The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on April 17, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Punke called the meeting to order and led The Pledge of Allegiance and then directed the City Clerk to call the roll. Present were, Hangartner, Weidner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Meares. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; and Anne Sandvik, Acting City Administrator.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares, to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2006, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Meares, Hangartner, Weidner, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
The Mayor asked for public comments on any action to be taken on Agenda Items. There were none.
Moved by Weidner, second by Hangartner, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $55,621.92. Passed on roll call vote with Weidner, Hangartner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Meares all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented for the month ending March 31, 2006. Passed on roll call vote Hinnen, Meares, Hangartner, Weidner, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by V. Punke, to consider Ordinance 06-07 extending the authorization to Ameren Cilco to construct, operate, and maintain an electric utility system in Eureka for 20 years. The electric franchise fee will increase from $1,500 annually to $12,905 annually and can be reviewed every five years. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, V. Punke, Hangartner, Weidner, Hinnen, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Chambliss, second by Weidner, to consider Ordinance 06-05—The City of Eureka Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. Mr. Chambliss, chair of the Budget Committee, presents this budget totaling $3,998,729. Passed on roll call vote with Chambliss, Weidner, Hangartner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Waters, and Meares all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Chambliss, to consider the recommendation from the Administration and Personnel Committee to accept the proposal from Heinold-Banwart to perform the fiscal year 2005-2006 annual audit for a fee not exceeding $8,600. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Chambliss, Hangartner, Weidner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Weidner, second by Hinnen, to consider the proposed write-off list for water and sewer bill for fiscal year 2005-2006.The total of $285.27 is the lowest amount written off in the past 16 years. This is due to JJ Davis’ hard work in collecting the bills. Passed on roll call vote with Weidner, Hinnen, Hangartner, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Meares all voting Aye.
Committee Reports:
Chairman Meares of the Administration & Personnel Committee: The committee met on April 12 to discuss the Ordinance 06-07 listed above and job descriptions of city employees. The city employees have voted to be represented by ???? The Negotiating Committee members are Waters, Eckert, Meares, and Mayor Punke.
Chairman Weidner of the Enterprise Committee: This committee will meet at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24.
Chairman Waters of the Public Safety Committee: Interviews of the applicants for police officer have been completed. Chairman Waters thanked those who spent 16 hours interviewing 46 applicants. Fourteen have been selected to have background checks. The top three or four will be called back. Hopefully, the job will be filled by the middle of May.
Chairman Eckert of the Park and Recreation Committee: The next meeting will be Monday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. A Skateboard Park meeting was held on Thursday, April 13. The group is checking on more specific costs and the in-kind donations. The ground breaking will be on May 6.
Chairman Hinnen Economic Development and Tourism Committee: The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 25, at 5:00 p.m. Hinnen noted that changes will be made soon at the stoplight intersection with planters, benches, etc.
Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee: Rocco’s has been turned in application and the fingerprint check was received.
New Business: Mayor Punke and Jim Lehman have been discussing the one-ton truck purchase in the budget for 2006-2007. The State Purchasing Plan isn’t offering a one-ton truck this year. The one offered seems to be too large for our needs. Jim is checking to see if bidding this purchase out ourselves will be satisfactory. If not, we may hold off a year on this purchase.
Charles Schlosser and his Relay for Life team are holding a fund raiser at Pizza Hut and are requesting permission to pass out flyers to people in cars and trucks at the stoplight intersection. After discussion, it was determined that safety is a big issue plus they can’t be on the State highway. We prefer they find a different place to do this.
Public Comments: Angie Zobrist, a neighbor of Lucas Hendrickson (the little boy who was killed in Eureka on April 5), requested the City Council to consider supporting an effort to build a playground on the corner of Mill Street and North Myer Street in honor of Lucas. A group of citizens are starting to organize funding, equipment, volunteers, etc., but need city approval. The Mayor asked that the Park Committee meet with this group to discuss the possibilities. This will be on the Park Committee agenda for May 8 at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Marilyn Walter
City Clerk
