CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on January 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Peterson, Nelson, Tull and Hodges; Cruz was absent. Staff present was City Clerk, Dawne Bowman, City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and Public Works, Lynn Christensen and visitor, Colleen Larimer.

Tull made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve 12/11/23 minutes, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve the payment of bills, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried. Nelson made a motion to approve December 2023 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

At 5:30 PM, Nelson made a motion to open Public Hearing on Voluntary Annexation Application from AVE- PLP Properties, LLC, seconded by Hodges. There were no comments heard from the public. At 5:32 PM Tull made a motion to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 01 Approving Voluntary Annexation Application from AVE- PLP Properties, LLC, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Nelson made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 02 Approving Investment Funds at PCSB for Fire Department and Gas Utility in a 6 month CD with an interest rate of 5.05%, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Nelson made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 03 Setting 2024 Mileage Rate of $6.67, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve CDBG Draw Request #10 in the amount of $27,604 for LMU Water Project, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Peterson made a motion to approve CDBG Draw Request #11 in the amount of $1,801 for LMU Water Project, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried.

Nelson made a motion to approve Permanent Credit Increase for Library Credit Card to $1,000.00 from $500, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Mayor discussed 2024 Council Committees and asked for volunteers. Kitzman discussed the Library committee member and that it may not be necessary to attend every meeting. It was decided that once every quarter might be sufficient or just random attendance.

At 5:45 PM Tull opened the Public Hearing on Proposed Designation of the 2024 Lenox Commercial Urban Renewal Area, seconded by Nelson. There were no comments heard from the public. Tull motioned to close the Public Hearing at 5:36 PM, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed the Urban Renewal boundary area. Tull made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 04 to Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and Approve Urban Renewal Plan and Project for the 2024 Lenox Commercial Urban Renewal Area, seconded by Peterson. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve 1st Reading of Ordinance 394 Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2024 Lenox Commercial Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, seconded by Hodges. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Nelson made a motion to waive 2nd Reading of Ordinance 394 Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2024 Lenox Commercial Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, seconded by Peterson. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Peterson made a motion to waive 3rd Final Reading of Ordinance 394 Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2024 Lenox Commercial Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, seconded by Nelson. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

Nelson made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 05 Setting Time and Date of February 12, 2024 at 5:30 PM of Meeting at Which it is Proposed to Approve a Development Agreement with AVE- PLP Properties, LLC, Including Annual Appropriation Tax Increment Payments, seconded by Hodges. Roll call votes- all ayes, motion carried.

More discussion was held on 2024 Council Committees. The mayor will work on appointing committees and have it finalized at he next council meeting.

Tull made a motion to approve Resolution 24- 06 Write Off Uncollected Natural Gas Bills in the amount of $595.21, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Lynn Christensen gave a presentation of Annual Public Awareness for Lenox Gas System.

Tull motioned to adjourn the meeting, Nelson seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:08 PM.