City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa - City Council Minutes

1. MAYOR/MAYOR PRO-TEM TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER:

1.Roll Call – 5:30 pm

2.Pledge of Allegiance & a Moment of Silence

Attendee Name Title Status

Ryan Panowicz Present

Mark Reinders Present

Kirk Moriarty Present

Andrea Johnson Assistant Mayor Pro Tem Present

Ron Hanson Mayor Pro Tem Present

Jon Winkel Mayor Present

2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

Motion by Kirk Moriarty, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Approve the Agenda. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

3.aApprove the minutes of the February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting

Motion by Ryan Panowicz, seconded by Mark Reinders to Approve the minutes of the February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

4. CITIZEN'S INPUT:

Scott Boettcher and his wife Sherry attended. Scott explains that garbage trucks, semis, and other vehicles turn around in his parking. The culvert at the end of his road has sunk. There has already been an asphalt patch. He pulls weeds and mows the area to keep it nice. He believes the area is getting worse. He asked that someone from the City look at it, it may just need to be patched again.

The Council discusses the issue with Scott. Jason Kvidera will go out tomorrow to look at it.

Dan Hunter, 2090 Roundtable. He complimented the good work done on First Street. He asked the city to see if they can address the problems with feral cats.

There was discussion regarding various issues with feral cats. There are some people in town who are feeding them. One possibility discussed was issuing citations.

5. DEPARTMENT HEADS' REPORTS:

The City Council received the Department Head Written Reports.

Anthony Gaul explained that is has been a very busy start to the year. He described multiple times recently where simultaneous calls came in. They are track to have 690 calls this year, last year there were 544. They are already at 50 calls this month. The proposed changes in the bylaws coming up on the agenda will be helpful.

Ron Hanson asked if their calls were emergency or transport calls? Anthony described a variety of different calls they've had. Many were not transport calls. Mark Reinders asked what a "good intent" call is? Anthony described it as someone reporting something that appears worrisome, but is not.

6.APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

6.aApproval of new Fire Department High School Program Volunteer: Kellen Kvidera

6.bApproval of new Fire Department High School Program Volunteer: Carter Gehling

6.cBills: Check numbers 90805 to 90872 in the amount of $246,111.45

Motion by Kirk Moriarty, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Approve the Consent Agenda Items:

6.a)Approval of new Fire Department High School Program Volunteer: Kellen Kvidera

6.b)Approval of new Fire Department High School Program Volunteer: Carter Gehling

6.c)Bills: Check numbers 90805 to 90872 in the amount of $246,111.45 Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

Check Name Description Amount

3E ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HEATER/LIFT STATION 1,911.21

AMBER SAWYER-AUTHOR LIBRARY PROGRAMMING 150.00

ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERVICES SAMPLE ANALYSIS 245.25

APPEARA CLEAN LINENS/MATS 100.88

BAKER & TAYLOR BOOKS 271.87

BEKINS FIRE & SAFETY SERVICES FIRST AID KIT SUPPLIES 102.42

BENTSON PEST MANAGEMENT PEST CONTROL 135.00

BOMGAARS BUILDING/CLOTHING ALLOW/BOOTS/VEHICLE 760.69

BROCK AUCTION COMPANY DEPOSIT REFUND 100.00

CHAPMAN, RYAN OVERPAYMENT OF ACCOUNT 126.41

CINTAS SUPPLIES 96.17

CLAPPER, BAILEY DEPOSIT REFUND 98.66

COFFEE KING COFFEE 79.75

CRICHTON, SCOTT ENERGY EFF PROGRAM/FREEZER 25.00

DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP HYDRANT REPAIR 2,340.00

DANKO EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT CO CITROSQUEEZE 192.00

DINGES FIRE COMPANY LOCKWOOD HOOK 209.31

DOCUMENT DEPOT & DESTRUCTION  SHREDDING 49.00

ESTATE OF MICHAEL MEREDITH OVERPAYMENT OF ACCOUNT 0.34

FELD FIRE FIRE DEPT. SUPPLIES 220.00

FLOYD RIVER MATERIALS INC WASHED SAND 3,507.20

HAWKINS WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS/CHLORINE CYLINDERS 160.00

HEIDMAN LAW FIRM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 37.50

HOFFMAN, BRIAN ENERGY EFF PROGRAM/HEAT PUMP 400.00

HS OCCUPATIONAL WELLNESS LLC DOT DRUG SCREENING 30.00

HYDRAULIC SALES AND SERVICE CO 2-WIRE HOSE 37.20

JACKS UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 409.60

JACKSON PUMPING SERVICE CORP LIFT STATION PUMPING 1,024.00

LEU, JEFF OR LARY ENERGY EFF PROGRAM/REFRIGERATOR 50.00

LINCOLN, AARON FLOWERS FOR FUNERAL 349.84

LONG LINES LLC TELECOMMUNICATION EXPENSE 39.07

MARCO INC COPIER CONTRACT 85.83

MARCO TECHNOLOGIES LLC COPIER CONTRACT 644.45

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC ACETYLENE 74.89

MCBRIDE, PAM DEPOSIT REFUND 142.40

MIDAMERICAN ENERGY JAN 2025 GAS UTILITY 4,999.66

MIDWEST WHEEL COMPANIES MICROBLADE FUSE 4.46

MUNICIPAL ENERGY AGENCY OF NEB JAN 2025 POWER PURCHASED 207,565.35

POMP'S TIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT/SERVICE 952.28

ROBERTSON IMPLEMENT CO EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES 34.12

ROBINSON, JOHN REIMBURSE LATCHES & TRAINING 435.31

RUNYON, TARA DEPOSIT REFUND 100.00

SAM'S CLUB BATTERIES/DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE/TRASH BAGS 322.43

SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH DEPT FOOD SERVICE LICENSE - REC CENTER 300.00

SIOUXLAND REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION 180.00

STAN HOUSTON EQUIPMENT CO INC TAMPER/VEHICLE REPAIRS 1,481.10

STATE CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS WASTEWATER PROGRAM 491.13

STEFFEN EQUIPMENT 484.12

TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS KEY FOBS 90.00

TITAN MACHINERY-KINGSLEY BUSH HOG 2,980.00

TOOLEY, PRESTON FLOWERS FOR FUNERAL REIMB 32.09

VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONE EXPENSE 1,340.66

VISA CARD - FIRE DEPT BUILDING SUPPLIES/MEMBERSHIPS/TRAINING/QUICK BOOKS 1,121.80

WESCO RECEIVABLES CORP ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 3,476.00

WILLIAMS & COMPANY ACCOUNTING SERVICES 5,515.00

Total: 246,111.45

7. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:

7.aDiscussion with Officer Jory Ward who is working with the Iowa Attorney General regarding Cryptocurrency Fraud

Jory Ward discussed with the City Council the implementation of flock cameras in the area. They received donations to purchase more cameras from some local businesses in the area and expect to see more. So far, donations were from Glen-Gery, Day's Door, Pioneer Bank, Charlie Woodford and Pump N Pack. The cameras are very beneficial.

Jory discussed a recent case in which an individual was the victim of an elaborate bitcoin scam. The scam was perpetrated by e-mail which appeared to be an errant refund from Paypal that the individual had to resolve. He described how a bitcoin machine in the area was used to transfer the funds to someone out of the country. He has been working with the Iowa Attorney General to work on preventing and responding to these scams. A press release will come out tomorrow from the AG.

The Council discussed with Jory.

7.bCouncil to Approve Updated Constitution and By-Laws for the Fire Department Changes were for the following:

Anthony Gaul described various changes in the By-Laws. He explained why they increased their active membership to 52. This will allow them to have 10 members residing outside of the city limits, he described the requirements that those members would have to meet. This change has benefited other communities. They are able to provide a lot of training to them. They may increase the number in the future, but the current limit allows them to afford the equipment and manage the hours.

There was discussion regarding a different category that already exists for volunteers that live within 5 miles which will remain in place.

Motion by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Kirk Moriarty to Approve the Updated Constitution and By-Laws for the Fire Department.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

7.cApprove Application to Conduct A Farmers Market and Designate Laura Johnson as the Market Manager

Danny Christoffers introduced Laura Johnson who ran the market last year, she did an excellent job. The Market license expires every year and he asked her to apply again. She requested to have the market open on Sundays from 5-7pm.

Laura explains that she will continue the same format, she will do 4 Sundays, she hopes to bring out a crowd with specialty nights.

Several Council members shared positive comments about the market.

Motion by Ron Hanson, seconded by Ryan Panowicz to Approve the Application to Conduct a Farmers Market and Designate Laura Johnson as the Market Manager.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

7.dRES 25-07 Resolution to Consent to the Mayor's Appointment of Police Chief and Determine Compensation for Police Chief

Jon Winkel expresses that they were impressed by all the candidates, their skill sets, and ideas.

Andrea Johnson, Ron Hanson, and Aaron Lincoln - who were on the interview committee - provided their comments on the process.

Motion by Ron Hanson, seconded by Andrea Johnson to select Jereme Muller as the new Police Chief and Approve RES 25-07 Resolution to Consent to the Mayor's Appointment of Police Chief and Determine Compensation for Police Chief.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

Former Police Chief Scott Pack ceremonially put the Police Chief badge on Jereme Muller. The Mayor and Council discussed Scott Pack's community service, changes he made to the department, and many years of dedicated service. He will remain on as an Officer and assist with the transition until he retires in August.

Jereme Muller thanked the Mayor, City Council, and Scott Pack. He discussed how he utilized Scott Pack as a resource when he served in another City, he hopes to continue to do that.

8. RESOLUTION(S):

8.aRES 25-08 Amending Fee Schedule for Rates and User Fees for the City of Sergeant Bluff Tyler Tweet discussed a potential change to the Open Gym. In the last six months he has seen an influx of people attending Open Gym, not all of them are from Sergeant Bluff. He is looking into having a drop-in fee for non-Sergeant Bluff attendees and non-Sergeant Bluff students.

The Council discussed with Tyler the potential fee and how he would track the individuals who come in.

The changes to the prorated Indoor Batting Fees were discussed as a result of the School taking over the facility mid-year.

Other changes to the fee schedule were also reviewed.

Motion by Mark Reinders, seconded by Ron Hanson to Approve RES 25-08 Amending Fee

Schedule for Rates and User Fees for the City of Sergeant Bluff with an amendment to include a $10 fee for non-Sergeant Bluff attendees and non-Sergeant Bluff students for Open Gym.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

9. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:

Aaron Lincoln reported on a 0% increase on medical insurance premiums through June 2026. He and Jason will attend an Iowa SRF lunch and learn Wednesday at SIMPCO. The remaining reporting items have been addressed in the agenda.

10. COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS & COMMENTS:

The Mayor and Council congratulated Jereme Muller on his new position as Police Chief and congratulated Scott Pack on his great career.

Kirk Moriarty expressed concern with peoples driving patterns with the warmer weather, watch out for motorcycles. He congratulated the wrestlers in the wrestling tournament with two state titles for the first time ever. Unfortunately basketball season wrapped up, but they did good. Track, soccer, and spring sports are starting.

Ryan Panowicz thanked Jory Ward for provide insight into the Bitcoun issue. He congratulated the Gir - congrats to new chief. Thank Jory for enlightening us on the bitcoin issue. He congratulated the boys and girls basketball teams and the wrestlers.

Mark Reinders said that there was not a quorum at the last Parks & Rec Meeting, that may need to be discussed further. He attended the Siouxland Chamber coffee event at Hawks. There was a very interesting presentation, there was discussion about bringing awareness to businesses in Sergeant Bluff by doing a community-wide event.

Andrea Johnson said that she learned a lot in the Police Chief interviews, each person had something great that we need to utilize. She congratulated all the participants, coaches, and teachers involved in winter sports

Ron Hanson passed out the Safe Routes to School Accomplishments flyer. They will come on the 11th to talk about it. The Siouxland Chamber's trip is coming up in October, the trip will be to Italy, the deadline to register is March 31st. He discussed how the wrestling team has come a long way, having 2 tournament wins is a historical moment. He discussed the value of sports. Lastly, he said that we need to look at safety on the roads, many kids are using scooters and mini bikes in a dangerous way.

11. MAYOR'S REPORT:

Jon Winkel said that as a result of a recent closed session regarding real estate. Further negotiations were had with staff and an agreement was reached with the party and the offer was signed and accepted. Also, with the warmer weather, people are driving faster, please be careful. Lastly, he congratulated the wrestlers, that is a tough sport. The basketball teams had great improvement this year.

12. ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Ron Hanson, seconded by Mark Reinders to Adjourn at 7:16 pm.

Motion Carried. [Unanimous]

Mayor/Mayor Pro-Tem

Attest:

Danny Christoffers, City Clerk