# MORAVIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021

# The regular meeting of the Moravia City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem John Baty at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at the Moravia Community Building. In addition to Mayor Pro Tem Baty, those present were Councilpersons Ken Martin, Gary Ehrle, and Sheila Kirby. Mayor Roy Miller was absent from the meeting. Sharla Stogdill, Mitch Main, Shaun Wubben, Paul Simpson, Marcia Benjamin, Bill Benjamin, Russell Ferguson, Chris Sheldon, Sue Albertson, Pastor Christy Ehrle, and Stephen Pedrick were also present. The meeting opened with a prayer by Pastor Christy Ehrle and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro Tem Baty welcomed the public.

# Motion by Ehrle and seconded by Martin to amend the agenda to add council vacancy due to George Bob Robinson’s resignation. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried.

# Motion by Martin and seconded by Ehrle to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2020 regular meeting. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried.

# Bills and receipts were presented and discussed. Motion by Kirby and seconded by Ehrle to approve the bills and receipts. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried. The results of the asbestos inspection from Environmental Edge at the city’s property at 305 West Milwaukee were reviewed. An estimate to remove the asbestos was discussed. Motion by Martin and seconded by Kirby to hire Environmental Edge in Ottumwa to remove the asbestos at 305 West Milwaukee for $835. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty- Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried.

# Sue Albertson asked the Council for approval to place a memorial bench in the park for her daughter, Angela. She is working with the Betterment Committee to place the bench. Council agreed by consensus to approve the bench but will want to approve the location of the bench before it is placed.

# Mayor Pro Tem Baty stated the rules of council meetings. Meetings are open to the public, however, they are not an open forum. The public may speak during the three minutes allowed for comments from the public, if they are on the agenda, or if the Council asks them a question.

# Comments from the public – Russell Ferguson stated he saw in the minutes from the last meeting that dogs are not allowed in the cemetery. He stated he takes his dog for walks in the cemetery and has for twenty years. He cleans up after his dog and he will continue to walk his dog in the cemetery. Councilman Ehrle said it was disrespectful to the people who are buried there. Later in the Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Baty said they would research more on rules regarding animals in the cemetery before a decision is made. A lot of cemeteries are pet friendly as long as you clean up after them.

# Motion by Kirby and seconded by Martin to approve and accept the resignation of George Bob Robinson from the Moravia City Council effective January 7, 2020. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried. Motion by Martin and seconded by Kirby to fill the vacancy by appointment at the February 2021 regular meeting and to publish for the opening as required by law. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried.

# Stephen Pedrick from French-Reneker addressed the Council regarding the sewer/lagoon project. In December, the Council talked about videoing 3,000 more feet of sewer lines, as that is the amount left in the budget. Mitch Main has opened several manholes and saw steady water movement. A map was reviewed with the Council of possible areas to video. It was recommended by Mitch and the Council agreed by consensus to video at Westview, Charles Street, and around the square, which was approximately 3,003 feet, keeping the city in budget. Videoing will be done in February. A flow meter was discussed. Pedrick stated they can be rented and the company sends a representative to set it up. Every time you move it, it has to be recalibrated, so renting three or four and not moving them would be preferred. Pathfinders needs the report from French-Reneker in order to complete their environmental report and timeline is tight. Clerk Stogdill requested budget numbers from Pedrick for the upcoming fiscal year. Pedrick will email the breakdown to the city, stating $600,000 as the cost. Chris Sheldon reported running 60,000 to 70,000 gallons a day at the lagoon.

# Department Reports were given:

# Fire – Chief Paul Simpson reported seven calls in December. Total calls for the year 2020 were 101 EMS, 24 fire, and 11 car accidents, totaling 136 calls. Fire call response fees were discussed. It will not cost residents anything as it is covered under their insurance. With the cost of equipment continuing to rise, the department needs the income. Moulton and Centerville both have fire call fees. Council agreed to review a resolution for the fees at the regular meeting in February. Fireworks were discussed. The department will not be able to continue this tradition without financial help. Paul stated some communities add it to the water bills. Clerk Stogdill did not recommend adding it to the water bill as there is not room for another line on the postcard and she did not think most customers would agree to pay it. She suggested asking for pledges from the community and having the money deducted from their bank account. Various fundraising ideas were discussed. Fire Fighter I training will begin next month and six books are needed. Mayor Pro Tem Baty asked for the cost of the books stating the Moravia Union may be able to help pay part of the cost.

# Library – Report submitted by the Library Board. Library Director Ann Repp discussed replacing Gary Ehrle on the Library Board. They were unable to find any males interested in filling the opening. The Library Board is asking for approval of Carol Cloyed to replace Gary Ehrle, and the renewal of the terms for Lois VanZante and Julie Dhority. Motion by Kirby and seconded by Martin to approve Carol Cloyed, Lois VanZante, and Julie Dhority to the Moravia Library Board of Directors. Roll Call Vote: Martin-Aye, Baty-Aye, Kirby-Aye, Ehrle-Aye. Motion carried. Ann reported the library has a new website. The web address is the same and still needs a few things added to it. The library is open and available to the public with masks required. Usage of the library is down since the corona virus outbreak.