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Melbourne council approves variance, adopts six resolutions including water and sewer rate hikes; declines renewal of 17 Main Street lot contract
Summary
At its Jan. 10 meeting the Melbourne City Council unanimously approved a building variance at 501 Ketchum, adopted six resolutions (including increases to water and sewer rates), approved a liquor license pending missing documents, and voted not to renew the lot rental contract at 17 Main Street. The council also enrolled in a utility-assistance program and continued budget work.
Melbourne — The Melbourne City Council met Jan. 10, 2022, and unanimously approved a variance for a property at 501 Ketchum, adopted a six-item package of resolutions that included increases to water and sewer rates, and declined to renew a lot rental contract at 17 Main Street.
Council member Lucas Hauser moved to approve the meeting agenda, minutes and bills at the start of the session; Council member Carrie White seconded the motion and the measure passed unanimously. Mayor Cynthia Mansager led the Pledge of Allegiance and there were no public comments.
On a separate vote the council approved a variance request for 501 Ketchum after the city reported that 14 adjacent property owners had been notified as required by ordinance and that no negative responses were received. Hauser moved the variance approval; White seconded and the vote was unanimous.
The council also moved and approved a grouped set of resolutions. The package listed six items: RESOLUTION 22-01-01 (appointments); RESOLUTION 22-01-02 (approving max deposit with MidWestOne); RESOLUTION 22-01-03 (approving relationship with MidWestOne); RESOLUTION 22-01-04 (designation of the official newspaper); RESOLUTION 22-01-05 (increase of water rates); and RESOLUTION 22-01-06 (increase of sewer rates). Carrie White moved the resolutions, Gary Fricke seconded, and the council voted all ayes to adopt them.
The council approved a liquor license for Melbourne Pub on the condition that two outstanding documents be delivered to city hall; the state had already approved the license and dram-shop insurance had been procured. The approval was contingent on receipt of the remaining paperwork.
Council members also addressed a proposed change to a lot-rental agreement for the city lot at 17 Main Street presented by David Wermager. The prior contract, which expired Dec. 31, 2021, had been $1,000 per year under a three-year term. Mr. Wermager proposed a single-year contract at $1,500 with a 30-day termination option. After discussion focused on current usage and the location of city equipment stored on the lot, Council member Carrie White moved not to renew the contract; Beth Smith seconded and the council voted unanimously to let the contract lapse. Mayor Mansager will draft a letter to Mr. Wermager and city hall staff will attempt to contact owners of equipment parked at the lot to find alternate storage locations.
Public works staff reported that crews are still searching for a water leak; a nearby manhole by Farm Service was recently grouted to reduce inflow. Clerk Mary L. Pothast said MidWest One Bank donated $500 to the beautification committee. The council agreed to participate in the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) following contact from the agency MICA; staff will sign and submit the enrollment paperwork and residents at risk of shut-off should contact MICA to check eligibility.
The meeting also served as a budget work session. Clerk Pothast reviewed departmental expense submissions and described the maximum-levy certification process the city must publish and file with county/state officials (she emphasized that the published levy is a maximum, not necessarily the final levy). The personnel committee will meet Jan. 14 to discuss payroll estimates for FY2022–23; the council scheduled a Jan. 17 meeting at 5:30 p.m. to finish the budget and issue a public hearing notice for February.
Votes at a glance: agenda/minutes/bills approved (motion by Lucas Hauser; second Carrie White; unanimous); variance for 501 Ketchum approved (motion by Lucas Hauser; second Carrie White; unanimous); RESOLUTIONS 22-01-01 through 22-01-06 adopted (motion by Carrie White; second Gary Fricke; unanimous); liquor license for Melbourne Pub approved pending receipt of two documents (motion by Carrie White; second Beth Smith; unanimous); non-renewal of 17 Main Street lot rental contract approved (motion by Carrie White; second Beth Smith; unanimous); adjournment approved (motion by Carrie White; second Beth Smith; unanimous).
Financials reported by the clerk showed total expenses of $86,351.09 (General $34,746.64; Water $18,836.05; Sewer $28,366.48) and total revenues of $61,363.84 (General $15,353.82; Water $13,767.15; Sewer $17,906.48).
The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.; the council will reconvene on Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. to continue budget work.
