ELLIS–In a special meeting Thu., March 24, Ellis city council members discussed revisions to ordinances for contractor licensing and work allowed by property owners.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Minutes March 24, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC PRESENT
Kevin Fox, Jim Honas, Dale Giebler, Charlene Weber, and Bob Younger
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to meet with the Trades Board to discuss amendments to ordinances regarding contractor licensing, work allowed by property owners, and building permit timeframes; also to consider approval of repairs to the pump at the Water Treatment Plant and Well #1.
Public Works: Licenses/Permits
City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed the various City ordinances providing for contractor licensing. Previously, the Trades Board and the Council agreed to remove the “apprenticeship” wording from the various definitions of classes of licenses. Council discussed the various ordinances with the Trades Board members at length and by consensus directed Ms. Raub to make several revisions, including adding testing language to each type of license and adding a reference to the licensure fee in a separate document, thus removing the specific fee from each of the ordinances. Additional revisions were noted and Ms. Raub will update the ordinances for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Public Works: City Code
Council and the Trades Board also discussed the ordinance providing for work allowed by property owners. The only revision suggested was adding a provision for the property owner to compensate individuals who assist in the work of the owner’s property with nominal or “de minimis” gifts only. Currently, the ordinance does not allow for any compensation. Ms. Raub will make the revisions for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Public Works: Licenses/Permits
During the discussion with Federal Emergency Management Agency representative Steve Samuelson, it was noted that certain federal regulations apply to property owners wanting to make substantial improvements to a structure located in the flood plain. Mr. Samuelson noted that any improvements in excess of 50% of the value of the structure must follow FEMA regulations. A property owner would need to complete less than 50% of the value of the structure per year to not have to follow the regulations. The question arose if the year was determined by a calendar year, or one year from the time the building permit was issued. Both Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Attorney Olavee Raub recommended the City define the year as one year from the date of issuance. No action was taken.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the quote for a new bowl assembly to repair the high service pump at the Water Treatment Plant. The cost to repair the pump with a new bowl assembly is $13,697.85. At the Council meeting on March 21st, Mr. Scheuerman presented a quote to repair the bowl assembly at a cost of $10,866.73. After discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the quote from Layne Christensen to repair the high service pump with a new bowl assembly at a cost of $13,697.85, with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Gary Luea stated he would like to see other companies bid as well. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 6-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported the electric motor has gone out in Well #1 and presented two quotes for repair. The pump was replaced in 2012, so Mr. Scheuerman hopes the pump does not need to be replaced as well, but presented cost estimates for a new pump in case the pump is also bad. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to accept the low bid from Layne Christensen not to exceed $6,766.90, with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.