Paullina Council Gets Little Accomplished
by Mari Radtke
Tom Lange and Mark Lange were guests at the June 5 Paullina Council meeting to discuss a property exchange between Janet I. Lange and the City of Paullina. The Janet I. Lange Revocable Trust had owned the land where the current West Industrial Park now stands. The City traded that area for land on the southeast corner of the city. That is farm ground near the city tree dump and lagoons. It was revealed that the property title to that land had not been updated since 1999 when the City purchased it. The Lange family tracked down the abstract into the Klay, Veldhuizen, Bindner, DeJong & Halverson, P.L.C. where it had been, presumably, since it’s last update.
After some work was done the Lange’s discovered that the road to the city infrastructure was included in that land purchase. He explained what they want relief from liability for the road – an easement or other release.
At the June 19 meeting council was provided with an “Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement” prepared by the city attorney, Tisha Halverson. The document had no agenda item to take action. Council is expected to review it and provide input at the July 5 meeting.
In other action during the Paullina City Council on June 19 was a lively discussion about a proposed ordinance change to parking on Groesbeck Street north of Main east to Wood Street brought out Abby Hansen. The proposal is to allow parking on the north side of Groesbeck Street only. Concern for vehicle access, especially emergency vehicles, when cars are parked on both sides drives the ordinance change. Hansen’s primary concern was communication from the city to the residents who park on the street. She mentioned the higher than usual number of cars parking on the street during college breaks or when any household has company. There are several driveways reducing curbside parking further. The ordinance proposal also eliminates parking on Maple Street within the city limits; allows only angled parking in marked spots on the south side of Swanson Street and eliminates parking on Wood Street.
The first reading was not passed. Further study from the city will be brought before the ordinance is revisited at a future meeting.
City personnel wage increases were approved. Department heads Kelly Top and Michelle Wilson each received $1.05 per hour increase. Kaden Hewlett, Lineman was awarded $.87 per hour. Josh Biery, Water/Wastewater, received an additional $.59 per hour. Police Chief Nathan Bremer went up by $.78 per hour. These wages are based on a 40-hour work week. Brian Fisch, Airport Manager received an additional $64.42 for the next fiscal year. The resolution excludes the library personnel. Recent changes to payroll at the library are the indicated reason.
The procedures in place for work between the library and the city, mostly in financial handling was discussed. Timely payment under the current procedures and schedules is not being made. There was also some discussion about the number of hours being worked by newly appointed director Matt Dengler.
The resolution to designate “official” website domains were presented to be named official. They are www.cityofpaullina.com and paullinaiowa.gov. Councilman Steve Heeren asked the meaning of “All other sites are unofficial and must be discontinued immediately.” The responses from Councilman Jay Jones and Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse were a bit different from each other. Jones said it could not represent itself as official or representing the City of Paullina. Ebel Kruse said it had to be taken down. A resolution does not have any legal authority. An ordinance does not have any legal power outside of the geographical boundaries of the governing body. It is unclear how this resolution will be enforced. Based on Ebel Kruse’s description of the remaining review-change-review of the new website left to be done, it will not make its July 1 deadline. (Note their website was live on July 3, but not in a complete state.)
The TCA At-large board member selection brought out this issue was not ready to be brought to the council. The At-Large position rotates among the 4 communities. It is Paullina’s turn to fill the 4-year term. There were no nominations, nor was council alerted to bring nominations. Also was a revived effort by Ebel Kruse and Jones to replace John Ihle on the programming board with Jones. This was originally brought up in April after the mayor had falsely stated to council that there were “attendance problems” in that position. Official TCA records proved Ihle’s attendance was perfect even during his hospitalization. Ihle defended his work on the volunteer board. Jones cast wrong and personal insults at Ihle about an irrelevant issue in an effort to be awarded the programming board position. Council chose to table naming an appointee for both positions.