Melbourne council approves FY2017–18 financial report, orders leak detection and allows shed variance in 4–1 vote

Melbourne City Council approved the city’s Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2017–18 and took a series of operational actions at its Oct. 8 meeting, including authorizing electronic leak detection to address rising water-loss figures and permitting a shed to remain after a 4–1 vote.

Clerk Pothast presented the published Annual Financial Report (AFR) for FY2017–18; Councilman C. White moved to approve the report, seconded by Councilman Gibbs, and the motion passed unanimously. The clerk also reported September fund activity: total expenses of $78,430.94 and total revenues of $50,796.25.

PW Superintendent Gary Fricke told the council water-loss figures had risen sharply over the previous two months. Fricke said hydrants had been checked but heavy rain hampered inspection of manholes. Councilman Stahl moved, with a second from Gibbs, to allow Fricke to hire a contractor to perform electronic leak detection; the motion passed unanimously.

While inspecting for leaks, Fricke said crews found two holes near the ditch on Main Street at Owen Street. Jim Ricken told the council the repair could likely be completed by jetting from one end for about $500 or by digging both ends for approximately $1,000. Councilman Juel moved to authorize that repair, seconded by C. White; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Work at 501 Main revealed an historical improper water connection that needs to be corrected and tied into the main. Councilman C. White moved to proceed with the repair, seconded by Bunting; the motion passed unanimously.

The council also approved operational maintenance and contracting items. Fricke reported Central Tank Coating offered either a $5,000 discount or 10 percent off if multiple services were scheduled together; New Century FS, the city’s largest water user, recommended scheduling work after July 15. Council approved paying for the tank work from this year’s and next year’s budgets. The council further authorized annual maintenance for the city’s snow plow truck at O’Halloran after a motion from Councilman Gibbs, seconded by Stahl.

Personnel and benefits items included a motion to reimburse Chief Ball $65 per month for use of his personal cell phone for city business, approved unanimously after a motion by C. White and second by Bunting. The council also approved offering PW Assistant Pfantz a health-plan option through the Iowa Municipal Benefits Plan that would permit pre-tax payroll deductions and impose no cost to the city; that motion passed unanimously.

A zoning variance item generated the meeting’s only recorded dissent. The council reviewed an existing shed on Owen Street that sits closer to the fence than allowed by the prior variance. Councilman C. White moved to allow the structure to remain; the motion passed on a roll call vote, 4 ayes and 1 nay by Councilman Stahl.

On public-safety and code-enforcement topics, Chief Ball said recent vehicle break-ins appear to be the work of juveniles and that investigations are ongoing. Mayor White proposed an amendment to the city’s mowing ordinance that would set a single seasonal published notice (proposed April 15–Nov. 15) as the lone warning; thereafter the city would abate nuisances and bill the homeowner at $100 per hour per person. The council requested staff draft the ordinance amendment for consideration at a future meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion by Councilman C. White, seconded by Juel, to adjourn; the motion passed and the council adjourned at 7:43 p.m.