HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes-02/26/2014 CITY OF TIFFIN
Work Session Meeting
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
City Hall
The Tiffin City Council met in a work session on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at City Hall.
Mayor Berner called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. Roll Call: Joann Kahler, Mike Ryan, Jim
Bartels, Mark Petersen. Upton arrived at 6:35 PM. Absent: None. Also present: Brett
Mehmen, Engineer Frederick, Administrator Jackson.
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Motion by Kahler to approve the agenda. Second by Ryan. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Grass Height Discussion: Mayor indicated we have no way to enforce when people should be
required to mow their yards unless there is a grass height restriction. Kahler is concerned that
10 inches is too high and would like to see it at 8 inches. Her concern is if we allow 10, they will
push the issue and let it go to 12 inches. Bartels believes 10 inches is okay. Ryan is concerned
that if he fertilized his lawn and left on vacation for 2 weeks he could meet the restrictions. He
does not favor either way. Discussion that Public Works will enforce; Public Works is okay with
10, but the other workers discussed and felt 8 inches is very high. Upton stated the ordinance
read the mayor will enforce. Mayor indicated it should be changed to Public Works. All agreed
it should be amended.
Concession stand discussion: Petersen indicated he has reviewed over the two days. He is
concerned that the bids are "not the same" so when they were given specs they needed
explained the options. The only option listed was the heating and cooling. If gas needs to be
run, then it would be expensive, like $10-$15K. Brett is not concerned by the heating and
cooling. Upton questioned whether there is heating and cooling at other facilities; she is
concerned that service windows will allow too much AC to escape. Brett indicated the windows
will be sliders and be closed when no one is present at the window. Brett stated that bids were
completed by people who had worked with City in the past. Ryan said he felt like we need to '
re-bid it with a 10-day-turn-around and it should be published. This would allow the City some
protection and no one could be excluded. Ryan said he received a phone call from a contractor
who was upset.
Beer Garden Throttle Down: Administrator Jackson indicated they wanted to add a beer
garden/deck area in the back on the south side. There is nothing in the code for or against it,
although noise may be an issue. Throttle Down already has an outdoor permit. We have had
noise complaints from the folks to the east when things are held outside. All agreed that if it
meets code and all ordinances are met, they are okay.
Payables: Upton questioned cutting edge for plows which Brett answered. Upton also
questioned the signal maintenance costs from IA Interstate RR and wondered if this were for
the trail. Wants City staff to look into and why we pay it and fro how long. Upton also
questioned the SNI solutions and if GeoSalt was road salt, as well as the charges for a Gould
pump and the flask. Brett explained those are for salting the roads, the flask is to measure how
much salt is in the water to make brine that can be applied for the streets. Petersen asked
about CR truck tires and Brett indicated they were for Streets.
Motion made by Bartels to adjourn Petersen, and seconded by to adjourn at 7:01 PM. Motion
carried unanimously.
Michon iron, City Clerk/Administrator Steven L. Berner, Mayor
February 26, 2014
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