(LE MARS)–The work of the Plymouth County Conservation Board is the focus of a report at the Board of Supervisors meeting today.
Conservation Board Director Dennis Sohl makes the presentation at ten this (Tuesday) morning. An annual report is a state requirement.
The board is scheduled to meet as a Drainage Board to discuss Drainage District #3 for Westfield and possible action at 10:30 this morning.
Agenda:
9:30 AMJim Henrich – Plymouth County Board Chairman
1.Call meeting to order
2.Approve this agenda (Action)
3.Approval of prior Board meeting minutes (Action)
4.Approval of claims and payroll (Signatures)
5. Committee Reports (Discussion)
6. Old Business
7. New Business
A. Open and review mail/correspondence (Discussion)
B. Open public forum (Informational)
10:00 AMDennis Sohl, Plymouth County Conservation Director – Review FY 09-10 Conservation annual report (Discussion)
10:15 AMTom Rohe, Plymouth County Engineer
None
(Discussion Items)
(Informational Items)
Update on construction projects
ADJOURN
10:30 AM Board of Supervisors – Drainage Board
1.Discuss Drainage District #3 Westfield (Possible Action)
CVB Manager may be a city employee
(LE MARS)–A recommendation to move the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau manager’s job to a city employee will be discussed at the City Council meeting today (Tuesday).
The agenda for the meeting indicates the Convention Visitors Bureau Board and city staff believe it is an appropriate time to move into the next stage and solidify the position as a city employee. The manager’s job has been in place under the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board for a year.
The city employee bargaining unit will be asked to exclude the position from its contract.
Other agenda items today include bids for the upgrade of the Le Mars Convention Center Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system.
The Park Committee is recommending sidewalks at five city park locations and enforceable rules at both Tennis Courts.
The public meeting is at noon today in the Council Chambers.
NOTE: AGENDA ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LE MARS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER – MAYOR
ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK
COUNCILMEMBERS: NELSON_____, KNAPP_____ REXWINKEL_____,
LEONARD______, IHRKE_______
B. GENERAL DISCUSSION
1Citizens
2. “Thumbs Up” Award
3. 15TH Street SE Student Safety
4. Crop Snow Fencing
C.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.
1.Approval of September 7, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes
2.List of Bills for Period Ending 9/17/10
3.Mr. P’s Pizza and Sport Grill Request for Outdoor Service Area
4.Monthly Financial Statement for August 2010
5.Annual Street Finance Report
6.Stop Sign Resolution – Adding Sign
7.Street Light Resolution
D. ACTION ITEMS
1.Le Mars Convention Center HVAC Upgrades
2.Park Committee Recommendations
3.CVB Manager
E.DISCUSSION
1.Council/Mayor
2.City Administrator/Public Works Director
3.Assistant City Administrator
F.ADJOURNMENT
Next Resolution No. 10-37
Next Ordinance No. 889
Le Mars City Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
Minutes
Mayor Kirchoff presided. Present: Ihrke, Knapp, Rexwinkel, Nelson, Leonard. Absent: None.
Nelson moved, Knapp seconded that the following items be approved under the “Consent Agenda.” On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
-Regular meeting minutes of August 17, 2010.
-List of bills for period ending 08/31/10.
-Renewal of Class C Liquor License to The Bar and Knights of Columbus and Class C Beer Permit to Cargo Express 2.
-Closure of 12th Street SE from 2nd Avenue SE to 4th Avenue SE for the Le Mars Sprint Triathlon on September 11, 2010.
-FAA Grant Agreement for $112,376, Project No. 3-19-0127-07-2010 for snow removal equipment.
Knapp moved, Nelson seconded the fuel contracts with GasRite, Inc. at 80% of normal monthly usage for a period of not more than one (1) year and at a strike price of $2.70 or less for unleaded gasoline and $2.90 or less for diesel through March 1, 2011 be approved. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Rexwinkel moved, Ihrke seconded the Engineering and Management Agreement with Synergy Energy Engineering LLC for the Convention Center HVAC System Upgrades be approved. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Nelson moved, Rexwinkel seconded Resolution No. 10-36 approving the VAAP Loan Application and Tax Credit Application to Iowa Department of Economic Development for the North American Co-Pack Iowa LLC Project be adopted. On Roll Call: Ayes: Ihrke, Leonard, Knapp, Nelson, Rexwinkel. Nays: None.
Leonard moved, Rexwinkel seconded the first reading of Ordinance No. 888 amending Chapter 156, “Fire Prevention Code” be approved. On Roll Call: Ayes: Nelson, Ihrke, Leonard, Rexwinkel. Nays: Knapp.
Leonard moved, Rexwinkel seconded the second and third readings of Ordinance No. 888 amending Chapter 156, “Fire Prevention Code” be waived. On Roll Call: Ayes: Nelson, Ihrke, Leonard, Rexwinkel. Nays: Knapp.
Leonard moved, Rexwinkel seconded that Ordinance No. 888 amending Chapter 156, “Fire Prevention Code” be adopted on its first reading. On Roll Call: Ayes: Nelson, Ihrke, Leonard, Rexwinkel. Nays: Knapp.
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: Nelson, Leonard, Knapp, Ihrke, Rexwinkel. Nays: None.
Ihrke moved, Nelson seconded to move out of Closed Session. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Ihrke moved, Knapp the meeting be adjourned at 2:20 P.M.
_________________________________________________
Beverly Langel, City ClerkDick Kirchoff, Mayor
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
List of Bills for Period Ending 9/17/10 Item No.
C-2
Attached is the list of bills for the period ending 9/17/10.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of bills for the period
ending 9/17/10.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Mr. P’s Pizza and Sport Grill Request for Outdoor Service AreaItem No.
C-3
Application has been received from Mr. P’s Pizza and Sports Grill for an Outdoor Service Area adjacent to their location for October 2 – 3, 2010. Approved by Police Department.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving) (denying) issuance of Outdoor Service Area to Mr. P’s Pizza and Sports Grill.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Monthly Financial Statement for August 2010
Item No.
C-4
Attached is the monthly Financial Statement for August 2010.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion acknowledging receipt of monthly Financial Statement for August 2010.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Annual Street Finance Report
Item No.
C-5
Information:
Attached is a Resolution approving the Annual Street Finance Report. This report is required to continue receiving Road Use Tax Funds and simply summarizes street expenditures and receipts for the fiscal year.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. _______ approving the Annual Street Finance Report.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Stop Sign Resolution – Adding Sign
Item No.
C-6
Information:
Staff placed this item on for consideration of a permanent stop sign at the intersection of Sadona Hills South and Key Avenue to require westbound traffic on Sadona Hills South to stop.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ authorizing stop sign at intersection of Sadona Hills South and Key Avenue.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Street Light Resolution
Item No.
C-7
Information:
Consideration of Street Light Resolution from Northwest Rural Electric Cooperative adding two (2) street lights within Sadona Hills Subdivision.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.
Financial Impact:
Monthly increase of $18.00.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ adding street lights.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Le Mars Convention Center HVAC Upgrades
Item No.
D-1
Information:
Mr. Karl Seggerman of Synergy Energy has prepared technical specifications for the
Le Mars Convention Center HVAC Upgrades and bids were received on September 15, 2010 and opened on September 16, 2010.
The Bids are attached.
One (1) Bid was received from Electrical Automation in the amount of $158,550 for HVAC Electrical and Controls.
One (1) Bid was received from Morningside Plumbing in the amount of $59,274 for Boiler and Plumbing.
The remaining schedule is attached.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council to award contract.
Financial Impact:
Le Mars is a recipient of the EECBG grant for a small part of this equipment (approx. $31,343).
Le Mars will receive a small rebate for part of this equipment (approx. $24,602).
Remainder would be paid for from Westmar University Urban Renewal TIF Revenue.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ awarding the contract for the 2010
Le Mars Convention Center HVAC Upgrades to __________________________________ in the amount of $_____________________.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
Park Committee Recommendations
Item No.
D-2
Information:
Park Committee has met and discussed the following:
1.Need for Sidewalks – City Park Properties
a.Outdoor Pool along 2nd Avenue SE
b.West Floyd Park along 9th Avenue SW
c.Schafer Park along 16th Street and Schafer Drive and 15th Street and 4th Avenue East
d.Veterans and Westmar Memorial Parks along 10th Street SE and 1st Avenue East
e.Tennis Courts along 11th Street SE
Attached are maps of each location showing specific route.
NOTE: Adler Park recently received sidewalks and Cleveland Park will soon receive an access walk to Shelterhouse.
2.Need enforceable rules at both Tennis Courts.
Staff Recommendation:
Park Committee recommends Council proceed with sidewalks and allocate adequate funding to do so with one-half within FY ’11 and one-half in FY ’12. Park Committee also recommends Council establish rules (as determined by Park Committee) for various parks and tennis courts enforceable by “By Order of City Council.”
Additional recommendations may be available from the Park Committee following the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 20, 2010.
Financial Impact:
Outdoor Pool$ 4,872
West Floyd Park$18,362
Schafer Park$22,562
Veterans/Memorial Parks$19,875
Tennis Courts $ 3,830
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving Park Committee recommendation for sidewalks and rules.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
September 21, 2010
Description:
CVB Manager
Item No.
D-3
Information:
The CVB Board and City Staff have conducted a review of the performance of the CVB Manager recently. All involved strongly feel the performance has been very good to excellent for the first year of operations. They also believe that it is an appropriate time to move into the next stage and solidify this position as a City employee.
Staff Recommendation:
Therefore, it is recommended for Council to authorize the CVB Manager position as a City employment position and allow administration to fill the position using normal
City protocol to advertise, solicit and fill the position. The position will be advertised and posted for ten (10) days. The Bargaining Unit will be requested to exclude the position from its contract.
Financial Impact:
It is the intent to fill the position at a salary that is similar to the current rates paid net of contractual expenses vs. employment expenses.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion authorizing Administration to fill the CVB manager position with City employment.
(No Roll Call)
Clover Kids program begins next month through the Extension Service
(LE MARS)–Younger students in Plymouth County can learn, have fun and get a taste of the 4-H community Club program through Clover Kids.
Extension Education Coordinator Carol Schneider explains Clover Kids is offered in Le Mars, Akron, Hinton, Kingsley, and Remsen beginning early next month.
Listen here
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Schneider says the after school program once each month also includes a day camp.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/sept2010/clover2092110.mp3{/audio}
With the support of the Plymouth County Extension Council, five people and Schneider are coordinating the learning and activity opportunity for first through third graders with registration through the County Extension Service.
Claypool has new role with bankers’ group
(DES MOINES)–A northwest Iowa banker is beginning a new role with the Iowa Bankers Association.
Roger Claypool of First National Bank of Le Mars, Sioux City and Sioux Center will begin his term as past chairman of the association’s board. The change is being made during the 124th annual convention underway in Des Moines through today (Tuesday).
Claypool chaired the Iowa Bankers Association for 2009-2010.
Officers are approved by the Iowa Bankers Association membership which includes more than 370 member banks in Iowa.
Drug arrests are ongoing
(LE MARS)–Three more people face drug charges in an ongoing investigation by Le Mars Police.
Twenty-year-old Beau Gries of Le Mars is charged with delivery of a controlled substance to a minor which is a felony. Gries was arrested at his residence and was booked into the Plymouth County Jail. Bond was set at 25-thousand dollars.
Four charges were filed against seventeen-year-old Brandon Yoerger of rural Le Mars. Yoerger’s charges include two for delivery of a controlled substance and two for failing to have drug tax stamp. After he was charged, Yoerger was released to a family member.
Eighteen-year-old Nathan Adams of Le Mars is charged with delivery of narcotics to a minor which is a felony charge. Adams is being held in the Plymouth County jail.
KSUX celebration is headlined by Alan Jackson; tickets available in Le Mars Saturday
(SIOUX CITY)–Country star Alan Jackson headlines the 20th Birthday Bash for KSUX September 30th at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux CIty.
KSUX is a Powell Broadcasting sister station to KLEM.
KSUX Program Director Tony Michaels says the station is delighted to have one of the premiere talents in the station’s country music format celebrate the station’s 20 years of serving the Siouxland community.
KSUX signed on in the fall of 1990. It was an early mission of station employees to turn the Sioux CIty airport designator SUX into a positive for the community. That led to the SUPERPIG. The radio station has been involved in major Sioux City events ever since.
Tickets for the Alan Jackson performance are available now through the Tyson Events Center. This Saturday, September 25, tickets will be on-sale at Hy-Vee in Le Mars from 9-10:30 a.m. A round trip trolley ride from Le Mars to the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City is also available for $10. The cost of a concert ticket and a trolley ride is $49 per person. Concert tickets are available Saturday for $39.
Summer library training at CherokeeJurors won’t report today
(LE MARS)–Plymouth County Jurors serving in September do not need to report for jury duty today, Tuesday, September 21. Jurors are asked to call the clerk of court’s office after 3 p.m. on Monday, September 27 to find out whether to report on Tuesday, September 28.Alan Jackson headlines KSUX celebration
Summer reading program training in Cherokee
(CHEROKEE)–Cherokee is one location where library staffers will plan for the 2011 Summer Reading program.
The summer library workshops this fall will reflect two themes, “One World, Many Stories” for the children’s program and “You are Here” for teens. Both the children’s and teen programs will be covered at the workshop.
Presenters plan to offer a fun, high-energy program with ideas for the summer reading programs and story hours.
Library staff who work with youth programming are invited attend the program at the Cherokee Conference Center November 4th from 10 a-m to 3 p-m. Registration information is available from the State Library of Iowa web site.
Four charged after Sutherland business burglary
(PRIMGHAR)–Four people are charged with a burglary at a Sutherland business.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s office and Sutherland police filed the charges after investigating a July 17 burglary. The window to the Cargo-Express Convenience Store in Sutherland was broken to get into the business.
A store employee saw people running from the business as the worker arrived at about 4:45 in the morning.
Those charged are 17-year-old Douglas Mackey of Cherokee; 17-year-old Matthew Sparks of Cherokee; 20-year-old Trevor Schwidder of Ankeny and 23-year-old Anthony Lucas of Cherokee.
During the investigation authorities determined a car was taken from a Sutherland residence following the burglary at the convenience store. The car was driven into the Little Sioux River at a campground near Larrabee.
Sparks and Mackey are each charged with burglary in the third degree and Mackey is charged with theft in the second degree for the vehicle theft. They were cited into juvenile court.
Schwidder was charged with burglary and theft and was arrested on warrants in Polk County on August 26th. He’s being held on Polk County charges and is expected to appear in O’Brien County at a later date. Lucas is charged with burglary in the third degree and is free on bond after he turned himself in September 5th.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office assisted with the investigation. Information about the investigation was released Monday.
Two charged with manufacturing meth
(SAC CITY)–An investigation by two northwest Iowa sheriff’s offices and a police department led to felony charges against two Sac County residents.
Sheriff Ken McClure released written information about two people accused of manufacturing methamphetamine.
The charges follow a search of the home of Shirley Schmitt of rural Early in February .
Fifty-year-old Jerry Wayne Loggins of Havelock and 37-year-old Erin Hammond of Odebolt are charged with aiding and abetting the manufacture of more than five-grams of meth.
Loggins and Hammond are accused of assisting Schmitt in making meth. Loggins and Hammond are being held in the Sac County Jail.
The Pocahontas Sheriff’s office and Storm Lake Police joined the investigation with the Sac County Sheriff’s office
Northwest Iowa law enforcement is part of tip texting
(DES MOINES)–Thanks to developing technology, law officers in more than a dozen Iowa cities and two counties can now receive anonymous tips about crimes — via text message. Clinton Police Captain Randy Meier says the service is being handled by a private company and those who send in text tips will -not- be identified.
“If you get a text message from somebody, you’ll know where it comes from,” Captain Meier says. “This technology prevents us from ever learning how that originates.” He says an officer can respond to the tipster and have a dialog while that person will remain anonymous. Meier stresses, it’s not for emergencies.
“It’s not a substitute for 911,” Meier says. “It’s not a substitute for calling the police to report a crime. It’s not monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” The website says about 600 law enforcement agencies are signed up for the program, including 15 in Iowa. They include Ashton, Melvin, Ocheyedan, Orange City, Sibley, Sioux City, Spencer and Sioux County. Tips can also be submitted online. (News report by Radio Iowa)
Iowa farm owner invited to testify in recall probe
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The owner of an Iowa egg farm at the heart of a massive recall is invited to testify this week before a congressional committee investigating what led to a salmonella outbreak that’s sickened up to 1,500 people.
A spokeswoman for Wright County Egg says Austin “Jack” DeCoster does plan to speak with the House Energy and Commerce committee Wednesday.
The 75-year-old DeCoster hasn’t made any public statements since the northern Iowa farm was implicated in the salmonella outbreak and recalled 380 million eggs.
Another Iowa business, Hillandale Farms, also recalled millions of eggs after being linked to the outbreak.
7-year-old boy dies in Council Bluffs fire
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) Police in Council Bluffs say a 7-year-old boy has died in a house fire.
Police said in a statement Monday that Alexander Buzzetta’s body was found in a second story bedroom in the early morning blaze. Police say an autopsy is planned for Tuesday morning. Authorities say the fire doesn’t appear to be suspicious.
Fire officials say the house was engulfed in flames and the grass was starting to burn when firefighters arrived. Most windows were knocked out. Fire officials say four adults and two children were in the home at the time of the blaze. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish the fire.
Buzzetta was a student at Lewis and Clark Elementary School.
Branstad: Iowa law enforcement chief should quit
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Director Penny Westfall should resign from her position.
Branstad is the Republican challenger to Democratic Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. The Quad-City Times reports that Branstad said Monday that Westfall should resign. Westfall has been facing criticism from police chiefs, sheriffs and deputies.
Officers and trainees are questioning Westfall’s leadership and management style, including allegations she’s used an uncertified Taser instructor. In the past several months, two basic-training classes at the academy have signed letters of complaint about Westfall.
Westfall says she’s looking into the complaints, making changes to the academy and is willing to work with anyone who has concerns.
Records: Iowa school didn’t investigate abuse
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) A state review has found that officials at a Council Bluffs high school didn’t immediately investigate allegations that a teacher abused a mentally disabled student.
The Des Moines Register reported Monday that state records show teacher aides at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs say administrators didn’t investigate the abuse allegations for three months. Special education teacher Donna Thomas has pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment and assault causing injury.
The newspaper reports court records show Thomas is accused of at least twice putting a 15-year-old autistic boy in a choke hold and holding his head against the floor.
Council Bluffs superintendent Martha Bruckner says the district did a “thorough” investigation.
UI spends $175,000 to find job candidates
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) State records show the University of Iowa spent more than $175,000 as it searched over the last year for candidates to fill four senior level positions.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reported Monday that those positions included an art museum director, a College of Law dean, a chief diversity officer and a vice president for strategic communications. State Sen. Bob Dvorsky of Coralville says while the total amounts seems high the university needed to find “high quality” candidates.
UI spokesman Tom Moore says the school tries to be “as cost efficient as possible.” The school soon will need to start looking for a new executive vice president and provost. Provost Wallace Loh is going to be University of Maryland’s president starting in November.
FBI records detail surveillance of Iowa groups
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The FBI says the techniques it used to investigate Iowa City protest groups before the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota were authorized and necessary.
New FBI documents show extensive surveillance of the groups. The Des Moines Register reports political activists were secretly photographed and FBI agents staked out their homes. FBI counterterrorism records also show agents went through activists’ garbage, cell phone and motor vehicle records.
The FBI says it only investigates when there are activities or threats to national security. The FBI says there were allegations certain individuals were possibly going to engage in criminal activity at the conventions.
The FBI documents were provided to the newspaper by former University of Iowa Antiwar Committee member David Goodner, who obtained them through a Freedom of Information Act request.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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.
