As has been the case on social media, among coffee drinkers, and on the street, removal of snow on the streets of Sully was the main topic of business at the regular meeting of the Sully City Council at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, at Sully Community Center. Councilmembers present were Jeff Brummel, Brad Rozendaal, Wes Van Wyk, Teryl Ver Ploeg, Gordon Yarrington, mayor Brent Vander Molen, and city clerk Barbra Maasdam. Guests present were Kathy Zylstra, Jeff Davis, Craig Maasdam, Steve Lewis, and Margaret Vander Weerdt.
Review of snow removal policy was led by Brummel of the street committee.
“This is not an attack on me or the public works director, I could have called Shaun [Needham] or done it myself but I didn’t,” Brummel said. “We can make some changes positively. … There is room to improve. I think we need to amend a couple things in here [snow ordinance] and do this in a nice manner.”
Lewis asked, “What is budgeted for snow removal?”
Brummel said it has nothing to do with budgeting, removal is for two inches or more. “The issue this time was two inches one day was followed by two more inches another day,” he said.
Rozendaal said, “It’s tricky when after two snows should ordinance be changed to accommodate that situation.”
Lewis also mentioned the much better condition of streets in Lynnville and asked what Sully could do to prep streets when snow is forecasted. Part of the issue this snow was Needham was off work for vacation.
Ver Ploeg said, “There must be some common sense here, ‘if we don’t plow doesn’t mean something isn’t put on intersections which become a risk area’ … We expect homeowners to clear sidewalks in 24 hours and no mention of two inches or whatever.”
Yarrington mentioned workers from Sully Construction and EWI who have experience could be available this time of year and contract with them what city is willing to pay part-time employee, which the city has been unable to hire. Brummel said, “We need to find help for Shaun.”
Maasdam volunteered his ability to run the maintainer he is comfortable operating.
Brummel said, “More often than not, if we stay on it and amend rules to snow removal on truck routes and square, all will be good. … We got caught at -10 degrees.”
City liability for volunteers and fill-in snow removal personnel was also discussed.
Maasdam suggested the square should always be scooped, and he also does the parking area in front of businesses for safer getting in and out of vehicles.
The question was asked if businesses should be notified of the “unwritten rule of time to have sidewalks scooped” so snow isn’t put on street after snow has been removed.
Brummel asked to have published, “It would be helpful for city maintenance if snow is removed by 5 a.m. into the streets and then can be removed when snow is removed from streets by the city.”
When needed, people will be available and a list of these for Needham was proposed. No formal action was taken. It was also noted, city is not responsible to clear out alleys for those who use them as driveways, unless eventually maintenance time becomes available. Main problem is vehicles and tree branches hindering this process anyway.
A review of the Sully Snow Ordinance found some unclear and contradictory statements in the current policy in place since 2012, however, no changes were made.
“Every single snow will be different,” Vander Molen concluded. “We will try to do better.”
Other business was the consent agenda approved Dec. 11 meeting minutes, payment of claims list, treasurer’s report, equipment fund summary, and RLF summary.
No one spoke during citizen forum.
Resolution authorizing and approving employment agreement with Caldwell, Brierly, Chalupa & Nuzum as the city attorney firm was approved with first increase in three years of $5 per hour at $180 per hour for out-of-court service, $200 per hour for in-court service, and $160 per hour for legal assistant services.
Resolution appointing Barbra Maasdam as city clerk was approved.
Resolution approving signatures for checks, drafts, or notes or orders on city accounts was approved as two of the following four: Barbra Maasdam-city clerk, Brent Vander Molen-mayor, Jeff Brummel-mayor pro tem, and Brad Rozendaal-alternate mayor pro tem.
Request from Jeff Davis to consider mortgage release for Northridge Lot 2 where he has completed a home, and he has it sold to a couple from out of state. Buyers are unwilling to take on $25,000 lot mortgage in place so they stay five years. Davis said he is willing to take that “gamble on the couple” through his business, Jeffrey Paul Homes, LLC, and Sully Development will pay Paul $5,000 each Mar. 21 for five years starting in 2018. If the property is sold prior to Mar. 21, 2022, the balance of the $25,000 trust will be released to Sully Development.
Discussion of items on Action Sheet included federal requirement that all street signs must be larger and reflective a year from now. Signs are ready to be installed when maintenance time and weather allow.
Mayor mentioned people complain sheriff’s deputies are never in Sully, and he shared deputy report which the city clerk receives each month. They were here 2,342 minutes in the month of December.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
For information, 2018 Sully council committees (the councilmembers to talk to about a city topic) are listed.
Administration and personnel:
Jeff Brummel
Teryl Ver Ploeg
Buildings, grounds, parks, and recreation:
Brad Rozendaal
Wes Van Wyk
Streets, alleys, and sidewalks:
Jeff Brummel and Teryl Ver Ploeg
Utilities
Wes Van Wyk
Gordon Yarrington
Council representatives on three boards are: Fire board-Jeff Brummel, high school facilities board-Brad Rozendaal, and Diamond Trail Fitness Center-Gordon Yarrington.
