The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Chris Chamberlain presiding. Board members present were Todd Stevens, Ron Deatz, and Lisa Farmer. Alderwoman Lavon Paukert was absent. Also present were Superintendent Trevor Hale, Utility Clerk Terri McGuire, Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors present were Erika Daugherty, Regan Griffin, and Mike Milius and Nolan Groff of Olsson.

The meeting agenda was approved.

The aldermen approved the September 16, 2020, meeting minutes.

Nuisance Property

Erika Daugherty was in attendance to discuss a nuisance property at 308 S. Kansas, neighboring her parents’ home. The property has issues with debris, overgrown trees, and plants growing through the sidewalk. Daugherty and her father have made complaints for several years now, and it continues to be a yearly struggle.

Chief Sherwood stated that he has sent two letters and has been speaking with the homeowner and she’s attempting to find someone to clean it up, but isn’t having much luck. It was discussed to give the homeowner an additional week then start the citation process. Following citing the owner, the board could make the decision to have city employees clean up the property and bill the owner for both equipment and labor, which will be costly.

Daugherty then made mention of a property at 201 W. First. Mayor Chamberlain noted this property having had this issue in the past as well. Chief Sherwood stated he would follow up on the complaint.

Restore Rock Port

Regan Griffin wanted to announce that Restore Rock Port has reassembled and is working towards what they hope to be their first project. They are not planning to own any property, but hope to sell or give it away post-restoration. One main challenge they foresee is owners of nuisance properties not wishing to sell. It was inquired if Restore Rock Port could have assistance from the city with enforcing nuisance violations.

Conversation then took place regarding limitations with nuisance properties and the city. Chief Sherwood relayed that the city attorney is already working on this matter, but he will contact her to see what she has determined thus far.

City Sewer

Smoke Testing Results

Olsson presented their initial smoke testing results. With the inflow and infiltration results, Olsson is mainly concerned with inflow at this point in time. During the testing, around 65 locations were noted. Of these locations, around half were in the public sector and half were in the private sector. They were then broken down further into high, medium, and low priority. The next recommended step would be dye testing some of the higher priority sections for confirmation of the initial testing results.

Olsson also noted the next phase of the water tower project needing to be on next month’s agenda.

Consent Agendas

The city financial statements, accounts payable, tax report, delinquent tax list, and all board and departmental reports were approved.

The utility financial statements, accounts payable, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports were approved.

City Traffic Engineer

Requests for additional street signage have been received. Ordinances state the City Traffic Engineer must approve the installation of signs. No one is currently designated to this position.

The aldermen voted to have Chief Sherwood take on the task of the City Traffic Engineer.

Clerk Schulte relayed a request for a yield sign at the north end or the intersection of West Clay and South Nebraska. A yield sign is already established at the south end. Mayor Chamberlain also had a request from the school for “No Parking” signs along side streets near the school.

Street Bricks

The city currently has around 18,000 bricks that were torn out of an old street. The antique brick buyer the city used a few years ago is no longer in business. A brick sale was then discussed for the local community. Individuals interested would need to contact City Hall prior to December 1 to have their names added to the list. Payment would be due prior to the bricks being picked up. The city will set a day for this. It will be the responsibility of the purchasers to load their own bricks if they are wanting 500 bricks or less. The bricks can also be loaded with a Bobcat. Large brick orders can be purchased by the bucket load and placed on a pickup truck or trailer in that fashion.

The aldermen approved a city brick sale for an estimated 15¢ per brick per Bobcat bucket load, or 25¢ per brick for orders of 500 bricks or less which the purchaser will load themselves.

COVID Policy

A COVID plan was discussed for what protocol, if any, should be followed if an employee were to be quarantined or get a positive test result.

The aldermen approved for employees to receive up to two weeks of paid leave with proof of a positive COVID test result. Additional time could be approved on a case by case basis, as deemed necessary by the board.

2021 meeting dates

The 2021 meeting dates were approved.

City Clerk Emily Schulte

MIRMA inspections for the city and pool were included with the meeting packet. Midwest Data Center has been contacted for a quote on an upgraded phone system for City Hall. The Tourism Board had a setback when attempting to order new Christmas décor for Main Street. They still plan to order new decorations; however, they won’t be in place this holiday season.

Superintendent

Trevor Hale

The city is currently at 83% for the yearly take-or-pay water contract, so will likely go slightly over by year end. However, if the water loss rates maintain, it is a high probability they will come in under next year. The water tower recoating project contracts have been received. Once the city attorney and Hale have a chance to review them, Mayor Chamberlain will be asked to sign them.

A curb machine has been purchased which has cut curb pouring project times by more than half. The chip seal work the city had hoped to accomplish this year was put off by the company due to COVID delays.

Hale believed the city could remedy most of the public locations noted in the smoke testing results and for one-third the price quoted in the proposal. The private locations will require more discussion from the board.

Alderman Lisa Farmer

Farmer inquired about streetlights that go on and off in the night. Some of the older fixtures will turn themselves off when getting hot but will turn back on after cooling down. If the lights don’t come on at all they could be burnt out or possibly a pay light that a resident has chosen to have turned off. Citizens are encouraged to report them in so they can be checked. Chief Sherwood also mentioned officers on night shift can also start lists of lights they notice while on patrol.

Mayor Chamberlain

Chamberlain thanked Hale for all his work getting the plaques ordered and placed on the Main Street trash bins. He will now work to get the donors recognized for their contributions in funding those. Chamberlain was optimistic about the city pay scales department heads and the board have been working on.

The aldermen voted to approve the retroacting of one step on the longevity pay scale to all employees who qualify on January 1, 2021.

They also approved the implementation of employee pay scales effective January 1, 2021.

The meeting was then adjourned.