CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem, Mike Bowman on November 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Adams, Vogel, Borland and Custer. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and Public Works, Blake Horton. Other visitors were Coleen Larimer, John Borland and Jeff Godwin.

Adams made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried. Vogel made a motion to approve 10/23/17 meeting minutes, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried. Borland made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Adams, all ayes, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve October 2017 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

John Borland was present to discuss the budget for Lenox Municipal Utilities. Borland explained some of the items in their budget include the replacement of a Vactron with the City of Lenox, replacement of a concrete breaker with the City of Lenox and a SCADA system and a backup generator for the south booster station. Borland also noted that health insurance premiums increased a total of 11.11% this year. Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 17- 35 Lenox Municipal Utility Budget for 2018, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman explained that at a previous council meeting a Creative Placemaking study by McClure Engineering was presented to the council for $25,000 and that cost would be shared between the Development Corporation, Lenox Municipal Utilities and the City of Lenox. Since the last meeting, the Development Corporation decided they were unable to participate. Kitzman asked the council if they were still interested in this study without the Development Corporation. Custer expressed that he thought this was a good idea and the City should always be looking for ways to improve. Borland was asked if the utilities would still be interested if the Development Corporation was no longer participating and he stated he would have to check with his board. It was decided to table this subject until we know if the utilities will still share in this cost.

Custer made a motion to approve Professional Service Agreement with Snyder & Associates for Sponsored Project Planning, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Adams made a motion to approve payout #1 to C.L. Carroll in the amount of $21,4970, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve CDBG draw request #2 in the amount of $4,170, seconded by Adams, all ayes, motion carried.

Vogel made a motion to approve SRF draw request #1 in the amount of $17,327, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Precious People were awarded a CDBG grant for building updates. Since the City of Lenox is the grant sponsor, the City must approve and sign a program contract. Custer made a motion to approve the Iowa Economic Development Authority CDBG Program Contract, seconded by Adams, all ayes, motion carried.

The gas utility currently has a 1982 Ditch Witch trencher/backhoe that needs replaced. The replacement trencher/backhoe Horton and Christensen found is a 2014 Vermeer with 286 hours and has a 1 year or 1,000 hour warranty for $78,000. The gas utility pays tax on purchases which will be $5,460 so the total purchase price is $83,460. Custer made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2014 RTX550 trencher/backhoe for $83,460, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman stated that the City is in need of an equipment committee. Custer and Bowman both volunteered to serve on this committee. Adams made a motion to appoint Custer and Bowman to an equipment committee, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

Adams moved to adjourn the meeting, Custer seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:08 P.M.