REGULAR MEETING:  September 11, 2012.  The regular meeting of the Oxford Junction City Council was held at the Wregie Memorial Library at 7:00 pm.  Mayor Tank called roll.  Council present were Kathy Chase, Maddie Klemme, Betsy Bonny and Nick Balichek.  Larry Ewing was absent.  Staff present was Stacia Hansen and Charlie Wiese.  Visitors were Nicole Schueller-Allied Waste, Maggie Burger-Speer Financial, Sheri Rice-USDA, Marc Ruden-IIW Engineers, Denny Coon-Fire Chief, Jeff Swisher-Jones County Deputy, Dave DeWine-Wapsi Tap, and Marlene Flory-JFO & Midland Times.

LARRY EWING IS ABSENT FOR ALL MOTIONS

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

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

RECEIPTS:  General $4,164.87; Library $615.26; RUT $4,794.01; Employee Benefits $15.96; Emergency $1.43; LOST $6,054.95; Debt Service $39.80; Capital Projects $3,464.00; Water $6,760.06; Sewer $3,483.20; WWFT $6,684.28

     Nicole Schuller with Allied Waste presented the council with a price list for carts for the next 5 years.  The rate would not increase until July 2013 and the total rate increase over the next 5 years would be a total of $1.37.  The council will review these rates and make a decision at the next meeting.

     Jones County Deputy Jeff Swisher told the Council that they are rotating the speed machine throughout the towns in Jones County.  Council is encouraged to let them know where to place it when it comes to town.  The Council also had concerns about the large number of dogs running lose in town.  Swisher will let the dog catcher know.

     Maggie Burger with Speer Financial reviewed the rate schedule for the proposed general obligation loan for the Curb & Gutter and refinancing of the fire truck loan.  The bid opening date is set for Oct 9^th at 11 am at City Hall.  That evening at the meeting we will hold the public hearing and award the bid.  The council will hold a special meeting on Sept 27^th at 7 pm to approve the disclosure document that Speer will be putting together about our City.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve Resolution 2012-18 to fix Oct 9^th at 7 pm as the date for the public hearing on the general obligation refunding loan agreement.  Roll Call Vote.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Sheri Rice from the USDA presented the Council with the letter of conditions for funding of the Fire Dept Roof.  This is not a grant approval but the next step towards getting the money.  The conditions are good for 1 year and we should know within 6 days whether we receive the funding.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to have the mayor sign the letter of intent to meet conditions of the USDA Grant.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Discussion was held on digging the new well so close to our existing well.  Marc Ruden from IIW stated that Shawver Well Drilling was confident that the existing well is shallow in the sand and not deep enough to be damaged by the drilling.  Talk of pulling the pump and using a camera to ensure we do not damage the existing well was also discussed.  If we do this we would have to use well number 3 and that would mean the DNR would need to be contacted so we can put out a notice of high nitrates.  The option of drilling just using a cable tool rig instead of using water and air until we are past the existing well was also discussed.  The council wants to get more opinions from other well drilling experts before we continue this project.

     Moved by Klemme seconded by Balichek to put the project on hold until we can get some other opinions on where and how deep this well needs to be.  Roll Call Vote.  Klemme, Bonny, Balichek Ayes.  Chase Abstain.  Ewing Absent.  Motion Carried.

     Fire Chief Denny Coon reported they responded to 3 calls last month.  They are planning their pancake breakfast for October 7^th.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to send both maintenance men to a Winter Maint. Operator Workshop in Dubuque on Oct 12^th.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Mayor Tank addressed the Council about concerns of the City truck being used for personal business.  The Council wants to come up with some kind of written policy about this.  It will be discussed at the next meeting.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve the City Clerk to attend a DataTech user group meeting in Waverly on Oct 23^rd.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Marlene Flory with the Junction for Opportunities stated that they served at the Senior Center’s Anniversary party.  They will not have a Halloween party this year because it is in the middle of the week.  They will have bags and some kind of “glow” item for the kids.

     Discussion was held concerning the outdoor furnace ordinance.  We will contact the attorney about the legality of some issues before we make an ordinance. 

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve the service agreement with ECICOG to hire the inspector to inspect the 3 houses that the Council chose at the last meeting.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     The City will also make a long term plan to continue with house inspections when these three are completely taken care of.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve the liquor license renewal for Schakey’s Place.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to approve a new liquor license for Wapsi Tap with outdoor service.  All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

     Discussion was held about putting “children at play” signs on Broadway.  The Council felt that if we put them there that there would be many other people wanting them on their streets also.

     Kathy Chase made comments that she felt the Council (herself included) should make more of an effort to be informed about thing before they are brought up at meetings.  She also felt they should do what the mayor asks of them.  As an example, the mayor asked the Council to look at sidewalks and report back as to which ones were in need of replacement and no one did this.  It was agreed that the Council needs to be more involved and take their jobs a little more seriously.

     Moved by Bonny seconded by Balichek to adjourn at 9:06 pm.

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Merle Tank, Mayor                                                         Attest:  Stacia Hansen, City Clerk

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