roll call vote – J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye. The motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on approving the annual firefighter’s report. Council discussion followed. Kendall moved to approve the report, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye. The motion carried.

The mayor opened discussion on possible funding for three traffic monitors. The mayor reported the Benton County Community Foundation’s grant application acceptance is from September 1st to October 15^th of each year. The item will be put on the next agenda.

Under further business, the mayor reported the city pick-up will need new tires in the near future. The mayor reported he trimmed the foliage that had grown on the chain link fence on the bridge. The mayor also related he planned to use one bag of the leftover park rubber mulch to fill in under the playground equipment. He reported the replacement window on the north side of the Community Center is not ready to be picked up yet. The mayor reported he plans to talk to the Benton County Engineer in person concerning the drainage problem on Maple Street and the railroad bridge sidewalk of which a portion has buckled and has become a trip hazard.

With no further business on the agenda, J. Butikofer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM, seconded by K. Buttikofer. Roll call vote – J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye. The motion carried.

Mayor Clerk