CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on January 11, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Adams, Borland, Vogel and Custer. Staff present included City Administrator, Tia Samo, City Clerk, Dawne Bowman, City Attorney, James Varley and Public Works, Ryan Brown; other visitors were Ben French, Deputy Pafford, Pat Hall, John Borland and Kathy Arevalo.

Custer made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Adams, all aye, motion carried. Adams made a motion to approve 12/14/15 meeting minutes, seconded by Vogel. Custer made a motion to approve 12/21/15 special meeting minutes, seconded by Adams. Bowman made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Vogel, all aye, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford reported for the Sheriff's Department.

Pat Hall with Snyder and Associates presented the council with information regarding the loan application process for the Wastewater Improvement project. Adams made a motion to approve authorization for submittal of the Iowa State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan application to the Iowa Finance Authority in the amount of $2,250,000.00, seconded by Bowman. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve the sale of the 1987 Boom Truck to Jerry Murphy in the amount of $1,405, seconded by Bowman, all aye, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Chelsie Zech to the Library Board to fill the term ending July 1, 2020, seconded by Adams, all aye, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve the Mayor's 2016 Lenox City Council Committees, seconded by Custer, all aye, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Resolution 16- 1 Tax Abatement for 401 North Main, seconded by Adams. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve 2016 Fire Department Roster, seconded by Adams, all aye, motion carried.

Custer discussed the plan for the City Hall building. It is the recommendation of the building committee, Custer and Vogel to have City Hall removed and combine office space with LMU. John Borland and Kathy Arevalo were present to offer input and answer any questions. Arevalo discussed the safety hazard of their current office due to the generators. Borland spoke of the convenience for the public, as each would remain its own entity. Custer commented that he doesn't see the need to put a lot of funds into the current building when we can split funding and combine, making for better communication between everyone. Vogel would like a committee to be formed with Council and LMU to discuss more in detail. Borland and Arevalo discussed the need to plan ahead at this time. Adams added that the concept is great; however, we still need a shop for Public Works, while the Mayor encouraged the scenario of more than 2 people working in the office and everyone working together. Attorney Varley stated there were no known legal issues of combining office space. Bowman asked Borland if LMU would be interested in doing anything for a shop. Speaking on behalf of LMU, Borland advised the council that he would not say "no". Ryan Brown discussed the need for a heated shop area; however, cold storage is okay as well, and there is no equipment at this time that sits outside. Borland suggested the committee continue looking into the option of combining office space and get a better plan of what it would take. This will be on the next agenda.

Adams moved to adjourn the meeting, Custer seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.