The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom with Mayor Chris Chamberlain presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lavon Paukert, Todd Stevens, and Tim Taylor. Also present were Superintendent Trevor Hale, Utility Clerk Terri McGuire, Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors were Charlie Zitnik (D.A. Davidson), Katey Kroeger (Park Board president), and Tisha Jackson (Park Board secretary).

Mayor Chris Chamberlain called the meeting to order then led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Paukert moved to approve the meeting agenda. Taylor seconded. All votes aye.

Deatz moved to approve the April 15, 2020, meeting minutes. Paukert seconded. All votes aye.

Charlie Zitnik with D. A. Davidson reported the results from a city consolidation and refinance inquiry. Zitnik stated the city was well received in the market and could stand to see a substantial savings. If proceeding to consolidate all current city issues – Series 2010, Series 2014, Series 2014B, and Series 2017 – Rock Port could expect to see an interest rate of 3.35% which would result in a 5.64% savings, just under $300,000, over the life of the remaining debt with a payoff date of 2037.

Stevens moved to approve proceeding with the consolidation and refinancing of city debt. Deatz seconded. All votes aye.

Zitnik will be sure all documents are submitted to the city for review well in advance of the June meeting.

Stevens moved to approve the city financial statements, accounts payables, tax report, delinquent tax list, and all board and departmental reports. Taylor seconded. All votes aye.

Paukert moved to approve the utility financial statements, accounts payables, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Clerk report and City Superintendent report. Deatz seconded. All votes aye.

Stevens moved to approve Action Agenda Item 20-01 – Job Descriptions. Taylor seconded. All votes aye.

Action Agenda Item 20-02 – Longevity Raise Structure was tabled. A work session will be scheduled for further discussion.

MPUA distributed a sample Lineworker Appreciation Day resolution which was passed by the state passed along with multiple other communities. Stevens moved to approve Resolution 2020-01 designating the second Monday in April as Rock Port Lineworker Appreciation Day. Paukert seconded. All votes aye.

A draft lease agreement between the city and Jody VanSickle, owner of Double M Towing, with VanSickle’s proposed edits was reviewed.  Deatz moved to approve to lease the land outside the old water plant to Double M Towing for a period of 10 years. Stevens seconded. All votes aye.

Mayor Chamberlain reported sitting in on last week’s Park Board meeting. They voted to open the park with social distancing recommendations. They all also hoping for a mid-June pool opening date. The Park Board relayed that they would be putting the park and pool expectations and procedures in the paper.

The mayor’s appointment of Jennifer Geib to the Park Board vacancy was discussed. Taylor moved to approve the Mayor’s board appointment. Stevens seconded. All votes aye.

Superintendent Trevor Hale reported work will begin on Cass Street within the next couple weeks, weather permitting. A meeting is being scheduled with Olsson to discuss the water tower. Ground is being gained within the water loss department. The sewer camera was able to find a sizable leak which should hopefully result in an additional large savings. The new hire recently started and is working out well. With all the problems being reported at the compost site, gates were purchased to keep people from the dumping at the old burn location. They will be placed at both entrances.

An additional pick-up is needed for the street department. There are currently several vehicles either out of operation or in rapid decline. Hale inquired about selling the blue pickup, one of the old police cars, the green dump truck, and the Jeep to assist with the purchase. Chief Sherwood has also agreed to the street department utilizing the police department’s vehicle purchase fund this budget year in exchange for next year.

Taylor moved to approve selling the aforementioned vehicles and amending the budget to move the vehicle purchase funds from the police to the street department for the purchase of a truck. Deatz seconded. All votes aye.

Alderman Deatz reported having received junk vehicle complaints. Mayor Chamberlain suggested the junk vehicle ordinances being readdressed at some point.

Alderman Todd Stevens reported the road grading and base rock on Fourth Street seems to be improving the road condition. He was able to witness the new sewer camera in use. Stevens would recommend other board members set up a time to observe it in action. Park Board President Katey Kroeger will be taken up on her communication offer. Several yards in town are starting to get overgrown and he would recommend letters being sent out. The area in front of Rock Port Cabins is also needing readdressed. Chief Sherwood relayed he has sent multiple nuisance vehicle and grass letters the past couple weeks.

A tree trimming service was in town about a week ago and Stevens came upon them just as they were dumping debris at the closed dump site. It is regrettable that Rock Port no longer has a location for this, however Sherwood did inform them it would need to be cleaned up or a citation would be issued.

Mayor Chris Chamberlain reported calls have been made to several businesses in town complimenting them on their efforts during these past couple months. Mayor Chamberlain would like everyone’s thoughts on sending out official letters thanking these businesses. He will draft a letter for Clerk Schulte to work up. Junk car complaints on Rainbow Drive have been received and per conversations with Sherwood, letters have already been sent out.

Even though current COVID-19 restrictions are being relaxed, Chamberlain would like to put something in the paper about continuing to use caution, as there are still risks. Leisman has been contacted about their grass and the glass on their sidewalks. An incoming restaurant has purchased two Main Street properties, including one of which was abandoned. The Park Board was informed that though the police department cannot enforce park and pool recommendations, they are more than happy to respond to calls of individuals that might be making others uncomfortable with their actions.

Paukert moved to adjourn. Stevens seconded. All votes aye.