City Council Regular Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on August 13, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Custer, Borland and Ramsey; Vogel was absent. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Other visitors were John Borland, Dave and Pat Ferris, Jeff Godwin and Colleen Larimer.

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

Borland made a motion to approve 7/23/18 meeting minutes, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve July 2018 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-32 Lenox Municipal Utilities Budget Amendment, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried. John Borland was present to answer any questions.

Bowman made a motion to approve Pay Request #10 to C.L. Carroll in the amount of $393,734.92, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. Jeff Godwin was present to update on the project.

Borland made a motion to approve CDBG Draw Request #11 in the amount of $76,384.00, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve SRF Draw Request #10 in the amount of $329,228.91, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to amend Lenox Code of Ordinance Chapter 165.22 (8) Bed and Breakfast. The current ordinance states the owner of a Bed and Breakfast must reside there, it is the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board to change the ordinance so the owner does not have to reside there, but must have someone overseeing the property. This will allow out of town guests a place to stay, as there is a shortage in Lenox. Dave and Pat Ferris were present and stated that this change would not affect PJ's Inn; however, it was noted that even if the Lenox Code of Ordinance changes, the Iowa State Laws will still have to be followed. There will be a public hearing regarding this issue on August 27, 2018 at 5:45 PM.

Kitzman discussed the walking trail project and the lease agreement to PPI in 2016 allowing the City to keep 25 ft. of the right of way for the walking trail. The trail has gone over that 25 ft. and due to possible expansion, PPI is not interested in giving any more, therefore the walking trail needed to be moved approximately 25 ft. The dirt was there, but crews will be on-site an extra 2 days due to this change and there needed to be more engineering work done to move the trail.

Bowman made a motion to approve Snyder and Associates Supplemental Agreement for the Walking Trail Project in the amount of $2,500.00, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. Borland made a motion to approve Clint Curtis and Jeff Owen to the Low Rent Housing Board for a term of 2 years, ending 9/2020, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve Linda Hogan to the Neighborhood Center Board for a term of 2 years, ending 8/2020, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Special Events Permit for Pursuit of Independence, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Teya Still as pool manager for the remainder of the season at $10 per hour, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve 2017-2018 Outstanding Obligation Report, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed Parking Regulations and Parking and Storage of Vehicles, as the City receives multiple complaints of vehicles in yards. This is not referring vehicles parked in front yards, as there are already restrictions to that, nor is this referring to junk and/or inoperable vehicles. Ordinance 378 Amending Parking Regulations, Kitzman discussed duplicating our current ordinance into the Parking Regulations of the Code of Ordinance, so that parking tickets can be written, rather than utilizing the Nuisance Abatement procedure. This will be on the next agenda.

In discussion of Ordinance 379 Amending Outside Parking and Storage of Vehicles, Kitzman advised the council that the current ordinance allows 4 vehicles to be parked in yards excluding vehicles parked in driveways. Again, this is not referring to front yards or junk vehicles. Custer explained that his goal is for no motor vehicles to be parked in a yard and would like to see driveway or streets used, rather than yards. Bowman does not want to restrict the number of vehicles a person can have. In Ordinance 379 Amending Outside Parking and Storage of Vehicles, it is proposed that 4 vehicles are allowed, excluding vehicles parked in a garage. There was a discussion on the number of vehicles the council would like to allow and how they wish to move forward with the excess vehicles in yards. This will be on the next agenda.

Ramsey moved to adjourn the meeting, Custer seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.