CITY OF LUZERNE REGULAR MEETING- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 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 Jeani Brandt, Joel Buttikofer, Kyla Buttikofer, Kelly Kendall, and Barbara Shields were present at the beginning of the meeting. Benton County Deputy Recker arrived at 7:30 PM and left at 7:37 PM

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

K.Buttikofer moved to approve the bills, seconded by Brandt.

J & R Sanitation	Sept. pick-up $350.00	fuel surcharge $9.80	$359.80
Poweshiek Water			$44.75
USA Communications	phone & internet		$1.00
Alliant Energy	meter $73.12	streetlights $306.07	$379.19
Jan Kendall	wages $166.66 minus	FICA, SS & IPERS	$143.43
Jan Kendall	43 copies @ $.10	sesqui bk postage $5.38	$9.68
Schulze Mowing	1X park mowing		$70.00
Benton Co. Auditor	deputy wages		$211.25
Postmaster	50 stamped envelopes		$44.00
Kris Wille	scan & post city ordinances	online	$100.00
John Brandt	wages $150.00 minus	FICA & SS	$138.52

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

The mayor opened discussion on the nuisance report. J. Buttikofer and Kendall reported that out of the nine original properties in violation, five are now in compliance, and the other four had made progress, but still have more work to do to abate their particular nuisances. Benton County Deputy Recker was present to discuss what the council’s next move should be. His advice was to have the sheriff’s office deliver letters to the offending property owners, giving them seven days to abate their remaining nuisances. Council discussion followed. Brandt moved to have a Benton County deputy deliver the nuisance letters to the offenders which gives them seven days from the delivery of the letters to abate their particular nuisances, seconded by J. Buttikofer. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried. The mayor will let the sheriff’s office know of the council’s decision.

There was nothing new to report concerning the railroad culvert.

The mayor opened discussion on possible funding for traffic monitors. Brandt reported

she has completed the Benton County Community Foundation grant application with the intention of using the potential award to finance either part or all of the cost of three traffic monitors, which would be placed at each of blacktopped entrances to the city. The foundation grants will be awarded sometime in December. The rest of the council thanked Brandt for her efforts in writing and submission of the grant.

The mayor opened discussion on city furnaces. The clerk reported she was contacted by Fire Chief Andrew Davis concerning all of the city furnaces, especially the one in the bay area of the fire station/city hall building. Davis related that the fire station furnace is not working and asked the council to pay for the part that is needed to fix it. The mayor reported the furnace in the city hall portion of the building is working fine. Brandt moved to have the fire chief fix the furnace in the bay area of the fire station at the city’s expense, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried. The clerk will let the fire chief know of the council’s decision. Kendall will check on the furnace in the city maintenance building and report back to the council.

Under further business, J. Buttikofer discussed the possibility of erecting snow fence near different areas of the city to help deter drifting. The mayor reported the 1976 fire truck has been sold, and the fire department has purchased a 1996 Freightliner truck to replace it. The mayor asked the fire chief to have the department decide on a replacement cost for insurance coverage purposes.

With no further business on the agenda, Brandt moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM, seconded by Shields. Roll call vote – Brandt aye, J. Buttikofer aye, K. Buttikofer aye, Kendall aye, Shields aye, the motion carried.

Mayor Clerk