The Regular meeting of the
Carthage City Council was held December 13th, 2005, at City Hall, 308 Walnut
Street. Mayor Nightingale called the meeting to order at 8:00PM. Answering to
roll call were Aldermen Duffy, Smith, Fleming, Bentzinger, Neally, and Walker.
Treasurer Lunt was absent.
Motion was made by Alderman
Walker, seconded by Fleming to approve the meeting minutes of 11/22/05. All six
Aldermen answered “aye”.
Motion was made by Alderman
Walker, seconded by Duffy to approve the November Budgetary Report. All six
Aldermen voted “yes”.
Steve Van Hook from Patrick
Engineering discussed the landfill engineering expenses at length. The
engineering expense is at least $23,600 more than estimated and the landfill is
still not completed. There was much discussion on whose responsibility it is,
the contractor or engineering firm. Steve will analyze the overruns Vs paid
invoices to determine difference, and analyze where the overruns occurred.
John Faulhaber presented the
2004-05 audit results. Due to the costs incurred with the landfill, he
expressed concerns about the overall financial status of the City particularly
looking at the upcoming year.
City Attorney Glidden reported
filing a small claim against Keokuk Junction Railroad for failure to pay for a
fire run in March 2005. Glidden also reported that a new arrest warrant had
been issued to Kurt Neff, for failure to clean up his property on Buchanan.
Motion was made by Alderman
Smith, seconded by Neally to pay the retainage and final bill to Ingeldue
Excavating for completion of the Water and Sewer projects earlier this year for
$10,710.40. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman
Fleming, seconded by Smith to approve the final payment to WL Miller for last
year’s street overlay project from Motor Fuel funds totaling $5458.08 All six
Aldermen voted “yes”. This will then go to the State for their approval and
official closure of the project.
Alderman Smith reported that
there had been a change from the State regarding firearm policies for
policemen.
Motion was made by Alderman
Smith, seconded by
The College is again in
violation of City ordinances regarding unsecured buildings. A ticket was
issued, but the Police were unable to locate anyone to give the ticket to.
Attempts will be made again tomorrow. Fines will be issued for everyday they
are in violation.
Motion was made by Alderman
Smith, seconded by Duffy to hire Scott Rossen and Eric Kreckel for part time
police work. All six aldermen voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman
Walker, seconded by Duffy to pay the November bills with the exception of
Patrick Engineering and only 90% payment for Rees Construction. All six
aldermen voted “yes’.
The mileage reimbursement will
again change in January to $.445/gal. It will be the Council’s position to flex
the mileage reimbursement with government guidelines.
Motion was made by Alderman
Walker, seconded by Fleming to approve ordinance 2006-9, which is the 2005 levy
for a 5% increase to $159,692.34
All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman
Fleming, seconded by Walker to approve PSBA to start the engineering work on
the suggested streets, plus one additional block. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman
Fleming, seconded by Smith to approve payment of $300.00 for the sewer to be
connected at 803 Main Street. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
There was discussion on water
main replacement projects for next year. They will start looking at Kiwanis and
S Marion. The decision was made to hold off on the small section of sewer
replacement on Parkway Drive, until the whole project can be accomplished.
Motion was made by Alderman
Duffy, seconded by Walker to adjourn at 10:15PM.
Katherine Graham
City Clerk