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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMay 06 City of Riverdale City Council Vacancy Notice Council Member Anthony Zemo resigned from the City Council effective May 9, 2006, creating a vacancy on the City Council. The City Council intends to fill this vacancy on the City Council by appointment at the City Council meeting to be held at Riverdale City Hall on June 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The electors of the City of Riverdale have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy on the City Council be filled by a special election rather than appointment by the City Council. A petition for a special election must have signatures of at least 15% of the voters who voted in the preceding regular election for City Council. This petition for a special election to fill the City Council vacancy must be filed with the Riverdale City Clerk within the later of 14 days after publication of this notice or 14 days after the appointment is made by the City Council. Anyone who is interested in this appointment should send or deliver a letter of interest to the City Clerk’s office no later than June 5, 2006, for consideration by the City Council. Please call Theresa Ralfs at Riverdale City Hall with any questions. Theresa Ralfs City Clerk, City of Riverdale Notes from Norma May 2006 The gardening books have arrived …and continue to arrive. Oh my, if my garden would look like those colorful, healthy, bug free, blooms and vegetation providing the antidote to sadness, and uplifting the spirit. But try as I might, the gardens have a fleeting short window of beauty. Sometimes they look better than other times, and sometimes a single plant with a single glorious bloom among other sagging vegetation is the only survivor of an effort at planting. It is nothing like the pictures in the catalog. There is probably a direct correlation between the amount of time one invests in weeding, feeding and attention, to the colorful, healthy growing. Take a drive around Riverdale; there are many places of lovely gardens, beautiful color and healthy looking ground cover. The early spring blooms of fruit trees and aromatic lilacs are about over, but weren’t they great to enjoy? There is a beautiful aroma (the lilacs) lingering around the back door of out Town Hall one can’t help but notice when entering. There are birds nesting in the dense bushes around the back door. They are none too happy with folks coming and going as they respond with their flutters and flights. It puts a smile in your spirit to notice and enjoy these gifts of spring. Have you noticed the Water Tower is gone? According to the City’s archives, on September 1, 1955, Pleasant Hills Water Company secured a franchise from the Town of Riverdale, Iowa, to operate and maintain facilities in that Town. Davenport Water Company, as successor to Pleasant Hills Water Company, operated and maintained the facilities under that franchise. Water mains were extended around Riverdale in 1978 and 1979. The Tower, which once held 100,000 gallons of water, and served the residents of Pleasant Hills, has been empty since about 1993. The ground, owned by the City of Riverdale, presents possibilities for other use. That is where residents of Riverdale will be asked, What do you want to see in that space? Some years ago sketches were drawn up in anticipation of the eventual removal of the Tower and freeing of the land for other uses. Those old sketches are a lovely vision including gardens. I will be requesting the council to form a citizen’s committee for exploring all the possibilities. Plantings may be a part of a new use. I know the gardening books will keep coming, and I’ll keep looking at them, but know they’re only a resource to inspire the possibilities in a perfect setting. But gardens grow, or not, where they are planted. So we deal with the soil, sometimes more clay than we’d like; the rains, sometimes too much or too little; the temperature, not always ideal for growing things. But we plant anyway, looking for even the single bloom whose loveliness lifts the spirit, and inspires us to plant again. OFFICIAL MINUTES Mayor Wren opened the regular meeting of the Riverdale City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Roll Call: Present: Zemo, Grindle, Halsey and Franklin Absent: Ulrich Also present were Marie Randol, Floyd Bruns and Jim Ellis (AMENT) Agenda: The agenda was approved with a motion by Zemo and seconded by Franklin. Roll call vote: All ayes, motion carried. Minutes: Motion was made by Grindle and seconded by Halsey to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2006 with correction. Roll call vote: Zemo-yes, Grindle-yes, Halsey-yes, Franklin-yes. All ayes, motion carried. Warrants: A motion was made by Franklin and seconded by Halsey to approve the corrections to the April 18, 2006 warrants for payment. Roll call vote: All ayes, Motion carried. After some discussion, a motion was made by Zemo and seconded by Grindle to approve the following warrants for payment. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. May 2, 2006 General Fund COMPANY DESCRIPTION AMOUNT K & K HARDWARE vehicle supplies $20.18 DANKO EMERGENCY EQUIP. install back up camera $1,538.00 K & K HARDWARE batteries/wrench $31.59 COMP-U-STITCH 2 jackets/8 crest $203.50 VERIZON WIRELESS monthly cell phone $15.81 ENVIROMARK storm sewer repair $442.00 DECCO st. light repair $90.75 SCOTT CARLSON tree removal at City Hall $200.00 J & M DISPLAYS, INC. 4th of July fireworks $6,970.00 THERESA RALFS semi monthly $540.54 STANLEY, LANDE & HUNTER professional service for March $841.28 MYRA HALSEY April cleaning $121.00 BANKS PLASTERING & DRYWALL balance less $500 deposit $4,535.62 GABRILSON service/new motor on unit #2 $205.44 MYRA HALSEY cleaning supplies $42.71 THERESA RALFS bottle water $1.89 JEFF GRINDLE mileage reimbursement $39.61 NORMA WREN flag cleaned $7.76 Total Gen. Fund Warrants $15,847.68 RECEIPTS MediaCom $967.55 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Zemo reported to the council that the pressure in the drinking fountain at Bicentennial Park needed to be adjusted, and that it has been taken care of. Franklin questioned Zemo about which water line was tapped into for the drinking fountain. Zemo will call Hometown to find out. Zemo questioned if it was time to put sod down near the drinking fountain. After some discussion it was decided by the council to wait for the ground to settle. Zemo requested the playground equipment be high pressure washed. This subject was tabled for a future meeting. Zemo explained to the council that he was not contacted by anyone when it was discovered that the playground equipment for Haven’s Acres Park would need to be put out for bid. Zemo had contacted the city attorney with questions regarding the bidding process and told the council the call and expense could have been avoided if he had been told about the situation. Mayor Wren apologized for this lack of communication, and told Zemo to contact the city clerk in the future as the clerk is kept apprised of actions. Grindle informed the council that he contacted the landscape company about grass being mowed into the streets and picnic tables not being put back. Grindle told the council that the speed sign is currently being used by the Scott County Sheriffs department and will be used on Kensington when it is returned. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: The issue of an easement for the placement of parking barriers at Boylers is pending. Jim Ellis from AMENT spoke to the council about a proposal for storm sewer inlet repair. The storm sewer inlet that is located where the water tower stood was discussed by the council. Different kinds of storm sewers and options were discussed for this area. A motion was made to proceed with the proposal from AMENT to develop specification booklets, with a plan of the proposed repairs included in the specifications booklet, for the repair of 13 brick storm sewer inlet structures within the City of Riverdale by Franklin and seconded by Grindle. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. Jim Ellis (AMENT) told the council the wet weather monitoring samples that were taken from Duck Creek and Belmont Road appeared to be at low levels which is a good result. The council discussed solutions to the speeding issue on Kensington near Haven’s Acres Park. A motion to put a three way stop on Kensington was made by Halsey and seconded by Franklin. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. A motion to accept the proclamation of the Iowa School Board Recognition Week 2006 was made by Grindle and seconded by Zemo. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. Mayor Wren informed the council that the Plan and Zone board recommended the council adopt the Proposed Landuse Map for the City of Riverdale. After some discussion, a motion to adopt the Proposed Landuse Map for the City of Riverdale was made by Grindle and seconded by Halsey. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL: Marie Randol inquired about the councils intentions regarding the curbing in Riverdale. Grindle relayed the curbing was not dangerous at this time. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL AND OTHER OFFICIALS: Mayor Wren informed the council that the owner of the property on Fenno has contracted a company to clean out the ditches and has installed erosion barriers. Mayor Wren told the council that the attorney representing the city in the lawsuit has been in a serious car accident and is unsure of how it will impact the case. Mayor Wren interviewed John Channon for the maintenance position for the City of Riverdale. Mayor Wren asked the council for some advice about an acceptable salary. Zemo recommended contacting Iowa Job Service for a range of pay. The topic of a maintenance person will be discussed at a future meeting. Mayor Wren has scheduled a crew from the Scott County Sheriffs department to clean up areas along Valley Drive and Belmont Road on May 16th. Franklin informed the council he and Mayor Wren will be attending a preliminary meeting about the Belmont Road project on Thursday, May 4th. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. ____________________ ____________________ Norma Wren, Mayor Theresa Ralfs, City Clerk OFFICIAL MINUTES Mayor Wren opened the regular meeting of the Riverdale City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. Roll Call: Present: Grindle, Ulrich and Franklin Absent: Halsey Also present were Teri Stickler, Marie Randol, Floyd Bruns, Jim & Phyllis Beran, Eldon & Helen Hansen, Beth Mahler, Larry Shoultz, Greg Harris (DNR), Regina Meer, Dale & Linda Hupp and John Claussen Agenda: The agenda was approved with a motion by Franklin and seconded by Grindle. Roll call vote: All ayes, motion carried. Minutes: Motion was made by Ulrich and seconded by Franklin to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of May 2, 2006. Roll call vote: Grindle-yes, Franklin-yes, Ulrich-yes. All ayes, motion carried. Warrants: After some discussion, a motion was made by Franklin and seconded by Ulrich to approve the following warrants for payment. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. May 16, 2006 General Fund COMPANY DESCRIPTION AMOUNT QUINT CITIES PETROLEUM fuel $145.30 DANKO EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT 2-SMA solid state flasher $157.84 HEIMAN FIRE EQUIPMENT battery for camera $257.13 ARRAKIS PUBLISHING/FIRE PROGRAMS support and upgrade service for a year $295.00 MIDAMERICAN ENERGY st. lights $891.41 DECCO st. light repair $87.22 ALLIED WASTE SERVICES monthly contract $1,695.00 AMENT service for April $716.68 THE OUTHOUSE monthy service $104.00 CRIBBS LANDSCAPING monthly lawn care $1,147.37 THERESA RALFS semi monthly $540.54 MARY HANSON monthly $73.65 US BANK monthly withholding $460.03 IPERS monthly $151.34 STANLEY, LANDE & HUNTER april services $1,567.50 MIDAMERICAN ENERGY utilities $650.31 QWEST monthly phone $134.34 FLOORING XPRESS carpet installation $2,434.00 CRIBBS LANDSCAPING monthly lawn care $289.58 MCCLOUD pest control $72.00 MCCLUNG PAINTING & WALLCOVERING paint foyer ceiling/prime walls/wallpaper $1,714.20 QUAD CITY TIMES publishing $83.94 MEDIACOM monthly online service $45.95 IOWA ONE CALL service $19.80 Total Gen. Fund Warrants $13,734.13 CITY OF DAVENPORT $1,345.12 RECEIPTS Room Rent $10.00 Alcoa Traffic Light Repair $358.91 Alcoa Sewer $6,013.00 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ulrich informed the council that specifications and general work for the Haven’s Acres Park playground equipment had been forwarded on to the city attorney. After the specifications have been found to be in compliance the notice for bids will be published. The April 2006 financial report was discussed. A motion was made by Grindle and seconded by Ulrich to approve the April 2006 financial report. Roll call vote: all ayes, motion carried. Beth Mahler informed the council that she is in the process of finding volunteers for the July 4th celebration. Mayor Wren and the City Council thanked Beth for taking on this task. OLD BUSINESS: Greg Harris from the DNR spoke to the council about deer hunting in Riverdale. Because Bettendorf has the resources to check in deer on a daily basis, Riverdale and Bettendorf will consult with each other and prepare some Deer Management Zone Procedures. Bow hunting would be allowed during the entire time of October 1, 2006 - Jan 21, 2006. The topic of parking barriers will be discussed at a future meeting. The council would like a detailed list of coverage that the maintenance person would need to carry from their insurance. The council would also like the amount the city spent on maintenance in a year. The issue of a maintenance person will be discussed at a future meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Anthony Zemo resigned from his council seat on May 9, 2006. Mayor Wren and Council discussed the process that will need to take place to fill the vacant council seat. After considering the considerable cost of a special election and the council seat term only lasting a year and a half a motion was made by Franklin and seconded by Ulrich to fill the vacancy by appointment. Roll call vote: Franklin-yes, Grindle-yes, Ulrich-yes. All ayes, motion carried. The City Clerk gave each councilman a copy of the erosion control section of the SUDAS (State Urban Design and Specifications) manual. As part of the Storm Water Management NPDES Phase II program, the city is required to have a manual available as a guidance document on erosion control. The council will review this manual and discuss it at the June 6, 2006 meeting. A motion was made by Ulrich and seconded by Grindle to accept the increase in dues from Bi-State Regional Commission. Roll call vote, all ayes. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL: Eldon Hansen raised concerns over the cost of the new park equipment for Haven’s Acres Park. Ulrich stated that only two pieces of the original park equipment will remain, and extensive work will be needed to get the area ready for the new equipment. Jim Beran stated he was upset by the recent article in the Des Moines Register about the City of Riverdale and the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Wren responded by stating the reporter contacted her, but she was unable to comment because of the pending lawsuit. Mayor Wren directed the reporter to speak with the attorney representing the city in the lawsuit, and was later informed that the reporter did not call the attorney. Mayor Wren stated that the truth would prevail. Mayor Wren informed the council and public that a court date had been set for early June, but has been postponed due to the injuries the city’s insurance attorney suffered in a car accident. Jim Beran shared his concern about repairing the brick storm sewers. Mayor Wren stated only the sewers that are in need of repair will be fixed. Jim Beran disagreed with the approval of the City of Riverdale’s Land Use Map. Linda Hupp inquired if the public could be present when the judge heard the case. Mayor Wren stated she believed they could be present. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL AND OTHER OFFICIALS: Mayor Wren presented Jim Beran with a certificate of appreciation. Mayor Wren acknowledged the death of Vern Wegmann. Mr. Wegmann was the Fire Chief for the City of Riverdale from 1966-1987. Mayor Wren shared pictures of the water tower being taken down, and conveyed a committee will need to be developed to make plans for that area. Franklin raised concerns about the condition of the tree next to City Hall. Bids for tree removal will be discussed at the June 6th meeting. Franklin spoke about Scott County emergency response training for Riverdale citizens. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. ____________________ ____________________ Norma Wren, Mayor Theresa Ralfs, City Clerk Storm Water Phase II Program What You Can Do to Help: Try these ideas – Use Nature as a model! From the City of Riverdale May 2006 Hazardous Chemicals: Never pour used oil, paint thinners, or other pollutants into storm drains or onto the ground. Clean up spills quickly. Properly use and store all household chemicals. Take household hazardous waste to a recycling/collection center. Safely dispose of unused or outdated prescription or non-prescription medications, such as pills, capsules, and liquids. Dispose of residential sharps (needles, lancets, syringes) and receive a replacement sharps container at no charge. Exchange a mercury thermometer for a new digital thermometer at no charge. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 Medic EMS Facility LeClaire Road & Highway 61 Eldridge, Iowa Wednesday, May 24 Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds 2815 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa Thursday, May 25 Bettendorf Fire Station Middle Road & Crow Creek Road Bettendorf, Iowa For more information, contact Waste Commission of Scott County at 381-1300. Theresa has open office hours for the public on Wednesday’s from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. feel free to stop in with any questions or concerns and to pick up keys for the community room reservations. Other times, please leave a phone message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you. Fire Department Report for April 18 to May 16, 2006 Calls: 1-Mutual Aid Fire 9- EMS call 1-Public Assistance 1- 10-50 PI State St and Manor 2- Fire Calls Training: Ventilation Training RIT Team Training HazMat Tech Training Extrication Training Training fire in Bettendorf Serve your community- Come and join us! j Look for a schedule of 4th of July activities in the June newsletter. If you would like to volunteer, please call Theresa at City Hall 355-2511. Vehicle Tips: Keep your vehicles tuned up, and repair all leaks. Wash your car on the lawn or on gravel. Use phosphorus-free detergents when washing your cars (windows and siding, too!) Your Council and their committee appointments are as follows: Jack Franklin (359-6612)-Contracted Support Service & Budget Jeff Grindle (359-7676)-Infrastructure & Safety John Ulrich (359-5704)-Mayor Pro Tem/Parks/Budget Dean Halsey (355-2013)-Contracted Support Service & Parks The Council as a whole will work on the Celebration Committee Mayor Norma Wren can be reached at 355-1300. Low Wren is the Zoning Inspector. You may contact Lou at 355-1300. Please contact him regarding any construction projects. Anthony Zemo resigned from his council seat on May 9, 2006. Thank you, Tony, for your service to the City of Riverdale. Yard waste will be picked up weekly from the first week in April thru the last week in November. Yard waste includes, grass clippings, leaves, tree branches and shrubs. Yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags or loose in garbage cans. Brush and branches three (3) inches in diameter or less must be cut into lengths not greater than four (4) feet and bundled and tied. No single unit can weigh more than fifty (50) pounds. PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE All citizens are invited to attend a public meeting to view a video presentation given by Jim Ellis, Project Manager from AMENT, regarding Riverdale’s Phase II Storm Water Management Program on June 6, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. before the regular City Council meeting. General: Walk your dog in areas of vegetation, and bury or flush pet wastes. Clean letter from the street and storm drains in front of your home. Use salt sparingly for snow and ice control. Choose magnesium or calcium chloride alternatives when possible. Report any pollution, illegal dumping, or soil erosion to the Riverdale City Hall (355-2511). In Your Landscape: Stop soil erosion by planing vegetation on all bare areas. Minimize or eliminate the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn. Use phosphorus-free fertilizer when possible. Bag or compost yard wastes. Sweep and collect (don’t wash) fertilizer and grass clippings off driveways and walkways. Aerate your lawn to increase absorption. Create buffers of plants between waterways and hard-surface areas to help filter out pollutants. To Use Rainwater on Site: Minimize use of concrete or asphalt by substituting gravel, paving stones, or turf stones. Direct water from roof drains and gutters to vegetated areas on your property. Install a rain barrel to collect roof runoff. Use it to slowly soak your landscapes. Use trees, shrubs and other deep-rooted plants to hold and use water on your property. Reduce the amount of lawn by adding berms, and flower, herb, native-plant, decorative-grass, vegetable and rain gardens.