City of Libertyville, Iowa
Regular Council Meeting
Meeting Minutes
June 9, 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 Linda Dougherty, Bev Nelson and others. City Attorney Paul Miller joined the meeting electronically as did Matthew Bowen with Tilson Technology Management Inc.
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 Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Roulet motioned to approve. Second by Ms. Miller. All ayes. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FIRE CHIEF REPORT: Fire Chief report was reviewed and discussed.
MAINTENANCE REPORT: Maintenance Report was reviewed and discussed. Discussion on making lagoon grounds available for hay mowing. Motion by Mr. Roulet to approve. Second by Ms. Miller. All ayes. Motion passed.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE REPORT: None.
LIBERTYVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE/COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE: None
PERMITS – Liquor License, Pecks Pub: Motion by Ms. Miller to approve. Second by Mr. Guffey. All ayes. Motion passed.
Cigarette Permit – Gas & Goodies: Motion by Mr. Atwood to approve. Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM: City residents requested approval on location of a fence. Following discussion Council Members asked for a permit application to be completed and presented with additional paperwork at the July City Council meeting.
Ms. Nelson and Ms. Dougherty requested city funds for city beautification project. Following discussion, Motion by Mr. Snyder to approve $400 for project. Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes. Motion passed.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Libertyville Childcare Building Update – Due to recent rains there is a water issue in the gym.
Property at 308 Rock Island Street Update – City Attorney updated Council. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, court is currently not in session. Clean up to continue. Attorney will follow up.
Ordinance addressing lot lines, setbacks, buildings, etc. – Council Members were updated on progress of the ordinance. Attorney Miller suggested a proposed ordinance be presented at the July meeting for discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 457-2020 – Resolution Setting the Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Lease Amendment of Public Property at 500 North Main Street, Libertyville, Iowa to GSS Inc – Motion by Ms. Miller to set the time and place for a public hearing as Libertyville Community Center July 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Second by Mr. Guffey. All ayes. Motion passed.
Nuisance Hearings – Nuisance letters sent by City Attorney were reviewed and progress updates given. Resident requesting a hearing was present to update council and set a timeline for abatement of nuisance.
Proposal City Property – Jefferson Street– Specifics of current proposal were discussed and changes will be made.
Resolution 458-2020 – Resolution Setting the Time and Place for a Public Hearing on Repurposing City property located at 122 Jefferson Street – Following discussion Motion by Mr. Guffey to set the time and place for a public hearing as Libertyville Community Center June 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Second by Mr. Roulet. Roll call vote:
Ayes: Atwood, Guffey, Miller, Roulet.
Nays: None
Abstain: Snyder
Motion passed.
Construction Permit –See Public Forum.
Approve Employee Raises FY20/21 – Motion by Ms. Miller to approve. Second by Mr. Guffey. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Atwood, Guffey, Miller, Roulet, Snyder
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. with a Motion by Mr. Snyder. Second by Mr. Guffey. All Ayes. Motion passed.
__________________________
Rodney A. Nelson, Mayor
Attest: Karen Blakley, City Clerk
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.