West Concord City Council Meeting
December 19, 2024
7:00 PM
Meeting at the City of West Concords Bell Tower Center
PRESENT: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen and Ripley.
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Administrator/Clerk Paula Even Trenda, Maintenance Supervisor Keith Clemmer, Police Chief Shannon Boerner, Fire Chief Chad Finne
Regular Meeting began at 7:00 PM
APPROVAL OF AGENDA;
MOTION: Motion to approve the agenda as presented
Consent Agenda
A. Approve of Council Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2024, 2024
B. Approval of Payment of Claims: November 14 – December 13, 2024: $59,383.83
MOTION: Motion to approve Consent Agenda as presented.
Motion made by Councilmember Ripley, seconded by Councilmember Koeckeritz
Ayes: Mayor McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen and Ripley
Nays: None Motion passed
PUBLIC COMMENT -
No Public Comment
CITY BUSINESS
A: Resolution 24-58: Approve Tax Levy and 2025 Budget
Jeanne Vogt from Ehler’s was present to discuss the tax levy, long range financial plan, and utility rate study. The Truth in Taxation Meeting was held prior to the City Council Meeting. Details can be found in the council packet, available at City Hall and minutes from the special meeting. Levy is a 6.1% increase over 2024 and Water rates are going up by 10%. This increase is due to water consumption/revenue being lower than anticipated. Council will do a one-time transfer of $50,000 from storm water fund to water fund to keep increases lower. Sewer and Storm Sewer rates will remain the same. Jeanne gave a brief history on why rates are high which is because the water fund was being supported by the city. A G.O. Bond was issued in 2017 and the goal was to get the water fund to be able to stand on its own. Water fund should have 50% of its yearly operating expenses and a 100% of debt service as fund balance. The reason is that if something catastrophic happens, water/utilities can still operate for 6 months while everything else is getting brought back online.
MOTION: Resolution 24-58: Approve Tax Levy/2025 City Budget
Motion made by Councilmember Koeckeritz. Second by Councilmember Nielsen.
Ayes: Mayor McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckertiz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: None Motion passed
B. Resolution 24-59: Approve 2025 Fee Schedule
After all departments reviewed proposed fees presented in November, the council was presented with a final version. The 2025 Fee Schedule was approved with the addition of the water rates from the study presented by Ehler’s.
MOTION: Resolution 24-59: Adopt 2025 Fee Schedule
Motion made by Councilmember Nielsen. Second by Councilmember Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: None Motion passed
C. Resolution 24-61: Adopt Jake Break Ordinance
The Police Chief requested we add an ordinance to prohibit large vehicles from using their jake breaks when slowing down in town. The new ordinance will take effect January 1, 2025 and signs will be ordered and placed along Highway 56 on both north and south side of the city.
MOTION: Resolution 24-61: Adopt Jake Break Ordinance
Motion made by Councilmember Ripley. Second by Councilmember Nielsen.
Ayes: Mayor McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: None Motion passed
D. Resolution 24-62: Approve hiring of two additional part-time officers, Kimberly Parta and David Kunz.
The police chief conducted background checks and was awaiting a few items before he would begin training officers. The additional part-time officers will allow for more coverage on weekends and holidays.
MOTION: Resolution 24-62: Approval of Hiring Kimberly Parta and David Kunz
Motion made by Councilmember Nielsen. Second by Councilmember Ripley.
Ayes: Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: None Motion passed
E. Resolution 24-63: Hiring of Ambulance Director Adam La Plount
Adam La Plount accepted our offer of full-time employment as the new Ambulance Director. This paid position will work the Fire and Ambulance Department to increase volunteers, engage in with the community, and bring stability to EMS.
MOTION: Resolution 24-63: Approval of Hiring Adam La Plount
Motion made by Councilmember Nielsen. Second by Councilmember Koeckeritz.
Ayes: Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: Motion passed
Adam took a few minutes to introduce himself and his background for community members present.
F. Resolution 24-64: Deferment of Special Assessment from 2024A for PID 26.10034.10
Local Resident requested deferment for the special assessment from the 2024 street reconstruction project. Residents met the requirements for deferment per city code.
MOTION: Resolution 24-64: Approval of Special Assessment Deferment
Motion made by Councilmember Koeckeritz. Second by Councilmember Ripley.
Ayes: Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen, and Ripley
Nays: Motion passed
REPORT OF OFFICERS
ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK REPORT:
The Historical Society donated $2,294.99 for November gambling rents for the Municipal.
Included was a YTD Financial Report for all funds with 2025 budget. Nothing out of the ordinary. Things seem to be steady.
YTD Municipal On/Off Sale Financial Report with 2025 Budget. Muni had great sales for all of 2024. Labor and inventory/resale were higher than I would like to see. Personnel had a meeting and performance review with Charlie Phillips. During this meeting, we decided to expand hours at the Muni, move Charlie to hourly (same 40 hrs/week and benefits), and will be launching new POS systems that will make inventory more accurate, as well as allow for a cash discount price and credit card preauthorization for anyone looking to run a bar tab.
People’s Service has been communicating better. The president, Chad Meyer, has agreed to purchase a new pump for well house #2, that has been down since last winter.
LIBRARIAN REPORT:
Heather Fredericks was not present. Her update is attached to council packets. She used donations to purchase 8 “adult” sized matching chairs and have reduced hours during the holidays.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:
Maintenance Supervisor Keith Clammer presented his report. Doing carpet cleaning on January 17. Starting at Bell Tower and then City Hall. He presented an update on the EAB Grant. Going into 2025, we took a hit on matching cash in 2024. We need to spend $19,000 next year and will be reimbursed from state. We purchased 13 different species and currently have 18 different species. Had tree pruning event in September and all reports have been submitted. Will need to provide $2000-$3000 over the next few years for tree maintenance.
PEOPLESERVICE REPORT:
Chris Sanders was not available but submitted his report. Required meeting readings, water sample pulls, etc. have all been included. Water tower inspection was done via drone this week and we hope to be able to get the report in January. We have an included maintenance amount in our Peoples Service contract. We are over budget on this and found out that the well tower #2 door, electrical, plumbing that we did not pay for was billed to People’s Service and they, in turn billed to our maintenance contract. Our maintenance budget is over budget and so we are working with Chad to get the plumbing and electrical for new pump covered by them.
POLICE CHIEF:
Police Chief Boerner provided monthly call log to council.
Interagency agreement is standard. Nothing new in it. No Through Traffic signs are helping to reduce traffic through alley/lot.
Received a grant for National Night Out from Police Chiefs Association for $2500.
Officer Myrom was hit by a car who couldn’t stop on the ice. There is minor damage but covered by other drivers insurance.
FIRE CHIEF:
Fire Chief Chad Finne mentioned the Toys 4 Tots drive went well. Been buying rescue gear for grain bin rescue through a grant received from Compeer Financial.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion to Adjourn at 7:56 pm.
Motion made by Mayor McCool, seconded Councilmember Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor McCool, Councilmembers Burse, Koeckeritz, Nielsen and Ripley.
Nays: None Motion passed
By:______________________________
Mayor Jeffrey McCool
Attest:
By:_________________________________
Paula Even Trenda Clerk/Administrator
