The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on July 16, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Scott Punke called the meeting to order and led The Pledge of Allegiance and then directed the City Clerk to call the roll. Present were Aldermen Hinnen, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger. Alderman. Also in attendance were Anne Sandvik, City Administrator; Jim Lehman, Public Works Director; and Chief Al Misener.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares, to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2007, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
The Mayor asked for public comments on any action to be taken on Agenda items. There were none.
Moved by Waters, second by Punke, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $241,439.86. Passed on roll call vote with Waters, Punke, Hinnen, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Kupfer, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented for the month ending June 30, 2007. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Kupfer, Hinnen, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
The Audit of Fiscal Year 2006-2007 was presented to the Council by Neil Gerber and Aaron Phillips from the Auditing firm Heinold Banwart, LTD. The Auditors reported the City is now in a good financial position with the Council efforts to control and reduce operating expenses over the past five years. Neil advised the Council that even with the reserve the City is accumulating in the Enterprise fund, the long range plans show the City will need these reserves to make improvements to the water and sewer plants in the future without having to bond or borrow for the full amount.
Moved by Meares, second by Hinnen, to approve the recommendation of the Administration Committee to proceed with the documentation to transfer a portion of the City property located behind the Middle School (on the west side of Walnut Creek from the sewer plant lagoons) to School District #140 with the School District assuming all costs associated with the transfer of the property. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Hinnen, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by V. Punke, second by Kupfer, to approve the recommendation from the Public Safety and Administration/Personnel Committees to approve the hiring of Scott Wilson as a full-time police officer to fill a vacated position and two part-time police officers, Brian Falatko and Michael Luedtke, to fulfill the College contract. Passed on roll call vote with Punke, Kupfer, Hinnen, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Brian Falatko and Michael Luedtke were sworn in as City Police Officers by Mayor Scott Punke. Scott Wilson is currently a part-time City Police Officer and will be moving to full-time.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Punke to approve the recommendation of the Park Committee to allow Dave Tapp to hold a race for area runners on the primitive trails at the Park on August 18. This event is to raise money for Easter Seals and is in conjunction with Roodstock Easter Seal fundraiser sponsored by Don Rood, Jr., and held at the Yoder property in the Knolls on that date. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Punke Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Committee Reports:
Chairman Waters of the Budget Committee: No Report
Chairman Meares of the Administration and Personnel Committee: No Report
Chairman Hinnen of the Enterprise Committee: There is a meeting scheduled for July 23rd at 6:30 p.m.
Chairman Waters of the Maintenance Committee: No Report
Chairman V. Punke of the Public Safety Committee: No Report
Chairman Hinnen of the Park and Recreation Committee: No Report
Chairman Kupfer of the Economic Development Committee: No Report
Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee: The commission will hold a meeting to discuss percent food to alcohol sales and a policy on the process for alcohol control buys.
Chair Hinthorne of the Communications Committee: There is a meeting Scheduled for July 24th at 6:30 p.m.
New Business: None
Public Comments: School Board member Curt Blunier asked if there would be problem if the school could have the ground being transferred to the School District leveled and mowed prior to the transfer and school starting this fall.
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________
Anne Sandvik, Administrator
