Minutes-3 /10/1976

During the User Forum held before the regular Council meeting, the Council discussed topics of mutual concern between the City and the Bear Creek Schools. Supt. Biles and High School Principal Rowe expressed their concern with traffic violators and vandalism of school property. Council shared the same concern about City property, but advised that the enforcement of the law is under the jurisdiction of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. Clarification was made on ownership and/or responsibility of certain problem areas: The high school parking lot and driveways are school property not city-owned. The adjacent Sadler Addition has a gravelled area on private property which is access for the apartment dwellers and is not a public throughway. It is illegal to enter Highway #6 from this property, according to information obtained from the Iowa State Highway Commission. The portion of Third St. West was built by the City to give access to and from the high school parking lot for motor vehicles and pedestrians. It is city-owned and maintained. It was agreed that the walkway, designated by yellow cement barriers and sign is helping to provide a safe access to school property for school children. Future consideration will be given to installing a sidewalk if the school decides to install a sidewalk on school property to join the City's. Committee Reports Streets- Several pot holes will be repaired. Tom Wittman will contact Tom Morgan to evaluate and recommend needs for a street program. Roger Formanek opened a discussion on street ownership. Atty. Neuzil advised that street right-of-ways can be dedicated by owners to the City. The City decides whether to accept or not. If the City accepts, it is then responsible for building and maintaining the street. Recreation- Janis Stratton is to check on the possibility of a Kite Flying Contest to be held in April or May. She will report later on the purchase of a merry-go-round for the City Park. Environment- Stratton reported that the animal innoculation program will be held in April. The Mayor has ordered forms and tags. The Clerk will be advised if a flyer is to be mailed with the April 1st utility bills. Atty. Neuzil reported on the program used by North Liberty, Iowa for controlling animals which are running at large. It was suggested that if the City is going to plant trees this year on City property that it should be done soon. Sanitation- A report was read from the Dept. of Environmental Quality. Hawkeye Engineering will be contacted to investigate and report to Council concerning the DEQ recommendations that the effluent ponds be sealed, that the main sewer plant be re-seeded and necessity of purchasing an emergency electrical system for the sewer plant. The Mayor will write to DEQ outlining the steps the City has taken in these areas. Atty. Neuzil will write to Hawkeye Engineering requesting that they investigate this matter and respond to Council. The Clerk will send a copy of the DEQ report to Atty. Neuzil. Water- Roger Janssen will get a plot drawn to submit to the C.R.I.P. Railroad with a request for a lease on a well. The Mayor reported that tentative costs for re-activating this well. Costs could vary from $1875.00 to $2400.00 for bringing the water to the surface. Figures are not available for bringing the water to the water pump station.