NOVEMBER 14, 2018
The Royal City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at the Royal Community Building. Mayor Ihry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following city council members present: Jeff Van Westen, Laef Lundbeck, Arlene Wimmer, Jim Ransom. Absent: Josh Toft. The pledge of allegiance was recited.
J. Van Westen made a motion to approve the October minutes. L. Lundbeck seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion approved. L. Lundbeck made a motion to approve the financial report and November bills. J. Ransom seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion approved.
There were no public comments or building permits at this time.
An extension for a removal of a tree which is hazardous to an alley was granted. The property owners were granted a six month extension, which makes removal due by May 23, 2019.
Mayor Ihry appointed Arlene Wimmer as the City’s representative to the NW IA Area Solid Waste Agency. Jim Ransom was selected as the alternate.
The Clay County Maintenance agreement for 2019 was looked over by the council. J. Ransom made a motion to approve this agreement. J. Van Westen seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion approved.
Donation requests were reviewed by the council. A. Wimmer made a motion to give Upper Des Moines Opportunity $400 for the 2019-20 fiscal year. J. Ransom seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion approved.
Resolution 18-08 was read which is a budgetary transfer from the general fund to the capitol improvement fund for $45,789. A. Wimmer made a motion to approve this resolution. J. Van Westen seconded. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Nays: None. Absent: J. Toft. Resolution approved.
Barb passed around recent audit results to the council. There will be corrections done for some items, others are not possible to correct with only one office employee.
Health insurance was discussed. A. Wimmer made a motion to switch the city’s insurance agent to the Iowa Municipal Benefits Plan. L.
Lundbeck seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on wages. J. Ransom made a motion to raise Arlene Wimmer’s wage from $7.50 an hour to $9.00. J. Van Westen seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Abstain: A. Wimmer. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried. L. Lundbeck made a motion to raise Tanner Nielsen’s hourly wage from $12.00 to $13.00. A. Wimmer seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried. J. Van Westen made a motion to raise Barb Fletcher’s hourly wage from $15.50 to $16.50. J. Ransom seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried. J. Ransom made a motion to raise Sherman Nielsen’s hourly wage from $17.80 to $19.00. L. Lundbeck seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried.
The health insurance policy was reviewed by the council. A. Wimmer made a motion to renew the Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy with now having two single policies for Sherman and Barb. The city pays all of single policies which are now at $737.09 per month per employee. J. Ransom seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried. The health insurance renewal and new wages will begin on January 1, 2019.
Sherman presented his maintenance report. He has replaced the water heater in the community building, which had been leaking. He will put up Christmas lights soon, when the weather permits and also snow fence on the west side of town. There is no production date yet on the new Dodge truck that was ordered in July.
Barb presented her clerk’s report. She passed around copies of the annual report which was due to the state on December 1st. She reported that the Visionary Committee has been set up and the first meeting for the group is November 26th at 5:00 p.m. Barb also reported that Town & Country Disposal will be attending the December meeting for a presentation on new recycling options.
J. Van Westen made a motion to adjourn. L. Lundbeck seconded. Ayes: J. Ransom, A. Wimmer, J. Van Westen, L. Lundbeck. Absent: J. Toft. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Florence Ihry, Mayor
Attest: Barbara Fletcher, City Clerk
GENERAL
Wages 1553.51 MCI (long distance) 25.82 Alliant Energy (electricity) 1022.17 Black Hills Energy (gas) 113.17 Internal Revenue Service (941 pymnt.) 654.34 I.P.E.R.S. (Oct. 2018) 538.81 Royal Telephone Co. (phones, internet) 168.59 Verizon Wireless (cell phone) 48.49 Hartley Sentinel Inc. (minutes, ad) 125.38 Canon (copier rental) 58.00 Upper Des Moines Opportunity (donation) 400.00 Town & Country Disposal (garbage) 3134.25 Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield (health ins.) 1470.83
Total $9313.36 Receipts $53,789.84
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
Bomgaars (supplies) 100.05 U.S. Post Office (postage) 120.00 Arnold Motor Supply (supplies) 35.98 Jaycox Implement Inc. (supplies) 53.85
Total $ 309.88 Receipts $5690.60
ROAD USE
Internal Revenue Service (941 pymnt.) 269.59 Wages 1195.21 I.P.E.R.S. (Oct. 2018) 98.89 Haggy’s Inc. (gasoline) 300.00 Great Lakes Concrete (cement) 444.00
Total $2307.69 Receipts $3290.14
WATER UTILITY
Alliant Energy (electricity) 23.87 Black Hills Energy (gas) 35.18 Iowa Lakes Regional Water (water) 3585.80 Iowa Rural Water Assoc. (dues) 225.00
Total $3869.85 Receipts $8205.73
SEWER UTILITY
Toft Electric (repairs) 864.00 Alliant Energy (electricity) 257.42 Internal Revenue Service (941 pymnt.) 269.59 Wages 1150.86 I.P.E.R.S. (Oct. 2018) 98.89 State Hygienic Laboratory (tests) 218.00
Total $2858.76 Receipts $4334.43
COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECT
Receipts $ 175.00
