June 17, 2024
City Council Minutes
213 1st Street NW
Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314
The Mount Vernon City Council met June 17, 2024, at City Hall, 213 1st Street NW, Mount Vernon, IA. A Zoom option was available. The following Council members were present: Andresen, Engel, Rose, West and Tuerler
Call to Order. At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Thomas M. Wieseler called the meeting to order.
Agenda Additions/Agenda Approval. There will be one addition added under Discussion Items regarding a grant application for the Interurban Trail. Motion made by Rose, seconded by West to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carries.
Consent Agenda. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by Andresen to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carries.
Approval of City Council Minutes – June 3, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
Public Hearing
Public Hearing for an Ordinance Adopting Chapter 28 Cemetery Commission of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code. Mayor Wieseler opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. Staff has been discussing the possibility of a cemetery board and/or commission that could be charged with overseeing and recommending changes to the Mount Vernon cemetery. This would include leading efforts to complete restoration work to headstones if no family members are alive and able to complete the necessary work. Mary Evans and Guy Booth submitted additional supporting information for Council consideration in the Council packet and addressed Council with this information. With the creation of this commission, it would allow volunteers to be covered under the City insurance umbrella and would allow them to make recommendations on any improvements or repairs that are needed. Mayor Wieseler closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Council then acted on the first reading of Ordinance #6-17-2024A.
Ordinance Approval/Amendment
Ordinance #5-20-2024A: Amending Chapter 99.02 Rate of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code. Staff has not received any written or verbal comments regarding the proposed ordinance since the first reading. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by West to approve the second reading of Ordinance #5-20-2024A. Roll call all yes. Ordinance passes its second reading.
Ordinance #5-20-2024B: Amending Chapter 92.02 Usage Rate of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code. Staff has not received any written or verbal comments regarding the proposed ordinance since the first reading. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Tuerler to approve the second reading of Ordinance #5-20-2024B. Roll call all yes. Ordinance passes its second reading.
Ordinance #6-17-2024A: Adopting Chapter 28 Cemetery Commission to the Mount Vernon Municipal Code. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Engel to approve the first reading of Ordinance #6-17-2024A. Roll call all yes. Ordinance passes its first reading.
Resolutions for Approval
Resolution #6-17-2024A: Approving Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Transfers. This is the last transfer resolution for FY 2023-2024. Staff is moving some of the depreciation monies back to their respective funds, paying TIF transfers already approved, and zeroing out funds to end the fiscal year. Motion made by Engel, seconded by West to approve Resolution #6-17-2024A. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Resolution #6-17-2024B: Approving the Final Plat of Henik’s Third Addition to Linn County, Iowa. Council was provided a revised resolution which allows the City to waive it’s right to review this plat as opposed to reviewing because Planning and Zoning was not able to meet. This plat lies within the two-mile extraterritorial subdivision review boundary of the City of Mount Vernon and waiving review is typical for these plats. Motion made byTuerler, seconded by Andresen to approve Resolution #6-17-2024B. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Resolution #6-17-2024C: Ordering Construction of Certain Public Improvements, Approving Preliminary Plans, and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereon and Taking Bids Therefore for Improvements Known as the Business 30 Overlay Project. The City of Lisbon has bid the Business 30 overlay project within their city limits and staff would like to bid the section of Business 30 from the roundabout east to our city limit to tie into that bid and potentially reduce costs. The public hearing would be July 15, 2024. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Engel to approve Resolution #6-17-2024C. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Resolution #6-17-2024D: Approving a Perpetual Storm Sewer and Overland Flowage Easement and Temporary Construction Easement for the City of Mount Vernon, Iowa. In regards to Resolutions D & E, Dan and Ray Stoner have agreed to grant both a permanent flowage easement and temporary construction easements to the City of Mount Vernon for the Glenn Street construction project. Motion made by Engel, seconded by Tuerler to approve Resolution #6-17-2024D. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Resolution #6-17-2024E: Approving a Temporary Construction Easement for the City of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Motion made by West, seconded by Engel to approve Resolution #6-17-2024E. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Resolution #6-17-2024F: Ordering Construction of Certain Public Improvements, Approving Preliminary Plans, and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereon and Taking Bids Therefore for Improvements Known as the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The city has completed the televising and cleaning portion of the 2024 Sanitary Sewer improvements. The city will use the remaining grant funding from the Linn County ARPA grant to complete necessary lining and rehabilitation work. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by West to approve Resolution #6-17-2024F. Roll call all yes. Resolution passes.
Old Business
Discussion and Consideration of Sculpture Trail Funding Request – Council Action as Needed (tabled on May 6, 2024). Motion made by Rose, seconded by West to remove this item from the table. Motion carries. Parks and Recreation Director Matt Siders said the Parks and Recreation Board is recommending $10,000.00 be approved for the next phase of the sculpture trail to be paid from LOST funds in FY2025. Motion made by Engel, seconded by Rose to approve the release of $10,000.00 for art on the sculpture trail. Tuerler said he was not against art but was against the use of LOST money for this project, as he felt that was not the intent for the funds. Andresen agreed with Tuerler. Voting yes on the motion to approve: West, Rose, Engel. Voting no: Tuerler, Andresen. Motion passes.
Motions for Approval
Consideration of Claims List – Motion to Approve. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Tuerler to approve the Claims List. Motion carries.
PAYROLL CLAIMS 143,559.88
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS GROUP INSURANCE-ALL DEPTS 39,308.55
REPUBLIC SERVICES #897 GB, RECYL-SW RESIDENTIAL 23,461.68
SPEER FINANCIAL INC 2024 BOND SERVICES 19,485.00
REPUBLIC SERVICES #897 GB,RECYL-SW COMMERCIAL 14,728.11
US BANK CREDIT CARD PURCHASES-ALL DEPTS 6,936.03
FELD FIRE BUNKER GEAR-FD 5,698.00
RED LION RENEWABLES SOLAR ELECTRIC PROD-P&A,PD,LBC 5,613.95
TREASURER STATE OF IOWA SALES TAX 5,004.70
KROUL FARMS BASKETS/PLANTS-P&REC,BEAUTIFICATION 4,103.90
FELD FIRE HELMETS/GEAR-FD 3,645.00
IOWA SOLUTIONS INC COMPUTER MAINT-ALL DEPTS 3,285.00
TREASURER STATE OF IOWA WET TAX 3,153.86
BIG RIGGER BUILDERS, INC ENGINE 216 REPAIRS-FD 2,789.10
CITY OF ELY NIXLE NOTIFICATION-ALL DEPTS 2,498.75
STATE HYGIENIC LAB TESTING-SEW 2,033.50
BANKCARD 8076 CREDIT CARD FEES-LBC,POOL,P&REC 1,922.13
HENDERSON PRODUCTS INC TAILGATE CYLINDERS-RUT 1,824.76
GARY’S FOODS SUPPLIES-POOL 1,781.68
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS INSURANCE CLAIMS-ALL DEPTS 1,545.47
WENDLING QUARRIES ROADSTONE-RUT 1,381.27
IOWA SOLUTIONS INC MONTHLY MAINT-ALL DEPTS 1,240.00
RICHARD BURROUGHS CEMETERY MAINT 1,135.00
IOWA SOLUTIONS INC MONTHLY MAINT-PD 1,035.00
IOWA SOLUTIONS INC COMPUTER MAINT-LBC 835.00
DE NOVO MARKETING WEBSITE/HUBSPOT SUPPORT-ALL DEPTS 825.00
BRADLEY HAUGE CPA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES-ALL DEPTS 775.00
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS INC ADS/PUBLICATIONS-ALL DEPTS 698.18
POSTMASTER UTIL BILL POSTAGE-WAT,SEW,SW 597.83
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS INSURANCE CLAIMS-ALL DEPTS 578.94
US CELLULAR CELL PHONE-PD 499.93
TRI-CITY ELECTRIC CO OF IOWA CAMERA MAINT-LBC 484.00
CORNELL COLLEGE SOCCER OFFICIALS-P&REC 480.00
ALLIANT ENERGY ENERGY USAGE-RUT 400.22
LEAD CUSTOM ENGRAVING TUMBLERS-PD K9 372.00
ALLIANT ENERGY ENERGY USAGE-ST LIGHTS 334.95
DE NOVO MARKETING WEBSITE SUPPORT-LBC 325.00
MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-PW 322.17
MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-FD 303.13
UMB BANK 2024 GO FEES 300.00
MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-FD 293.13
CITY LAUNDERING CO SERVICES-LBC 253.92
LYNCH DALLAS PC LEGAL FEES-P&A 251.00
GARY’S FOODS SUPPLIES-ALL DEPTS 246.48
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MAINT PLAN/COPIES-PD 207.31
ALLIANT ENERGY ENERGY USAGE-P&REC 199.14
NANTEET GUTSCHMIDT REFUND-LBC 197.68
JOHN FOREMAN REFEREE-P&REC 180.00
IOWA SOLUTIONS INC COMPUTER MAINT-PD 170.00
CARQUEST OF LISBON VEHICLE/EQUIP MAINT-RUT 165.68
TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS TRAFFIC LIGHT MAINT-RUT 160.00
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE ASSOC TESTING-SEW 129.70
RICKARD SIGN AND DESIGN CORP CTW SIGN-P&REC 117.70
LYNCH FORD VEHICLE MAINT-PW 107.75
AIRGAS INC CYLINDER RENTAL FEE-PW 101.78
ALLIANT ENERGY ENERGY USAGE-LBC 101.31
ROSE HEDGES REFUND-P&REC 100.00
LYNCH FORD VEHICLE MAINT-PD 96.12
SAWYER FELDMAN REFUND-LBC 96.00
STAPLES INC SUPPLIES-ALL DEPTS 88.45
ALLIANT ENERGY ENERGY USAGE-RUT,P&A,WAT,SEW 86.80
MOUNT VERNON BANK & TRUST NSF CHECK-WAT,SEW,GB 85.09
VESTIS RUGS,SERVICES-FD 84.81
CITY LAUNDERING CO SERVICES-CITY HALL 79.69
CITY LAUNDERING CO SERVICES-CITY HALL 79.69
LUKE RUSHFORD REFEREE-P&REC 75.00
CEDAR VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL CONTROL 75.00
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS INC ADS/PUBLICATIONS-PD 74.88
CENTURY LINK PHONE CHARGES-PD 72.00
CHRISTINE ATKINS DEPOSIT REFUND-WAT 70.77
MATT PLOTZ CDL ENDORSEMENT-PW 64.00
DES MOINES STAMP CITY SEAL-P&A 62.00
JACKIE VASQUEZ DEPOSIT TO FINAL-WAT 60.91
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MAINT PLAN/COPIES-LBC 57.50
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES-LBC 57.00
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MAINT PLAN/COPIES-LBC 56.50
DIESEL TURBO SERVICES INC EQUIP MAINT-RUT 55.29
TIERNEY ROWE REFUND-P&REC 55.00
CHELSEY BLUM REFUND-P&REC 55.00
KURT FORD REFUND-P&REC 55.00
NICHOLE MARTIN REFUND-P&REC 50.00
TED SEITER UNIFORMS-PW 46.95
UNITYPOINT CLINIC-OCCUPATIONAL PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING-PW 42.00
NEAL’S WATER CONDITIONING WATER/SALT-RUT 40.00
BETH HLAS INSTRUCTOR-LBC 40.00
MELINDA SNYDER INSTRUCTOR-LBC 40.00
MILES DUWA REFUND-POOL 37.00
NEAL’S WATER CONDITIONING WATER/SALT-FD 33.00
DANIEL DAUBS MEALS-PD 32.08
LOGAN CHRISTOFFER DEPOSIT TO FINAL-WAT 31.90
NEAL’S WATER CONDITIONING WATER/SALT-CITY HALL 31.25
CALEB DAUSENER REFEREE-P&REC 30.00
LAURA ST JOHN REFUND-POOL 28.00
ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ MEALS-PD 17.80
NEAL’S WATER CONDITIONING WATER/SALT-LBC 12.75
MOUNT VERNON BANK & TRUST NSF CHECK-POOL 12.00
MOUNT VERNON BANK & TRUST WIRE TRANSFER FEE-2024 GO LOAN 5.35
AUTHNET GATEWAY BILLING CREDIT CARD SERVICES-LBC 5.00
TOTAL 310,461.83
FUND EXPENSE TOTALS
PAYROLL 143,559.88
GENERAL FUND 42,937.71
SOLID WASTE 42,070.02
LOST I-FD/EQUIPMENT 14,794.63
LBC 13,897.74
WATER FUND 11,879.68
SEWER FUND 10,974.99
ROAD USE TAX FUND 9,090.28
POOL RENOVATIONS 8,205.54
GLENN ST/CHI/COTTONWOOD 4,103.45
REMOTE READ METER PROJECT 4,103.45
2024 INFRASTRUCTURE 3,077.91
STORM WATER FUND 1,466.55
DEBT SERVICE 300.00
TOTAL 310,461.83
FY24 MAY REVENUE
GENERAL GOVERNMENT 533,706.81
PUBLIC WORKS 249,016.05
PUBLIC SAFETY 100,218.38
CULTURE-RECREATION 98,509.07
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV 12,585.13
TOTAL 994,035.44
Discussion and Consideration of Appointment of the Executive Director for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group – Council Action as Needed. Lisa White, on behalf of the Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group, brought forward a recommendation for the Executive Director position, Jesse Thurn. She currently holds the role of Assistant Manager at Bauman’s and brings many great qualities to the position. The hiring committee agreed that Jesse would be an excellent candidate and approved a salary of $65,000.00. Jesse would also receive an initial bank of 80 PTO hours and a monthly accrual of 16 hours. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by West to approve the appointment of Jesse Thurn as the Executive Director of the Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group. Motion carries.
Reports to be Received/Filed. Full reports can be found on the City website under the June 17, 2024 Council packet.
Mt. Vernon/Lisbon Police Report. Chief Shannon noted a correction that Sergeant Daubs and Officer Ford attended the WETAP event. The K9 golf fundraiser was last week and had a great turnout.
Mt. Vernon Public Works Report
Mt. Vernon Parks and Rec Report
Cole Library Monthly Report
Discussion Items (No Action)
Proposed Ordinance Regulating Vape, Tobacco, CBD, Hemp, etc. Staff provided Council with a shell ordinance and asked if they wanted to proceed with moving forward with further discussion and have the City Attorney review. The majority of Council agreed that they wanted to move forward with this proposed ordinance.
Grant Application for the Interurban Trail. City staff is going to write a letter of support that will be signed by the Mayor for a grant application for the Interurban Trail. This has been a priority for Council for several years.
Reports of Mayor/Council/Administrator
Mayor’s Report. There will be an event for Joe Jennison on June 25, 2024. Wieseler was asked to speak on June 29, 2024 in the Newbo area on the Pride Fest events going on there.
City Administrator’s Report. Full report can be found on the City website under the June 17, 2024 Council packet. City staff will be attending human trafficking training on Friday the 21st of June so City Hall will be closed down for a few hours that day. City Hall will be open as a cooling station at least until Monday the 24th of June.
As there was no further business to attend to, the meeting adjourned, the time being 7:40 p.m., June 17, 2024.

Respectfully submitted,

Marsha Dewell

City Clerk

Published in the MVL Sun, June 27, 2024