HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes-02/12/2014 CITY OF TIFFIN
Minutes Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, February,12, 2014
City Hall
The Tiffin City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at City Hall.
Mayor Berner called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Roll Call:Joann Kahler, Mike Ryan, Jim
Bartels, Peggy Upton, Mark Petersen. Absent: None. Also present: Brett Mehmen, Attorney
Michael, Engineer Frederick;Administrator Jackson.
Motion by Bartels to approve the agenda, secondedby Kahler. Petersen motioned to amend
the agenda to move the reports. Second by Ryan. All ayes. Motion carried.
Community/Citizen Forum: Thank you from a resident to Public Works for getting Iris Ave
cleared of cars and snow. He was concerned that no one stops at the stop sign at Iris; people
are rolling through and perhaps we should flag the stop sign so people pay attention to it.
Minutes
Motion made by Ryan to table January 29th minutes and approve minutes from January 8th and
22nd Second by Kahler. All ayes. Motion carried.
Expenditures and Financial Reports
Discussion by Upton that there are two payments to Tiffin Fire Association. It was explained
that they were missed in January and had to double up to get caught up. Upton asked about
charges for Visa which said "Christmas Decorating Prizes". It was explained that there is limited
space in the computer for description and that charges are for numerous items including
Christmas decorations. Upton requested summary of bank balances each month. Motion by
Kahler to approve Financials for February. Bartels second. Motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. 2014-026: Selective Site Services for Verizon cell tower& lease agreement. Kahler
motioned to approve the resolution. Second by Ryan. Discussion: Kahler indicated the City
should take the $1,800/month and if we don't take it someone else will. Administrator Jackson
explained to Council that she learned the previous councils paid an extra $5,000 to $6,000 in
construction costs for conduit to be installed in the new water tower. It was designed to allow
for cell tower income. It was discussed that because of FCC regulations, only so many towers
can be on the tower. Petersen questioned whether the old cell tower needed to be put on the
new tower. That tower is a South Slope tower and will be moved when the old tower is torn
down: Income from that tower is minimal. Council discussed that any approval of the
resolution will be based on the attorney's proposed changes. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan,
Petersen, Bartels. Nays: Upton. Resolution passed.
To
B. ACTION ON IRELAND AVENUE ACQUISITIONS: This was placed on the agenda in case
property owners had not come in for signatures, but most have complied. Jon's Ice Cream will
be finalized soon. No action needed by council. More updates by next meeting by Raiber.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. 2014-007. Resolution to pay Hagerty Earthworks $26,294.78. Motion by Ryan. Second by
Kahler. Discussion explained this is for pressure reducing valves and new cap lines. Roll Call:
Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton Nays: none. Resolution passed.
B.2014-008; Hart Frederick Consultants to begin design work for Roberts Ferry Rd. Motion to
approve by Kahler. Second by Petersen. Discussion: Upton questioned where the money will
come from for this project. Administrator Jackson added that there are no funds set aside for
this project and will likely have to come out of the general fund. Upton indicated she is not too
keen on moving ahead with a capital improvement until we get Ireland Avenue under
construction. Per Doug a Hart Frederick, much of the design work has already been done. This
project will require no DOT action, strictly just the City of Tiffin. Believes estimates will be
approximately$50K. There will be some Right of Way design work. The project was looked at
three Councils ago. MPO has approved up to 40% of the project. Council questioned whether
the General Fund can be reimbursed and a TIF fund be used. Because this is a TIF district, some
TIF funds can be used. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: none.
Resolution passed. •
C. 2014-009: Hart Frederick to get estimates for Jasper Ave/Park Rd turn lanes. Capital
Improvements show this as two separate projects. A RISE grant will help to pave Park Rd to
Forever Green. Turn lanes on Hwy 6 and then widening. Need to get design work underway to
meet RISE grant deadlines. This grant could help pave it sooner than later, with the hope that
the DOT will help to pay for a portion since it will be a detour route. Motion to approve by
Ryan. Second by Petersen. We have a small window of just over 30 days, so we need to get
started. Doug wanted to know if there was still interest in a middle left turn lane. Expectation
is that developers will need to place one for their developments. Hart Frederick will need to
work with Willow Ridge/MMS. Upton asked with Willow Ridge &the corner of Park Rd won't
there be costs borne by School &Willow Ridge. Per Berner, Shive said that traffic warrants are
City responsibility versus the School or the developer; the DOT traffic counts decide. The DOT
indicated that turn lanes were supposed to be put in many years ago but it was not done. We
really need to investigate the costs and who bears what cost. Can we design it both ways and
show the cost difference? Hart Frederick will work on it. Motion by Kahler to approve. Second
by Ryan. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: None. Resolution
approved.
Resolution 2014-010: Turn lanes for Willow Ridge. Motion to approve by Kahler, second by
Ryan. Discussion: Hart Frederick knows what is needed. The intersection is the responsibility of
MMS/Walton and the only portion paid for by the City is the Kimberlite extension. Roll Call:
Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: None. Resolution approved.
2014-011:To set a Public Hearing for Chapter 52 to add grass height restrictions. Most cities
have these in their codes at a limit of 10 inches. Currently the City has an ordinance for noxious
weeds, but not for grass. Ryan motioned to set a public hearing. Second by Petersen. Roll Call:
Ayes: Kahler, Ryan Petersen and Bartels. Nays: Upton. Resolution passed.
2014-012: To amend Water Ordinance Chapter 92. This will allow for lawn water meters.
Motion to set a public hearing by Ryan. Second by Kahler. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes:
Kahler, Ryan, Petersen and Bartels. Nays: None. Resolution passed.
2014-013: Resolution to approve items for capital improvement plan. This plan is from the
prior work session. Motion to approve by Ryan, Second by Kahler. Discussion: As long as we
can still amend the plan, then everyone okay with it. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen,
Bartels and Upton. Nays: None. Resolution passed.
2014-014: Resolution to approve the alcohol license for Throttle Down. Motion to approve
by Ryan. Second by Kahler. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels, Upton. Nays:
None. Resolution passed.
2014-015: Resolution to approve alcohol license for The Depot. Motion to approve by Kahler.
Second by Petersen. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels, Upton.
Nays: None. Resolution passed.
2014-016: Setting a public hearing for FY 2015 budget. Motion to approve by Upton. Second
Bartels. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels and Upton. Nays:
None. Resolution passed.
2014-017: Setting public hearing for disposal of a 1998 Dodge 1500. Motion to approve
setting public hearing by Ryan. Second by Petersen. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler,
Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: None. Resolution passed.
Discussion and Possible action for a work session for Tuesday February 18th at 6:30. Motion
to approve work session by Ryan. Second by Kahler. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes:
Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartles and Upton. Nays: None. Action passed.
Discussion and Possible Action for waste water class for employee to take class. Motion to
approve by Ryan. Second by Petersen. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan,
Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: None. Action passed.
Discussion and Possible Action to purchase a new photo copier. Motion to approve purchase
by Kahler. Second by Bartels. Discussion: Ryan motioned to amend not to exceed $7,000.
Second by Bartels. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels, Upton. Nays: None. Action
passed.
Discussion and Possible Action to amend the building inspector's contract for commercial
inspections. Motion to approve amending building inspector's contract by Ryan, Second by
Bartels. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes: Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels and Upton. Nays:
None: Action passed.
Discussion and Possible Action for donation to CCA Fun Fair. Motion to approve for same
amount as prior year, $100, by Ryan. Second by Petersen. Discussion: None. Roll Call: Ayes:
Kahler, Ryan, Petersen, Bartels & Upton. Nays: None. Action passed.
Reports
Attorney Raiber reported: Ireland Avenue continues to progress. Several easements are done
with help from Council and City Hall. The Church and Railroad are almost done. Schneider
continues to be negotiated through his attorney. The Church has some title issues and should
be done in the next few weeks. The goal is to try to get them done before the end of the
month. For the Railroad, it was approved with some special provisions that required DOT
approval for Right Of Way. On the parcel across the street, everything has been approved.
There is one discrepancy in the legal description and it is being worked out. Bartels had a
question on the parcel. Right now the parcel will be a lease since we can't own it until the
parcel is paid for; once released by the mortgage company, we will own it. Ryan questioned
whether we can gravel it. According to Administrator Jackson, our ordinance says we have to
pave it. We may need to negotiate that in the agreement.
Engineer Frederick reported: Doug reported that plans were mailed to DOT today which will be
reviewed and placed on final plans due March 18th. Doug assured the City that they will meet
that deadline. Petersen had questions about Roberts Ferry Rd going North and thought there
might be issues with construction and storm sewer. According to Doug, the storm sewer has to
start at Clear Creek and work that way. Petersen said that the contractor was concerned that
he would have to pay for it. It was discussed that the storm sewer is part of the whole project,
not up to one person.
Public Works Director Mehmen reported: Concession stand will be bid on the 25th. It will
hopefully be just four bids; the project was shrunken and design changed. Water and sewer
will be moved.
Sand is not being used as much on the street. Instead, we are using brine. When streets are
treated with actual salt, we use 3 times as much. In the long run, it should be a savings.
Discussion that perhaps that means we can have more plows out instead of constantly sanding.
Streets are looking better and clearing faster. Salt supply is short but we can get it for the
water treatment plant.
Ryan commented on the trail cleaning. He said that he was on the trail late Sunday and the trail
was not done and it had snowed on Saturday. He commented that once streets are done, they
need to start trails. Per Brett, we can't use bobcat on the trails with a brush. They will use the
Kubota and drive down and throw salt/sand down.
--I
Water tower progress: Per Brett, it is going 100% and PRB's are working. The mixer we bought
for the tower works in reverse, but not forward. New mixer is coming in May. Tower is 2/3 full
with 350,000 gallons now. Pretty sure that pressure will be improved. There are people on
Redbird who are now happy.
City Clerk/Administrator Jackson reported: Public works put City Hall's new office together.
The file cabinets will be in tomorrow. People are inquiring about renting it and walking
through. Residents are asking for walk-throughs. All are pleased so far, which is very exciting.
Report that we have an individual who is available to work on the RISE grant and any other
grant. The RISE grant is to try and fund the turn lanes. We will hire not to exceed $5,000. This
person is in between positions and has experience on RISE grants and federal and state grants.
Since there is not a lot of time, this will be the best so that Michon won't have to provide a ton
of oversight, since he is well vested in grants. Need to meet deadlines. This item will be on
next agenda item. Name is Chris Ward and used to be a City Administrator. RISE grant deadline
is approximately March 28th
Petersen requested to have TiffinFest on the next agenda.
Mayor Berner reported: Nothing
Motion made by Upton, and seconded by,Ryan to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Carried Unanimously.
—A -
Michon J.ckso , City Clerk/Administrator Steven L. Berner, Mayor
February 14, 2014