Bryan Vander Meiden and Andrew Kroymann of Midwest Sanitation in Pella were present at the Lynnville City Council meeting Feb. 9 to discuss the automated robotic arm truck now picking up totes in Lynnville. To make this work, residents need training, whereby the tote needs to be facing the correct direction and accessible to the truck. A handout of proper procedure was distributed, and the city was asked how they would be willing to distribute the needed procedures. It was agreed that Midwest will provide 165 handouts to be inserted in the next utility bill mailing in March with proper procedure to be in place by April. Tote wheels need to be away from the street within 18 inches of the curb/road and four feet from any permanent objects such as mailboxes, utility poles, parked vehicles, trees, and other objects. Also recommended was setting a clean-up date tentatively as Apr. 25.
Mark Van Wyk presented a plan for remodeling the fire station to make a more training-friendly area. He gave a Key Cooperative quote of $8,500. The fire department has the funds due to appreciated generosity at its fundraisers, but needs the city’s approval to proceed. Two walls would need to be removed and just generally rearrange cabinets, walls, doors, etc. to better utilize the current space. Councilman Roy James moved to support the remodeling plan, seconded by Roger Beason, and motion was carried.
Mel and Marcile Ratcliff had asked for a dead-end sign by the day care and city hall area to stop all the traffic heading down to the museum in error and having to turn around. A sign should help stop the inconvenience of turning around and also save street wear and tear. Placement of a sign was decided for near the day care building along with red flags on the I-80 arrow sign to help drivers not miss it.
Present at the meeting were council members Roger Beason, Terry Fraker, Roy James, Rahn Savage, and Bev Van Maanen, along with city maintenance director Josh DeWitt, city clerk Kim Harsselaar, and guests Margaret Vander Weerdt, Glenn Lewis, Vander Meiden, Kroymann, and Van Wyk.
Mayor Pro Tem Van Maanen called the meeting to order in the absence of Kelly Bryan, mayor, and led “The Pledge of Allegiance.” Minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected and city and payroll claims were approved.
No old business was discussed.
No one spoke during the public forum.
The third and final readings of Ordinance 2014-01 dog licensing, 2014-02 dangerous and vicious animals, and 2014-03 municipal infractions mean the ordinances will be in effect after they are published in the newspaper.
The preliminary FY2016 budget was reviewed and the public hearing to adopt it was set for the regular Mar. 9 meeting.
Harsselaar’s request for Quickbooks checkwriting software at $306 a year, along with checks and double-window envelopes, was approved.
James said he would represent the Chamber at the Business Appreciation Night at the Tuesday night basketball game and Fraker agreed to represent the city.
In the maintenance report, DeWitt noted he will be out of town a couple days next week for training in Cedar Rapids. He listed five people in violation of sump pump issues and is working on the matter. He asked for some updated tools instead of using his personal tools and was asked to submit an estimate of needs along with replacing his personal tools for city use.
James commended DeWitt for the job he did cleaning the streets during the Feb. 1 snowstorm. “He did an excellent job with a blade and a pickup,” Beason also said. Savage asked all council members to drive around all the alleys and streets and look around and report on what they see at the next meeting. James reported on L-S Community Service Day and what city tasks there are to do. Lynnville Women’s Club is donating money for park and concession stand upkeep. Fraker asked about the DNR targeting the dams in Iowa and what it might mean for the Lynnville museum. The city needs to be aware of what may or may not happen. Savage mentioned the city needs to be aware it will need a mayor candidate this fall.
Meeting adjourned shortly before 7 p.m.
Garbage tote placement for automated robotic arm garbage pickup: