Minutes-6/12/2002

Attorney Greenleaf has drawn up a proposed Ordinance that would allow for tax-abatement districts within the city. This ordinance will be placed on the next meeting agenda. Brett Mehmen said he would like to trade the JD tractor for a backhoe. He has been checking into easier to use meter reading equipment. One system would cost approximately $22,000 the first year and about $14,000 each year thereafter, and would not include reading the meters. The guys would have touch meter reading on new meters, about 150 meters still need to be converted to be used this way. Last month about 20 meters were not read. This would add about $2.50/month to each billing. Engineer Hart said that water and sewer rates could not be raised yet, Tiffin currently has one of the highest rates in the area. Brett suggested that the city continue to upgrade about a dozen meters each month, working to get trouble meters out. Mike Hart said that in response to a break and repair in the city water and sewer line work must be covered by the property owner to the respective main under ordinance No ---69. Brian Detert reported that he thought the house north of the Fire Station could come down at no cost with volunteer help. Animals are getting in an out through openings. Bartels thought Walls should be contacted prior to any demolition to give football students an opportunity to clear the house of any items. Detert also reported that all or much of the city equipment is sitting outside the storage shed, they could really us additional storage space. The clerk reported that all programs for the city have been spent beyond budget levels. The city has realized spending for regular items around $200,000 higher this year than last. The clerk advised the council that spending would have to be watched more closely in the upcoming year, draw downs will carry the city for this year, but the spending will have to be slowed to avoid problems. Community Protection overspent by about $4,000 and does not include second half year expenditures for fire protection. Human Development overspent by about $10,000. Home and Community Program overspent by $40,000 in Streets. Policy and Administration overspent by $70,000. Road Use overspent by about $10,000 Sewer budget exceeded by $70,000 and Water budget exceeded by about $60,000. Of the excess spending, $40,000 is attributed to the city's SRF Water Project for which no loans have yet been received. About $40,000 is attributed to costs incurred with the State of Iowa Department of Transportation Sewer Project that waits for reimbursement of engineering and legal fees. Water and Sewer funds are paying for expenses, however the expenditures for both systems were much higher this year. The budget amendment of March increased budget figures approximately $70,000 for expenditures, this additional budget amendment adds about another $100,000 for expenses. Original budget included