CITY OF LENOX

Due to the COVID- 19 Health Crisis, Lenox City Hall is closed to public access. This Council meeting was held electronically through GoToMeeting as allowed by Section 21.8 of Iowa Code. A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on April 27, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Tull, Zabel and Cruz; Brown was absent. Staff present electronically was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman, City Clerk, Dawne Bowman and Public Works, Blake Horton and Ryan Brown. Colleen Larimer was also present electronically.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Zabel, all ayes, motion carried. Zabel made a motion to approve 04/13/20 meeting minutes, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Brown entered the meeting at 5:32 PM.

Zabel made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Brown, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed an agreement with Little Green Trailer concerning mobile food stand in the City Park. The agreement states they will be parked at the City Park no more than 2 days per week and they will not sell anything being sold by the Lenox Pool. The council was all in agreeance with the agreement.

A discussion was held on the quotes received for an end loader. Blake Horton and Ryan Brown were present electronically to answer any questions. There were 3 quotes received: Case quoted $114,500 however, this machine is too big for what we need, John Deere quoted $118,173.97 with a trade in value of our current end loader at $9,300 and the last quote was Ziegler Cat at $111,350 with a trade in value of $10,000 for our end loader. Brown stated that the versatility of the Zeigler worked best for what they were needing and there is a service rep that is in the area on a weekly basis. Horton commented that the Zeigler was a better machine all the way around. The council commended Horton and Brown for researching each machine. Zabel questioned how we would pay for this. Kitzman stated that this was a budgeted item for the FY20 budget, as we have a CD for $5,000 and LOST funds. Zabel concerned of other items being paid from LOST funds and the possibility of utilizing Road Use Tax funds. Kitzman added that we have road projects that we use those funds for and we are currently are not using all the LOST funds that are received and gave the current balance of over $300,000 in LOST funds. Bowman made a motion to approve the purchase of the Ziegler Cat end loader in the amount of $111,350.00 seconded by Brown, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed some CD's that are coming due and with the very low interest rate, the finance committee decided on rolling them into 91- day CD's, as the interest rate is the same as 6- month CD's. Zabel approved Resolution 20- 18 Regarding City's Certificate of Deposits, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Zabel approved May 26, 2020 for council meeting, due to Memorial Day, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Mayor discussed and updated the council committees, due to the resignation of Nick Custer.

There was a discussion on library repairs. Kitzman mentioned that she wants to keep this conversation going, as the public needs to be aware that we are working on this, that an engineer has been hired, and we are moving forward with the project. Kitzman also discussed that she would like to invite Shive- Hattery to attend a council meeting; however, she would like it to be in person, rather than electronically. Zabel would like to pursue the purchase of an existing building, rather than spend $500,000 to fix the library. There was a discussion on how the City could be impacted due to COVID- 19, as the sales tax is not being collected as usual. Zabel added that she is all for keeping history; however, the City has a lot of money wrapped up in the trailer court project and at this time, it does not make sense to spend that kind of money. Kitzman discussed how these different ideas are all options that the public will be aware of and could have an opinion on. Kitzman noted that this project has been ongoing since 2014 and needs to keep moving forward. This will be on the next agenda.

Brown moved to adjourn the meeting, Tull seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.