REGULAR MEETING, January 13, 2009.  The regular meeting of the Oxford Junction City Council was held at the Wregie Memorial Library at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Tank called roll call.  Council members present were Bonny, Dobling, Schewe, and Balichek.  Martin was absent.  Staff present was Hansen.  Visitors were Marlene Flory with the Midland Times and Junction for Opportunities, Denny Coon with the Fire Dept and Greg Graver with the Jones County Sheriff’s Dept. entered at 7:40 p.m. 

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve the agenda.  All Ayes.  Martin absent.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve the consent agenda.  All Ayes.  Martin absent.  Motion Carried. 

RECEIPTS:  General $7,423.09; Library $450.00; RUT $3,895.98; Emergency $318,029.36; LOST $3,059.28; Debt Service $238.77; Water $5,109.53; Sewer $9,416.01

     Denny Coon from the Fire Dept reported that they responded to 3 mutual aid fires with Wyoming.  Jones County activated the new siren for the fire on Christmas Day.  Oxford Junction rescue truck and fire station will be able to activate the siren soon.  The fire dept is also in the process of purchasing a timer for the siren with money received from the Bob Fowler Memorial.  The fire dept will reimburse the City for all other siren bills not covered by the grant and extra FEMA funds that where set aside for the purchase and installation.

     Coon also reported that the fire dept is in the process of restoring their 1939 Chevy fire truck.  The motor has been overhauled and it has new tires and brakes.  The body work should be done soon with the exception of a few minor details.

     Mayor Tank reported that the maintenance dept has requested some new water meters.  The ones recently installed are not working properly and would like to switch brands.  The Council suggested asking other towns around us if they would like to order meters together and hopefully get a bulk discount.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Dobling to buy some new meters.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Mayor Tank was also concerned about the cost and the amount of sand/salt mix the City has gone through already this year.

     The maintenance dept has changed the oil and filter on the backhoe and got it running.

     Mayor Tank reported that the landfill is still trying to collect from several delinquent customers.

     Mayor Tank reported that Ricklef’s Excavating has completed work on the Lagoon Rd.  When the snow melts Tank will schedule a walk through of the work with MSA and Ricklef’s.

     Connolly Construction and the sewer liner warranty company will not agree to fix the holes in the liner because of a clause about animals.  MSA suggested the City not sign the warranty and contact a lawyer.

     IIW Engineering will be setting up a meeting and walk through for the curb & gutter and water main relocation projects as soon as the weather allows.

    Librarian Angela Shirley reported that the Wregie Memorial Library has applied for an endowment grant to replace the remaining window upstairs.

     Marlene Flory with the Junction for Opportunities reported that there was only one application for flood assistance.  Therefore the organization took it upon themselves to distribute the money to four families, one individual and one business.  

     Moved by Dobling seconded by Schewe to approve the first reading of Title VI, Chapter 5 Billing Charges Ordinance Amendment.  Roll Call Vote.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Schewe seconded by Balichek to waive the second and third readings of Title VI, Chapter 5 Billing Charges Ordinance Amendment.  Roll Call Vote.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Deputy Greg Graver of the Jones County Sheriff’s Dept. reported that they tagged eleven cars in town that had been plowed around.  They were able to make contact with ten of the owners.  Graver also reported that the investigation into the numerous break-ins in town is being actively investigated and is going very well.

     Moved by Dobling seconded by Bonny to renew three CD’s at Citizens State Bank for an 11 month period.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried. 

     Discussion was held on when to adjust water bills when tenants leave the water running to avoid freezing pipes.  It was decided that this will be on an individual basis only and will only be adjusted when it is because the City’s portion freezes up.  It is the homeowners responsibility to insulate properly to avoid freezing up.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to adjust water bill at 314 3^rd Ave N because of City portion of pipes freezing up in the past.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Discussion was held on the Wapsi Park Board buying a new mower.  The City will purchase the mower so they can get the discount and the park board will reimburse the City.  The park will also use the City’s diesel barrel and reimburse the City for what they use.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to buy mower for Wapsi Park Board.   All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Balichek seconded by Bonny to let the Wapsi Park use the City’s diesel barrel.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Mayor Tank wants to apply to an Endowment Grant to add on to City Hall.  The Council thinks that there are more important thing to spend money on at this time.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to release a portion of the mortgage on the property located at 417 1^st Ave N.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Balichek seconded by Bonny to approve the Midland Times as the official newspaper for the year 2009.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve funding for the Jones County Tourism Association for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried. 

     It was decided to have a closed budget session on Tues Jan. 20, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wregie Memorial Library.

     Moved by Dobling seconded by Balichek to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.  All Ayes.  Martin Absent.  Motion Carried.

______________________                                             Attest: _____________________

Merle Tank, Mayor                                                                          Stacia Hansen, City Clerk

These minutes are not official minutes until approved by the City Council.