City of Libertyville, Iowa

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting Minutes

August 10, 2021

 

The regular meeting of the Libertyville City Council was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Mayor Rodney Nelson at the Libertyville Community Center.  Council members in attendance   were Tom Atwood, Cody Guffey, Rebecca Miller and Scott Roulet. Council Member Kevin Snyder was excused.  Also present were Dan Nystrom/Assistant Fire Chief, Paul Miller/City Attorney, Jennifer Castle/City Maintenance Manager, Karen Blakley/City Clerk, Miranda Cassens, Brett Lyons, Bev Nelson, Jim Warner and members of the public. 

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. Guffey motioned to approve the agenda.  Second by Mr. Roulet. All ayes.  Motion passed.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Ms. Miller motioned to approve.  Second by Mr. Roulet.  All ayes.  Motion passed.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

FIRE CHIEF REPORT:  Fire Chief report was reviewed and discussed. 

MAINTENANCE REPORT:  Maintenance Report was reviewed and discussed.  Motion by    Mr. Guffey to approve $300.00 for mulch for City Park.  Second by Mr. Atwood.  All ayes.  Motion passed.  Park & Recreation Committee recommendation for larger mulch project tabled until budget meeting.  Resident request for light at park tabled.

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE REPORT:  None.

LIBERTYVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE/COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE:  None.

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PERMITS – None.

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PUBLIC FORUM:  Concern was expressed regarding drainage on a private property.  Property owner to be contacted.

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MAYOR/COUNCIL/ATTORNEY COMMENTS:  None.

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CONTINUED BUSINESS:

Property at 308 Rock Island Street Update – Hearing scheduled within the month.

Ordinance addressing lot lines, setbacks, buildings, etc. – Tabled.

Review New Committees/Reports – Committees to continue and report monthly on progress.

Tim Tedrow/Subdivision – Discussion on submitted plat.  City Ordinance was reviewed.  Motion by Ms. Miller to approve name of Williams Circle for proposed street in subdivision.  Second by Mr. Guffey.  All ayes.  Motion passed. 

Summer Library Program – Review of program.

Driveway/Drainage Resident – Update by Maintenance Manager.  Motion by Mr. Atwood to approve Randy Russell’s bid.  Second by Mr. Guffey.  All ayes.  Motion passed.  Request by resident to move neighboring property’s meter pit during project.  Request approved with notation – at resident’s expense.

BES Water Solutions Follow-up – Update by Maintenance Manager.

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NEW BUSINESS:

Presentation – Electronic Sign – Representatives from Daktronics and Chestnutt Signs were present with a demonstration and presentation regarding an electronic sign.  Information to be reviewed.  Tabled.

Appoint BuyIT representative – BuyIT program was reviewed and decision made not to participate.

ARP Funds – Project Suggestions – Tabled until funds are received.

Construction Permit/Tax Abatement Approval– Tabled pending further information.

Resolution 475-2021 – Resolution Approving the Application(s) Submitted for Libertyville Urban Revitalization Plan – Tabled.  Applicant will return with more information.

Nuisance Update– None.

SRF Funding – Initial paperwork reviewed.  Final paperwork will be signed and submitted.  Motion to approve by Mr. Guffey.  Second by Mr. Roulet.  Roll call vote.

Ayes – Atwood, Guffey, Miller, Roulet

Nays – None

Absent – Snyder

Motion passed.

Subdivision Plat Approval – Following discussion, Motion by Mr. Roulet to accept initial preliminary plat pending requested changes.  Second by Ms. Miller.  All ayes.  Motion passed.

US Cellular Tower Project Update – No definite end date at this time.  Maintenance Manager mentioned items needing attention before project is complete.

Maintenance Manager – 90-day review/recommendations – Possible Closed Session – Maintenance Manager declined closed session.  Discussion in regard to meeting held with Personnel Committee and their recommendations.  Council member reviewed agreement with Maintenance Manager when hired.  Maintenance Manager requested increase in hourly rate and hours - $16.00 per hour and 40 hours per week.  Discussion followed between City Attorney, Maintenance Manager, Council and public present.  Discussion continued with Motion by          Ms. Miller to approve $16.00 per hour with increase in hours to 40 per week.  Second by      Mr. Roulet.  Roll call vote.

Ayes – Atwood, Guffey, Miller, Roulet.

Nays – None

Absent – Snyder

Motion passed.

Ms. Miller amended her motion to include effective date of August 17, 2021.

Use of City Property/Set a date for a Public Hearing regarding sale of City property – Tabled.

Resolution 476-2021 – Resolution Approving Annual Street Report – Motion by Mr. Atwood to approve.  Second by Mr. Guffey.  All ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. with a Motion by Mr. Roulet.  Second by Ms. Miller.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

                                                                                   

                                                                                                __________________________

Rodney A. Nelson, Mayor                        

 

                                               

Attest:  Karen Blakley, City Clerk

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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.