CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on November 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Zabel and Cruz; Nelson and Tull were absent. Staff present was City Clerk, Dawne Bowman and City Administrator, Allison Kitzman. There were no visitors in attendance.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried. Zabel made a motion to approve 11/14/22 meeting minutes, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried. Bowman made a motion to approve the payment of bills, seconded by Zabel, all ayes, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Annual Urban Renewal Report FY22, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Zabel made a motion to approve Resolution 22- 39 Setting Time and Date of 12/12/22 at 5:30 PM for Public Hearing USDA Rural Development Application, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried. Kitzman added this application is for the Fire Department.

Cruz made a motion to approve Resolution 22- 40 for Lenox Municipal Utilities Budget for 2023, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed 2nd Amendment to Contract to the Service Agreement between Lenox Municipal Gas System and Clayton Energy Corporation. There is an increase in administration fees from $2,500 to $2,900 per month with a 2% increase at each annual anniversary of our agreement. Bowman is not in favor of the "open ended" increase; however, Zabel mentioned that we do not really have a choice. Kitzman commented that the annual increase is most likely to alleviate the big increases every 5 or 10 years, as there has not been an increase in many years. The terms of the agreement were discussed and the 1st amendment in 2014. Zabel made a motion to approve 2nd Amendment to Contract to the Service Agreement between Lenox Municipal Gas System and Clayton Energy Corporation, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

There was a discussion on the 2022 Street Improvement Project. Zabel discussed a huge amount of water standing at the intersection of Michigan and Spear Street. After receiving a lot of rain, the water was pooling clear across Michigan Street, whereas in the past, it was only pooling on the north side of Michigan Street. Mayor Douglas added that a resident on West Temple Street has had issues with water drainage for some time and he takes care of it himself by clearing the intake. Zabel added that our storm sewers are not being cleaned and could use some attention. Bowman made a motion to approve Resolution 22- 41 Accepting Work for 2022 Street Improvements, seconded by Zabel, all ayes, motion carried.

Zabel made a motion to approve 3rd Final Pay Application to Blacktop Services in the amount of $19,529.33, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Cruz motioned to adjourn the meeting, Zabel seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:55 P.M.