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 May 26, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Brown, Tull and Zabel; Cruz was absent. Staff present electronically was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman, City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Colleen Larimer was also present electronically.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Brown, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve 05/11/20 meeting minutes, seconded by Brown, all ayes, motion carried. Cruz entered the meeting at 5:35PM. Zabel made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Brown, all ayes, motion carried.

There was a discussion held on library repairs. Due to City Hall being closed to the public, Shive Hattery was not available. Brown stated the plan by Shive Hattery was overpriced and the Mayor commented that the library needs to be water tight and the City should not spend that much money getting it water tight. Kitzman discussed the plan, explaining the plan has priorities listed and some of those items can be removed from the plan, which would cut costs, such as the roof. The roof will need replaced in the next 3 years, but does not have to be done right now. Shive Hattery also priced the installation of a new ramp and new windows, adding that Public Works could get a ramp installed for less than the price in the plan and the windows will need replaced, but we don't necessarily have to get the windows Shive Hattery is suggesting. Kitzman discussed that there are items that can be omitted and we can just concentrate on the south and east side of the library building. It was the consensus of the council to have Shive Hattery attend the next council meeting electronically.

Kitzman discussed Dalton Ag TIF, as she had a conversation with Rob Cox and is asking for 50/50% rather than 70/30%. The Mayor is recommending that a decision be made at the next council meeting. Kitzman will get the information to the council and this will be on the next agenda.

Bowman made a motion to approve Tom Christensen, Kim Morris and Don Cox to the Park/Pool/Rec Board for a term of 2 years, expiring June 2022, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Brown made a motion to approve re- appointment of Sherri Calvin to the Board of Adjustments for a term of 5 years, expiring June 2025, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve CDBG Draw Request #7 in the amount of $10,729.00 for PPLC, seconded by Zabel, all ayes, motion carried.

There was a discussion held on City Hall opening and work schedules. The doors are currently closed to the public; however, Bowman explained that a plan needs to be put in place in case anyone from City Hall or Public Works would be quarantined. We need to know who will read meters or do the sewer lab readings. Brown suggested that masks be worn and the doors remain closed. Tull explained that her employment is facing the same predicament, if one person gets sick, they could all be subject to quarantine, leaving no one there. Kitzman added that there are a lot of areas that need to be considered, who will process payroll, who will pay the bills, who will do sewer labs, who will read meters. The Mayor asked that if someone is in quarantine, but not really sick, could they still do their job if no one else was around. Zabel suggested Public Works keeping masks in the vehicles to use when necessary. At this time, there were no solutions as there is still a lot of unanswered questions.