City of Libertyville, Iowa
Regular Council Meeting
Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2020
The regular meeting of the Libertyville City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Rodney Nelson at the Libertyville Community Center. Council members in attendance were Tom Atwood, Cody Guffey, Rebecca Miller, Scott Roulet and Kevin Snyder. Also present were Gerrad Goodrich/Fire Chief, Mitch Carr/Maintenance Manager and Karen Blakley/City Clerk. Members of the public present were Jane Ragen and Matt Graham. City Attorney Paul Miller joined the meeting electronically.
In order to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this meeting of the Libertyville City Council was available electronically. Chapter 21.8 of the Iowa Code does permit an electronic meeting where members participate remotely when an in-person meeting is impossible or impractical, which is certainly true during this crisis. On March 19, 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency which included a suspension of Iowa laws that would prevent the use of electronic meetings or the limitation on the number of people present at an in-person meeting site. The agenda and the City’s social media had a message posted more than 24 hours in advance to give instructions on how others could participate in the meeting.
APPROVE OR AMEND AGENDA: Mr. Atwood motioned to approve the agenda. Second by Ms. Miller. All ayes. Motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Roulet motioned to approve. Second by Mr. Snyder. All ayes. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FIRE CHIEF REPORT: Fire Chief report was reviewed and discussed.
MAINTENANCE REPORT: Maintenance Report was reviewed and discussed.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE REPORT: None.
LIBERTYVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE/COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE: None
PERMITS – Liquor License, The Dew Drop: Motion by Mr. Snyder to approve. Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM: None.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Libertyville Childcare Building Update – See New Business.
Property at 308 Rock Island Street Update – City Attorney updated Council. Clean up to continue. Attorney will follow up.
Review Insurance Costs – Costs and policy previously reviewed.
Resident Vehicles Sales Lot – To be pursued following current government restrictions.
Ordinance addressing lot lines, setbacks, buildings, etc. – Tabled
Summer Library Program – Due to current social restrictions, tabled to 2021.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 455-2020 – Resolution of Intent to Sell Real Estate & Set Public Hearing on Proposal – Following discussion, Resolution failed due to lack of motion.
Proposal/Lease Antenna on Water Tower – Representatives from GSS Inc were present in person and via phone to answer questions. Motion by Mr. Snyder to approve proposal with changes to draft lease and move forward with project. Second by Mr. Atwood. Roll Call Vote.
Ayes: Atwood, Guffey, Miller, Roulet, Snyder.
Nays: None
Motion passed.
City Land North Main – Set Public Hearing Date – Remove from agenda.
Construction Permit – Following discussion, City Clerk will ask for clarification. Tabled.
Maplewood Circle – Following discussion on the grassy circle on Maplewood Circle, Maintenance Manager will fill with rock.
Nuisances – Nuisances in city were discussed. City Attorney will send letters.
Tax Abatement Application(s) – Application was reviewed. Motion by Ms. Miller to approve. Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
Resolution 456-2020 – Resolution to Approve Tax Abatement Applications – Motion by Ms. Miller to approve. Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. with a Motion by Mr. Atwood. Second by Mr. Roulet. All Ayes. Motion passed.
__________________________
Rodney A. Nelson, Mayor
Attest: Karen Blakley, City Clerk
_
City Council
The City Council consists of five City Council members elected at large, elected for terms of four years staggered.
Libertyville City Ordinance 2-1-3
Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.4
Code of Iowa, Sec.376.2
Mayor
The Mayor is elected for a term of two years.
Libertyville City Ordinance 2-1-5
Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.4
Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.2
Join City Council
Please contact City Hall or the County Auditor's office for more information if you are interested in becoming Mayor or a Council member. Candidates must complete an Affidavit of Candidacy and submit a petition signed by city residents.
Libertyville's next city election will be in 2019.
Libertyville History
On the west side of Main Street was a row of one-story buildings. One was a drugstore owned by Icabod Warner, next a shoemaker's shop owned by a Mr. Jigaman, another small building and then the Odd Fellows Hall.
In 1879 there were three general stores which kept stocks of drugs, drygoods, and groceries, a lumber yard, grain elevator, a hotel, a wagon and carriage establishment, a harness shop, two shoe shops, a barber shop, a cabinet shop, a blacksmith shop, a meat market and a saloon.
In 1858 or 1859 th C.R. & P. railroad was constructed through Libertyville. Previous to that everything was hauled by ox or horse-drawn wagons from Keokuk or Burlington where freight was shipped by boat up the Mississippi River.
Notes from - 'A Stroll Back', a history of Libertyville, Iowa.