Minutes-07/03/1963

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, July 3, 1963, Tiffin, Iowa Present: Wayne Stratton, Bill Verry, Ted Spivey, Glenn Potter, Bob Svatos Absent: None The meeting was called to order by Mayor O'Toole. The minutes of the last regular meeting and the special meeting were read and approved. OLD BUSINESS: Sewer. Mr. Powers has indicated that the preliminary survey will be submitted to the Council by July 27. The mayor reported the answers obtained from Mr. Shay in Des Moines: The town can condemn land for a lagoon if it cannot be procured in any other way, even though it is outside the city limits. Six acres is about what we would have to minimally figure for. The town can technically qualify for aid in the actual sewer construction, but would not have very high priority on the basis of dilution by the time Clear Creek reaches the Iowa River. However, Federal money has not been appropriated for this fiscal year, and Mr. Shay suggested that the town go ahead with the sewer system and when we get to the final engineering stage then request information from the State about chances of obtaining aid. You can't let out contracts until you find out one way or the other about the aid, if you wish to qualify. This aid would be 30% of the cost of the main trunk sewer after the lateral to the lagoon and from the lagoon to the outflow, and the construction of the lagoon but not the purchase of land. Dutch Elm Disease. The State Code declares a tree with Dutch Elm Disease a nuisance, and the owner has to remove it at his own expense, and if it is not down within a reasonable time limit, the town or state can have it removed at the property owner's expense. Bob Svatos introduced the following resolution: "In recognition of the hazards of Dutch Elm Disease, and in compliance with the State law of Iowa which declares trees having Dutch Elm Disease to be a nuisance, the Town Council of Tiffin, in compliance and further obligation of local Ordinance No. 23, declares the responsibility for care of elm trees in the following category: trees planted between the outer line of sidewalk and curb where curbline is established, and where curb is not established, on a line ten feet from the property line to be under the care and jurisdiction of the Town. Trees residing on private property not within the above jurisdiction to be the responsibility of said property owners. Be it resolved that trees designated as having Dutch Elm Disease be removed from private and town property within a period of ten days from notification, unless appeal is made. Such trees to be removed at ground level and wood to be destroyed by burning outside of town limits or spraying by insecticides in manner prescribed by the local Board of Health. Be it further resolved that compliance with this notification of removal be within a ten-day period; otherwise, the removal of such trees be undertaken by town authorities and the cost be attached to property taxes. The diagnosis of Dutch Elm Disease shall be considered as made either by opinion of professional forester or by laboratory culture." Resolution was unanimously carried.