Minutes for August 11, 2020

STATEMENT OF COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

August 11th, 2020

The Ogden City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 11th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. electronically via conference call at the following phone number: 978-990-5000, access code 413743 and was available to the public to attend in person. This meeting was conducted electronically due to federal and state government recommendations in response to COVID-19 pandemic conditions, pursuant to Governor Reynolds’ Proclamation of Disaster Emergency dated March 19, 2020. Mayor Denny Good presided. Members present were Councilman Jason Weber, Councilman David Ohlson, Councilman Brian Reimers, Councilwoman Lori Anderson and Councilwoman Margaret Liston. City staff present were City Administrator Emily Clausen, City Clerk Melanie Olesen, Police Chief Mick Bailey, Library Director Lori Reutter and City Attorney Lee Johnson. Additional attendees present were 1 guest.

Reimers made a motion, Liston seconded to approve the agenda as presented.

Ayes: All Present, Motion Carried.

Department reports were presented. Library Director Lori Reutter informed the council that the library is now open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with social distancing and masks required. Curbside service is still available as well. Police Chief Mick Bailey reported the past few days have been very hectic. The radio systems took a hit in the storm and were down. Boone County received over 300 calls after the storm. City Clerk Melanie Olesen has been fielding lots of calls on storm debris and clean up. The City will be removing tree branches from the curbside and hauling to Lincoln Prairie Park. Individuals can bring branches to the park themselves as well. This is just a temporary location due to the recent storm. City Administrator reported two projects will begin with funding from the L.A. Good Trust at the cemetery and community center.

Mayor Good asked if there were any questions or items to be removed from the Consent Agenda. There are no peddler/solicitor permits, resolutions, board or commission appointments at this time.

Anderson made a motion, Liston seconded to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1) Minutes of Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 regular meeting. 2) Treasurer’s Report for July 2020. 3) Claims List from July 11th through August 7th, 2020. 4) Building permits for July 2020. 5) Annual Debt Obligations Report.

Ayes: All Present, Motion Carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

BEGINNING BALANCE: 2,406,240.86

ENDING BALANCE:   2,420,818.59

CLAIMS LIST:

         PAID CLAIMS:                                                              

        UNPAID CLAIMS

Six permits were presented for review. Clinton Mantz for a privacy fence at 506 W. Sycamore Street, Brenda Mullins for a split rail fence at 108 W. Division Street, Michael Ahrens for an attached lean-to at 225 SE 4th Street, Johnson & Sons for an attached garage at 309 E. Division Street, Jonathan Namovicz for a 14×16 deck with roof at 623 W. Mulberry Street and Dylon Ysker for a 60×60 garage at 201 SW 5th Street.

Pay Request and Change Order for the Beaver Creek Watershed Improvements Project was tabled until September meeting.

Mayor’s Comments. Mayor Good thanked everyone for their help with clean up. OMU, fire, police and city employees have been working hard responding to calls and working to clear streets and restore power to the residents of Ogden. It is so awesome to see neighbors helping neighbors and working together for our small town. Mayor Good encouraged council and everyone to help when and where they can.

Mayor Good declared the City of Ogden a state of emergency authorized under Iowa State Statute and will execute the expenditure of emergency funds from all available sources, the invoking of mutual aid agreements and applying to the State of Iowa for assistance due to the severe thunderstorm that produced damaging straight line winds that occurred on Monday, August 10th, 2020 causing severe damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service and endangerments of health and safety of the citizens of Ogden within the disaster area. Any information will be collected and shared with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with our local Boone County Emergency Management.

Council Member’s Comments. Brian Reimers asked about some areas that could possibly be available for trees. After much discussion the council felt Lincoln Prairie Park was the best place for now. Only brush and limbs from the recent storms can be dropped off at the park and city employees will be picking up from curbside. This is just a temporary location due to the recent storms. Margaret Liston updated council on the community garden. Karen Dannen is a master gardener and has been putting in hours working at the garden along with help from Rosie Wurpts. Margaret received a very nice message from an individual that is so thankful for the vegetables.  There has been some progress being made on the grocery store that is not yet available to be released to the public. There was some question regarding damage at a downtown business, owner is aware. Dave Ohlson asked about the veterans’ memorial fund and project that was started with Paul Hagen at the cemetery. Emily Clausen stated that it is still in the works and they are looking for individuals who would like to help with the project. Fence permit issues were discussed briefly.

Public Comment. Dave Huntley is the new American Legion post commander and they will be meeting and discussing the veterans memorial project.

Motion by Ohlson, second by Liston to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.

Ayes: All Present, Motion Carried.

Denny Good, Mayor

Attest: Melanie Olesen, City Clerk

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