Home News KLEM News AM Update April 20, 2010

KLEM News AM Update April 20, 2010

(Le Mars)–The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will meet this morning at 9:30 am in the lower level of the courthouse.

On the agenda provided by auditor Stacey Feldman is the appointment of Perry Pinkerton as township trustee for Perry township. Pinkerton will replace Charles Pridie.

Attorney Gene Collins is seeking an extension to file the plat for Whiskey Creek Farms minor subdivision in Lincoln Township. Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe will update the supervisors on Secondary Road projects at 10:05 am. (News report by Dave Ruden)

Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Agenda:Tuesday, April 20, 2010

9:30 AMJim Henrich, Plymouth County Board Chairman
Call meeting to order
Approve this agenda (Action)
Approval of prior Board meeting minutes (Action)
Approval of claims and payroll (Signatures)
Committee Reports (Discussion)
Old Business
New Business
A. Open and review mail/correspondence (Discussion)
B. Appoint Perry Pinkerton Perry Township Trustee replace Charles Pridie (Action)
C. Open public forum (Informational)

10:00 AMGene Collins, Attorney – Seeking an extension to file the plat for Whiskey Creek Farms minor subdivision in  section 5 of Lincoln Township (Action)

10:05 AM Tom Rohe, Plymouth County Engineer
(Action Items)
Permit-REC-Sec 3/10 Fredonia Twp along Polk Ave and 110th St.
Permit-Southern Sioux Rural Water-Sec 30 Plymouth Twp/Sec 25 Liberty Twp along K-30.
Permit-Tile Crossing-Sec 19/20 Elkhorn Twp

(Discussion Items)
Questions/Discussion of the Secondary Road Department

(Informational Items)
Update on construction projects

(LE MARS)–Traffic congestion, a department head vacancy and borrowed money savings are slated for Le Mars City Council consideration today.

The agenda for the noon meeting open to the public at city hall includes time for public comments on refinancing money borrowed through 2002 and 2003 general obligation bonds. According to the information given to the council, refinancing will save the city about 91-thousand dollars and pre-paying 2011 and 2012 maturities of the 2003 notes will save about 45-thousand 400 dollars in interest.

The council has been asked to name the street between Floyd Valley Apartments and Gehlen Catholic school property O’Brien-Yoerger Drive. The name is a consent item for the council’s agenda.

Thirty-one people from 15 states applied for the fire chief vacancy that will occur when Wayne Schipper retires. A committee is recommending Dave Schipper of Spencer be hired.

Lincoln Street traffic congestion and amending an agreement for Law Enforcement Center payments that reduces expenses will also be considered by the council.

LE MARS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
AGENDA

A. CALL TO ORDER – MAYOR
ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK
COUNCILMEMBERS: NELSON_____, KNAPP_____ REXWINKEL_____,
LEONARD_____, IHRKE_____
B. HEARING
1. General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement and Authorizing Early Redemption of 2003 GO Notes

C. GENERAL DISCUSSION
1Citizens
2. “Thumbs Up” Award

D.CONSENT ITEMS
All items listed under “Consent” Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on those items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council votes on the motion.
Approval of April 6, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes
List of Bills for Period Ending 4/16/10
Monthly Financial Report for March 2010
Appointment
Renewal of Liquor License/Outdoor Service (Dinger’s)
Handicap Parking Spaces
Hazard Mitigation Resolution
SRF Interest Rate Reduction
Interfund Transfer Resolution
Street Name Resolution

E. ACTION ITEMS
1. Fire Chief Appointment
2. Amended Local Option Tax 28E Agreement
3. Lincoln Street Parking (Central to Plymouth)

F.DISCUSSION
1.Council/Mayor
2.City Administrator/Public Works Director
3.Assistant City Administrator

ADJOURNMENT

Next Resolution No. 10-6
Next Ordinance No. 886
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Hearing
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement and Authorizing Early Redemption of 2003 GO Notes – 12:00 P.M.
Item No.
B-1

Information:

At its April 6, 2010 meeting, the Council established this as the date and time to hear public comment on the proposal to take action on not to exceed $2,150,000 General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement. Required notice has been published and resolution is attached. The Resolution also authorizes the early redemption of the 2003 GO Notes.

Staff Recommendation:

The Mayor opens the hearing and asks if there are any written or oral objections or comments to the proposal. After hearing all comments, the Mayor announces the time for receiving objections is closed.

Staff and Finance Committee recommend approval.

Financial Impact:

Refinancing the 2002 and 2003 General Obligation Bonds will save the City approximately $91,000 and pre-paying the 2011 and 2012 maturities of the 2003 Notes will save approximately $45,400 interest.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ taking additional action to enter into Loan Agreement and authorizing Cal of Notes for early redemption
.
(Roll Call)

Motion approving Letter of Intent with Ruan Securities Corporation relating to General Obligation Refunding Bonds.

(No Roll Call)
Le Mars City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
Minutes

Mayor Kirchoff presided. Present: Ihrke, Nelson, Leonard, Knapp, Rexwinkel. Absent: None.

Nelson moved, Leonard seconded that the following items be approved under the “Consent Agenda.” On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Regular meeting minutes of March 16, 2010 and special meeting minutes of March 19, 2010.
List of bills for period ending 03/31/10.
Reappoint Richard Porter to the Civil Service Commission for a four year term.
Renewal of Class C Liquor License for Red Hanke Saloon.
Street by Plymouth County Historical Museum be closed as requested.
Acknowledging the Consumer Confidence Report for the Le Mars Water Department.
Contract for a Heavy Equipment Project (Earth Work Project with Northwest Iowa Community College) for the estimated cost of $155,000.
Six year lease with Titan Equipment for a new loader and a six year lease with Murphy Tractor and Equipment for a new grader.

Nelson moved, Ihrke seconded the STP Capital Project, Iowa 3 East Widening Project be accepted as fully completed by Sioux City Engineering Co., Sioux City, IA. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.

Leonard moved, Rexwinkel seconded Resolution No. 10-5 establishing April 20, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. for a public hearing on a Loan Agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $2,150.000 be adopted. On Roll Call: Ayes: Ihrke, Nelson, Knapp, Leonard, Rexwinkel. Nays: None.

NOTE: Council discussed parking, congestion and safety concerns on Lincoln Street SE (between Central Avenue and Plymouth Street), Temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted on the east side on a trial basis.

NOTE: Council discussed the need to stop sump pumps from discharging to the sanitary sewer system, and directed staff to begin an awareness and enforcement program.

Ihrke moved, Rexwinkel seconded to enter Closed Session under Iowa Code Section 21.5j where the disclosure of the discussion to purchase real estate would be to the disadvantage of the City. On Roll Call: Ayes: Leonard, Nelson, Knapp, Ihrke, Rexwinkel. Nays: None.

Ihrke moved, Rexwinkel seconded to move out of Closed Session. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.

Ihrke moved, Nelson seconded the meeting be adjourned at 2:55 P.M.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________
Beverly Langel, City ClerkDick Kirchoff, Mayor

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
List of Bills for Period Ending 4/16/10
Item No.
D-2

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Approval of bills for the period
ending 4/16/10.

(No Roll Call)

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Monthly Financial Statement for March, 2010
Item No.
D-3

Attached is the monthly Financial Statement for March, 2010.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion approving the monthly Financial Statement for March, 2010.

(No Roll Call)

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Appointment
Item No.
D-4

The Council needs to make the following appointment:

Joint Urban Renewal Advisory Board:

Reappoint Mayor Dick Kirchoff for three year term.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion approving appointment as listed.

(No Roll Call)

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Renewal of Liquor License/Outdoor Service
(Dinger’s)
Item No.

D-5

Application has been received from Dinger’s for renewal of their Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service. Papers are in order. Approved by Police Chief.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion (approving) (denying) renewal of
Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service for Dinger’s.

(No Roll Call)

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Handicap Parking Spaces
Item No.
D-6

Information:

WTA Architects, LLC, on behalf of Le Mars Area Dialysis Services, is requesting three new handicap parking stalls in the 0 block of 1st Street SW directly adjacent to the future front entrance of their building located at 37 Central Avenue SW. The front entrance will be on 1st Street SW.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff is recommending adding three (3) additional handicap parking stalls as requested.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ designating additional handicap parking spaces on 1st St. S.W..

(Roll Call)

CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Hazard Mitigation Resolution
Item No.
D-7

Information:
Attached is a resolution Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management is requiring to close out the Hazard Mitigation Grant. 

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ Designation of Authorized Representative.

(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
SRF Interest Rate Reduction
Item No.
D-8

Information:
Attached is a resolution authorizing Interest Rate reduction for the City’s $2,500,000 Water Revenue Bond, Series 2000, dated May 12, 2000 issued through the SRF Program. The Iowa Finance Authority has reduced the interest rate on the Bond to 3.0% from 3.53% as of June 1, 2010.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval.

Financial Impact:

This interest reduction will save the City $21,470 over the remaining life of the issue. This action does not change the principal or term of the issue.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ Providing for Reduction of Interest Rate for the 2000 Water Revenue Bond.

(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Interfund Transfer Resolution
Item No.
D-9

Information:

A resolution is needed making certain interfund transfers from one fund to another for the 2009-2010 budget year. A review of each transfer is attached.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends Council approval.

Financial Impact:

These transfers will account for the expenditures properly and within the appropriate fund

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. _______ making certain interfund transfers for the
2009-2010 fiscal year.

(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Street Name Resolution
Item No.
D-10

Information:
In September 2009 the City received the Warranty Deed from Gehlen Catholic Schools for the drive between the Floyd Valley Apartments and Gehlen School property for a public roadway as approved by Council in July 2009. Gehlen is requesting the street be named O’Brien-Yoerger Drive.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ naming O’Brien-Yoerger Drive.

(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Fire Chief Appointment
Item No.
E-1

Information:

The Fire Chief Interview Committee is prepared to make a final recommendation to hire and fill the Fire Chief position. The Committee received 31 applications from 15 states. Five finalists came to Le Mars for a full day of interviews and tours. All five were extremely qualified professionals in their field.

Recommendation:

The Fire Chief Interview Committee is formally recommending David Schipper as our next Fire Chief and is hereby requesting Council to act on this recommendation.

Detailed recommendations concerning salary, benefits, and timing will be available at the meeting prior to any vote being taken.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion (accepting) (denying) the Committee recommendation to hire David Schipper as Fire Chief for the City of Le Mars as stipulated (or amended) effective July 1, 2010.

(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Amended Local Option Tax 28E Agreement
Item No.
E-2

Information:
Attached is a letter from the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, a resolution and an amended Local Option Tax Agreement regarding the financing of the Plymouth County Law Enforcement Center. The Supervisors are issuing General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of refunding the Local Option Sales Tax Revenue Bonds that were originally used to finance the project. The lower interest rate will save approximately $35,000 interest over the next six years.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval.

Financial Impact:

This interest reduction will save the City approximately $9,500 over the remaining life of the issue. This action does not change the principal or term of the issue.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ Approving and Authorizing an Amended and Restated Local Option Tax Agreement.

(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA

ActionREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
April 20, 2010

Description:
Lincoln Street Parking (Central to Plymouth)
Item No.
E-3

Information:

This item is being brought back to Council due to the need for a complete parking solution on Lincoln Street. As previously discussed at the April 6th meeting, the congestion on Lincoln Street SE has become a concern because of the parking on both sides and the numerous streets and alleys that enter onto it.

PROBLEM: Parking on both sides of Lincoln Street, which creates traffic congestion; poor visibility; turning difficulty for semis; parking too close to radii of intersections and alleys; safety concerns.

IDEAS TO FIX:No Parking on east side, only
No Parking on west side, only
No Parking on either side
Widen the Street
Improve parking beyond curb
Request parking easement from Railroad behind commercial bldgs
Close certain alleys
Close certain streets

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommendation will be available at the meeting.

COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED

As desired.

(URBANDALE)–Republican candidate for governor Terry Branstad will campaign in northwest Iowa Tuesday.

This “Iowa Vision 2020” tour begins at 10 a.m. with a Lyon County stop at Sully’s Grill in Rock Rapids.

At noon, Branstad, a former governor campaigns with the “Iowa Vision 2020” tour in O’Brien County at the Sheldon City Hall.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats of rural Sioux City wants to end a requirement that all Iowa schools offer a core curriculum.

In a five-point education plan released Monday, Vander Plaats says as governor, he would end most state mandates, including one requiring schools to teach a basic core curriculum. He also would broaden a law allowing charter schools, increase student standards, require districts to make student achievement more assessable and include home school and private school parents on the state’s Board of Education.

Before becoming a business consultant, Vander Plaats worked as a public school teacher and principal.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 (DES MOINES)–A new Main Street Le Mars event is a statewide winner.

Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Iowa Economic Development Director Bret Mills presented 43 awards during the 23rd annual Main Street Awards Ceremony.

The Main Street Le Mars Chalk Art Festival with professional and amateur chalk creations competed in the Best Special Event-Festival competition.

The Chalk Art Festival received an honorable mention which was one of 11 in the state.

Main Street Le Mars Manager Mary Reynolds coordinated the event last fall. Reynolds says the next Chalk Art Festival in Le Mars is September 18th and September 19th.

Main Street Volunteer Becky Klohs of Le Mars is being honored as the Outstanding Volunteer for the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce.

Le Mars was named a Main Street community in October of 1995.

Spencer was recognized for reaching $20-million in private dollars invested in downtown rehab and property acquisition. Spencer was also honored for best energy saving practices with switching to L-E-D Bulbs.

(ORANGE CITY)–An Orange City man has been sentenced to prison for a drug conviction.

Sioux County Attorney Coleman McAllister released written information about the sentence for 42-year-old Michael Noteboom.

Noteboom was charged after authorities said he delivered crystal meth to a confidential informant at a Sioux Center parking lot in August of last year.

Noteboom’s rural Orange City home was searched based on the drug buy and he was charged with second offense delivery of meth.

Noteboom pleaded guilty and Monday was sentenced to serve up to 10 years in prison. He must serve at least one-third of the 10-year sentence before he is eligible for parole.

(LE MARS)–A Le Mars man is being held in the Plymouth County jail on a charge of felony sexual abuse.

Le Mars Police investigated a report of sexual abuse of a minor.

On Sunday, 41-year-old Raul Camarena-Salcedo of Le Mars was arrested on the felony charge of sexual abuse in the third degree. Camarena-Salcedo was taken to the Plymouth County Jail.

(LE MARS)–Plymouth County jurors do not need to report for jury duty on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Jurors are asked to call the clerk of court’s office on Monday, April 26, 2010 after 3 p.m. to find out whether to report on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.

SIOUX CITY—U-S CONGRESSMAN STEVE KING OF KIRON HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING MONDAY IN SIOUX CITY AT WESTERN IOWA TECH.
KING ADDRESSED CAP AND TRADE, HEALTH CARE REFORM, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN BEFORE TAKING QUESTIONS FROM SIOUXLANDERS.
KING SAYS HE WANTED TO HOLD THE TOWN HALL MEETING BEFORE CAMPAIGN SEASON HITS.
KING EXPECTS A REPUBLICAN TO TAKE THE GOVERNOR’S SEAT THIS NOVEMBER IN IOWA.

Listen to King  
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KING WILL JOIN SIOUX CITY CHAMBER OFFICIALS AND RANDY RENSHAW FOR BREAKFAST TUESDAY MORNING IN WASHINGTON, D-C. (Josie Cooper – KSCJ Radio/Powell Broadcasting, Sioux City)

Listen to the newscast
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 Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm.net, by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.