TOWN OF CLEAR LAKE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 12, 2003


Present: Robert Troll, President, Town Council; Emma Brown, Council Member, Derold Covell, Council Member, Virginia Nye, Clerk Treasurer, Richard Lehman, Marshal, Don Stuckey, Town Attorney, Mark Sullivan, Commonwealth Engineers.

The Town Council President called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

The clerk read the minutes of the April 14, 2003 Regular Council meeting. The on-hand balances as of April 30, 2003 were: General Fund balance $787,030.09; the Garbage Fund balance $47,464.59; Certificate of Deposit balance $95,085.03. The Sewer Escrow Account is presently at $168,796.28. The Wastewater Works Project Loan Budget is $3,520,000. The Project Costs to date are $3,424,551, leaving a balance of $95,449. Of the $500,000 grant, disbursements total $258,914, leaving a grant balance of $241,086. Emma Brown moved approval, Derold Covell seconded and the motion passed. The Accounts Payable Voucher Register was available for all to read.

The Marshal’s report for the period of April 14, 2003 to May 12, 2003 was read by the Marshal. Derold Covell moved approval, Emma Brown seconded and the motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Mark Sullivan presented two requests for payment. Disbursement #39 was to Commonwealth Engineers for inspection $10,968. Emma Brown moved approval, Derold Covell seconded, and the motion passed. Disbursement #40 was to Commonwealth Engineers for construction engineering for $4,301. Emma Brown moved approval, Derold Covell seconded, and the motion passed.

Sullivan indicated that we are close but there still is a way to go. There are still about 20 pumps left to install, most of them on Penner Drive. The issue today is we received an invoice from a property owner to move dirt. Sullivan requested that the property owner file a complaint with Commonwealth, give the contractor a chance to clean up, notify first by fax or writing before taking action.

Mark Sullivan introduced Geiger people: Jim Ufheil, Vice President and Bruce Marks, on site superintendent. There is no truth to the rumor about the financial condition of Geiger, they will complete the project. Mark Sullivan repeated the fact that the town has a bond to insure completion of the project. The completion date is still June 15. The town will announce the date when the system is available for hookup. Citizens will have 150 days (5 months) to hook up.

Don Stuckey reported that the Plan Commission on May 6, 2003 approved the Powhattan Bay Plat Approval as directed by the court. The secondary plat was approved at the same meeting. The subdivision was computed into the initial part of the sewer system.

Craig Benson, attorney for Tri-State University, discussed the upcoming auction of the island by Tri-State, and asked the position of the town board re hookup to sewer system. Bob Troll read from the sewer use ordinance and asked for a motion to not grandfather the island from the sewer ordinance. Emma Brown made the motion not to grandfather the island from the sewer, Derold Covell seconded, and the motion passed.

Larry Armstrong reported on Fire Department Advisory Board meeting. The Advisory Board has proposed that the fire department transfer entity to town of Fremont. It was recommended that Clear Lake remain an integral part of the discussions of the merger and consider a resolution to approve/disapprove the plan when it is finalized.

Russ Bigley and Jim Farst of Cable Direct were present to discuss the town’s cable service. It is time to renew franchise. Mr. Bigley gave the proposal to town council. The town attorney will review the proposal and advise the Council. Jim Farst discussed possible upgrade of the system.

Town Attorney Don Stuckey introduced the sewer use ordinance. He requested a motion to suspend the rules and read by title only. Emma Brown made the motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only, Derold Covell seconded, and the motion passed. Derold Covell made the motion to approve the first reading of the Sewer Use Ordinance, Emma Brown seconded, and the motion passed.

Five vouchers were introduced to be approved:
8736 to Hall Signs, Inc. for $644.35
8739 to Storage Shed for $550.00
8750 to Midwest Billing Administrators for $650.00
8751 to Acordia for $1,152.10
8752 to Crawford Excavating, Inc for $2,000.00
Derold Covell moved approval, Emma Brown seconded and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. The town will test weather sirens each Friday at noon to end of July.
2. It is time to get out the swim buoys.
3. The new bridge is scheduled to be completed by June 1 and new culverts will be installed to replace the current ones on the canal.

There being no additional new business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Emma Brown moved approval, Derold Covell seconded and the motion passed.

Robert D. Troll, Council President


Virginia A. Nye, Clerk Treasurer