City Council Regular Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on February 26, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Ramsey, Vogel, and Custer; Borland was absent. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Other visitors were Rob Lundquist, Jeremy Rounds, Chris Nelson and Deputy Pafford.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve 2/12/18 meeting minutes, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried. Vogel made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

At 5:30 PM a Public Hearing was held for Proposed Plans, Specifications, Forms of Contracts and Estimate of Cost for Neighborhood Center Building Addition Re-Bid. There were no comments heard from the public. Bowman made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 5:31 PM, seconded by Custer, motion carried.

Chris Nelson with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhn & Co. was present to discuss the FY17 audit findings. Nelson discussed the financial statements with the council.

At 5:45 PM a Public Hearing was held for FY18-19 Budget. There were no comments heard from the public. At 5:46 PM Custer made a motion to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Bowman.

Nelson continued his discussion on the audit, and noted that overall the audit went well.

Borland entered the meeting at 5:50 PM.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-10 Approving Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for Neighborhood Center Building Addition Re-Bid, seconded by Bowman, all aye, motion carried.

There was a discussion on the 5 bids received for the Neighborhood Center Addition Re-Bid with the lowest bid being Jeff Larabee with J & J Construction. Rob Lundquist discussed the need for a Handicap parking spot at the Neighborhood Center, which was included in the bids as the Alternate bid.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-11 Make Award of Contract to Jeff Larabee with J & J Construction for a base bid amount of $71,250 and alternate bid of $2,400, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeremy Rounds with SICOG presented the council with information on the CDBG Housing Rehab Project. The City has applied for this grant for the past few years and have struggled with interest and qualified applicants. It was the consensus of the council that at this time the focus needs to be on City buildings, as we are also working on big projects, such as the Treatment Plant upgrade, the Neighborhood Center Addition, and the Walking Trail. The council agreed to not to move forward at this time.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-13 to Commit Financial Support for Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program Grant, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. The City is committing to $25,000 of city funds if the grant is awarded and if the Lenox Development Corporation raises the remaining funds for the project.

Kitzman discussed the FY18-19 Budget to include taxes, valuations and other budget items. There was a discussion on the condition of city buildings, as there is excess money budgeted that will be spent on building repairs and maintenance. These buildings will include City Hall, community center, library and the depot.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-12 for FY18-19 Budget, seconded by Ramsey, all aye, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford reported for the Sheriff’s Department.

Ramsey moved to adjourn the meeting, Vogel seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.