The regular meeting of the City of Bertram was held 6/5/24 at 7:00pm at City Hall. Mayor Scott Flaherty presided over the meeting. Council members present were Louise Hall, John Klimek, Bill Mulholland, and Jim Unzeitig. Chris Price was absent.
Hall made motion to approve the agenda. MSB Klimek. Approved: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Unzeitig. Opposed: None. No vote: Price. Agenda approved.
Public comment on agenda items: None.
Hall made motion to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. MSB Klimek. Approved: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Unzeitig. Opposed: None. No vote: Price. Motion approved.
Sheriff’s Report: 10 calls for service, required hours met.
Minutes from 5/1 & 5/22 meetings, no corrections.
June bills (details below consent agenda items). Unpaid Bills…..$1,928.86 / Payroll…..$4,440.08 / Payroll Claims…..$345.18 / Total…..$6,714.12.
Treasurer’s Report for months ended 3/31, 4/30, 5/31/24. Total Cash 5/31…..$940,877.15 / Total Investments 5/31…..$306,368.54 / Total 5/31…..$1,247,245.69 / Current Revenues are at 87.6% of Budgeted Revenues / Current Expenditures are at 68.2% of Budgeted Expenditures.
Update on Nuisance Properties: None.
June Bills. Alliant Energy Electricity $740.62; Casey’s Fuel $208.53; Jared Vogeler Water Operations $400.00; Microbac Lab Water Testing $17.50; Orkin Pest Control $52.00; SolutionWorks Cloud Server $136.05; Student Publications Publication Fees $175.56; Thomas Schmitt Reimbursement for Parts $85.00; Verizon Phone/Internet $87.92; VISA Payroll Services $25.68. Total Unpaid Bills $1928.86. Public Works Payroll $2,270.95; Mayor/Council Payroll $1,708.48; Clerk/Treasurer Payroll $460.65. Total Payroll $4440.08. IPERS Retirement Benefits $345.18. Total Payroll Claims $345.18.
Treasurer’s Report 3/31/24: Gen Fund Beg Bal $666712.96/Deposits $3838.27/Disbursements $19640.36/End Bal $650910.87. Building Fund Beg Bal $17812.22-no changes. Park Renovation Beg Bal $5500.00-no changes. Road Use Tax Beg Bal $194959.30/Dep $2193.34/Disb $555.84/End Bal $196596.80. LOST Beg Bal $241000.64/Dep $3105.56/End Bal $244106.20. ARPA Beg Bal $43361.66-no changes. Water Beg Bal $48254.29/Dep $22.22/Disb $604.57/End Bal $47671.94. Total Ending Fund Balances 3/31 $1205959.69.
Treasurer’s Report 4/30/24: Gen Fund Beg Bal $650910.87/Deposits $36421.45/Disbursements $3652.58/End Bal $683679.74. Building Fund Beg Bal $17812.22-no changes. Park Renovation Beg Bal $5500.00-no changes. Road Use Tax Beg Bal $196596.80/Dep $3077.23/Disb $104.40/End Bal $199569.63. LOST Beg Bal $244106.20/Dep $3277.12/End Bal $247383.32. ARPA Beg Bal $43361.66-no changes. Water Beg Bal $47671.94/Dep $3390.30/Disb $683.60/End Bal $50378.64. Total Ending Fund Balances 4/30 $1247685.21.
Treasurer’s Report 5/31/24: Gen Fund Beg Bal $683679.74/Deposits $2409.43/Disbursements $9472.59/End Bal $676616.58. Building Fund Beg Bal $17812.22-no changes. Park Renovation Beg Bal $5500.00-no changes. Road Use Tax Beg Bal $199569.63/Dep $3063.39/End Bal $202633.02. LOST Beg Bal $247383.32/Dep $4034.78/End Bal $251418.10. ARPA Beg Bal $43361.66-no changes. Water Beg Bal $50378.64/Dep $11.02/Disb $594.22/End Bal $49795.44. Total Ending Fund Balances 5/31 $1247137.02.
Hall made motion to open the regular meeting. MSB Mulholland. Approved: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Unzeitig. Opposed: None. No vote: Price. Motion approved.
Going forward, minutes will reflect “no vote” instead of “nay” or “opposed” for absent council members.
Hall notified Council of multiple complaints regarding the removal of brush and scrub trees from the fence line at High Point Disc Golf Course. The complaints were mainly centered around the trees. Council did ask Public Works employees to begin working on this project, though exact instructions were unknown by council members present. Mayor will ask Public Works to halt work on this project while the scope of the project is reassessed. Council will also consider options for putting up some sort of barrier between disc golf course and right of way.
There was discussion on trees in the right of way. Council explained to residents that there is a balance of insurance claim money remaining from derecho 2020 that is designated for tree removal. This is why there is focus on trees right now. City has reevaluated the list of trees on the removal list and already removed many from this list. Focus is on right of way and trees near city structures, so that risk to city from a liability standpoint is minimized. Council to focus on transparency in communicating future plans, especially to adjacent property owners. For now, Public Works employees will be redirected to focus on mowing and trimming of public areas. Mulholland questioned need for additional ROW surveying. It was explained that surveying needs to be completed to aid in ADA compliance projects, storm water work (including grant opportunities), and to aid in determination of potential sale of public alleyways/roadways that are no longer needed by the City (should City decide there are any).
Request went out to three separate vendors for a chipper/shredder to aid in ROW brush cleanup. Bids were $10,000-$13,000 which prices them out of feasibility.
Linn County Hazard Mitigation. No discussion.
Correspondence:
Hall notified Council of complaints about 33 Ely Street where brush from High Point is being piled. Discussion centered on best way to clear: haul to LC Solid Waste Agency A Street location, chip/shred, burn. Best option is to burn but will need an updated burn permit.
Mulholland voiced concerns regarding drainage at 33 Ely St. Need to dig out to ensure drainage is correct so water doesn’t back up. Public Works to work on getting the lot cleared of tree/brush debris so drainage can be better assessed.
Open to Floor:
Trish Merrifield informed Council of attempts to get her lots cleared along right of ways and asked for culvert work around their property downtown. She warned Council not to touch her trees.
Darwin Harmening does not want Public Works employees mowing the right of ways along his properties because the larger deck is scalping in areas. He will maintain these areas.
Jason Houghtaling spoke out about challenges of public service from both sides of the council table. No matter what decisions are made by council or how hard an employee works, there will always be someone complaining about it. He offered to advise Public Works employees if they have any questions. He stated residents just want to be left alone to maintain their own properties. Based on discussions throughout the meeting, his opinion was that issues centered around council member Price. Hall commented that council members cannot be easily removed unless there is criminal activity. Klimek noted there needs to be clear checks and balances by all council members.
Tony Vislisel informed the Council of damage to back wall of shop. Council to assess and notify insurance company.
Bill Mulholland notified the Council of a new construction site on Skyline Drive that has no silt fence and is a wash area. If lot is >1 acre, DNR can be notified, otherwise he can check with county.
Hall made motion to adjourn. MSB Klimek. Approved: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Unzeitig. Opposed: None. No vote: Price. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Lisa Berry, Treasurer
Published in the Sun, June 20, 2024