Palo public meetings in 2020

Meeting

The Palo City Council is meeting electronically to discuss and possibly act on a range of items, including a budget amendment public hearing, a FEMA flood recovery award, and several resolutions. The agenda includes routine approvals, financial reports, and various administrative actions. Public comments are limited to a 3-minute open forum.

• FEMA award $115,777.54 for flood 2016 (PW 307)
• Set public hearing for budget amendment
• NSF check fee $30.00 resolution
• Cares Act award $25,335.16
• Playground border costs $2,669.14, $3,144.82, $4,199.25

The Palo City Council approved several resolutions, including changing the NSF fee from $40 to $30, setting a public hearing for a budget amendment, appointing members to boards, adding a No Outlet sign on Linn Dr, submitting an MPO Trail Application, writing off bad debt, updating the utility payment agreement, and approving a playground border. The council also accepted a FEMA reimbursement of $115,777.54 for flood damage and approved a service agreement for Cummins equipment.

• Approved Resolution 122120A changing NSF fee from $40 to $30 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 122120B setting public hearing for Budget Amendment FY20-21 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 122120C appointing Matthew Fecht to Park & Rec Board (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 122120D adding No Outlet on Linn Dr (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 122120E submitting MPO Trail Application (4-1, Hanover no)
• Approved Resolution 122120F writing off bad debt of $100.65 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 122120J updating utility payment agreement to 90 days (5-0)
• Approved playground border purchase of $2,669.14 (5-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council is holding a special meeting electronically due to COVID-19. The main item is a discussion and possible action on Community Center Gym Rentals. Public comments are limited to the open forum and public hearings.

• Discussion and possible action on Community Center Gym Rentals
• Meeting held electronically via conference call due to COVID-19
• Public participation via phone: 978-990-5000, access code 705258

The Palo City Council voted 4-0 to reopen the Community Center gym for rentals, with the condition that renters follow the Governor's proclamation and Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines. The meeting was held electronically due to COVID-19, and no other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved reopening Palo Community Center gym rentals, subject to Governor's proclamation and IDPH guidelines (4-0)
• Adjourned the special meeting (4-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council will meet electronically to consider several resolutions and ordinances, including a second reading and possible final adoption of a sewer rate amendment (Ordinance No. 10-2020) and final adoption of a zoning change for Lots 7, 8, and 9 of Watson Commercial Park from C-1 to M-2. The council will also discuss and possibly act on the annual urban renewal report, TIF certification, a fraud reporting policy, purchasing policy, identity theft prevention, and other items. The meeting is held via conference call due to COVID-19.

• Ordinance No. 10-2020: second reading and possible final adoption amending sewer rates
• Ordinance No. 15-2020: final adoption to rezone Lots 7, 8, 9 Watson Commercial Park from C-1 to M-2
• Resolution 111620A: annual urban renewal report
• Resolution 111620B: TIF certification
• Possible action on Cumming up to $2,534.72 and CiNTAS AED at $109/month

The Palo City Council voted 3-2 to close the Palo Community Center, including rentals, due to rising COVID-19 numbers, with a revisit scheduled for December 21. The council also approved several resolutions, including the annual urban renewal report, TIF certification forms, a fund transfer for debt payments, and policies on fraud, purchasing, and identity theft. Ordinance 10-2020 on sewer rates was tabled until a second workshop, while the third reading of the Watson Commercial Park zoning change to M-2 Heavy Industrial was approved. Other actions included approving a $2,534.72 generator maintenance agreement, a $109/month AED installation, and a Freedom Rock at Zeller Memorial Park.

• Closed Palo Community Center and rentals due to COVID-19 (3-2)
• Approved Resolution 111620A: Annual Urban Renewal Report FY 2019-2020 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 111620B: TIF Certification Forms for FY 2022 taxes (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 111620C: Transfer of funds for debt interest and fees (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 111620D: Fraud Report Policy (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 111620E: Purchasing Policy (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 111620F: Identity Theft Prevention Policy (5-0)
• Tabled Ordinance 10-2020 on sewer rates until a second workshop (5-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council met in a workshop session to discuss sewer rates and financial planning. No formal votes or decisions were taken; the meeting was informational only, covering past reports, water usage, and a proposed five-year rate tier plan.

Meeting

The Palo City Council held a CIP workshop, reviewing capital improvement projects, cost estimates, and the city's financial capacity. They removed some projects, updated costs, and added the 1st Street reconstruction project to the list. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was for discussion and planning, with a next workshop tentatively set for December.

• Added 1st Street reconstruction project to CIP list
• Removed some projects from CIP list
• Updated cost estimates for capital improvement projects

Meeting

The Palo City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 15-2020, rezoning Lots 7, 8, and 9 of Watson Commercial Park from C-1 Highway Commercial to M-2 Heavy Industrial, with the third reading tabled for November 16. The council also adopted a disaster utilities ordinance waiving the three-reading requirement, approved multiple contracts and purchases, and tabled the 1st St. pavement reconstruction project pending future funding.

• Approved second reading of Watson Commercial Park rezoning to M-2 Heavy Industrial (4-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 19-2020 amending utility late fees (4-0)
• Approved $25,450 for Derecho cleanup equipment (4-0)
• Approved $6,849.59 rebuild of high service pump from Iowa Pump Works (4-0)
• Approved Cintas 36-month contract for City Hall, Fire Dept, Water Treatment, Public Works (4-0)
• Approved Hawkeye Communication fire alarm inspection contract ($497 Fire Dept, $557 City Hall) (4-0)
• Approved Northway Well & Pump $3,580 (4-0)
• Tabled Cummins Sales & Service $2,534.72

Meeting

The Palo City Council approved the final adoption of Ordinance 12-2020 (rezoning 300 Blairs Ferry Rd), Ordinance 17-2020 (updating electrical regulations to state code), and Ordinance 16-2020 (amending tobacco sale rules). It also approved wage increases for Lenna Goodale ($28.34) and Bryan Matson ($14.50), a $11,000 water tower pilot study with WestTech, and a $4,200 contract to update the ordinance code books. The council tabled the first reading of Ordinance 15-2020 (Watson Commercial Park rezoning) and decided not to schedule community center rentals at this time.

• Approved final adoption of Ordinance 12-2020, rezoning 300 Blairs Ferry Rd (4-0)
• Tabled first reading of Ordinance 15-2020, Watson Commercial Park rezoning (4-0)
• Approved final adoption of Ordinance 17-2020, updating electrical regulations to state code (4-0)
• Approved final adoption of Ordinance 16-2020, amending tobacco purchase/sale rules (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 081720A, wage increase of $28.34 for Lenna Goodale (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 081720B, wage increase of $14.50 for Bryan Matson (3-0, Rahe abstained)
• Approved $11,000 pilot study with WestTech for water tower (4-0)
• Approved $4,200 to update Ordinance Code books (4-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council denied Iowa Northern Railway Company's request to use 7th Street access for transloading organic grains, citing proximity to residential areas. The council also approved several ordinances, including water rate increases, building code amendments, and culvert regulation changes, and approved multiple resolutions and contracts.

• Denied Iowa Northern Railway's request to utilize 7th Street access (4-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 9-2020 amending water rates (4-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 11-2020 amending building code (4-0)
• Approved second reading of Ordinance No. 12-2020 for rezoning at 300 Blairs Ferry Rd (4-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 14-2020 amending culvert regulations (4-0)
• Approved Blairs Ferry Rd $280,340.12 and Palo Marsh Rd $230,475.68 for Linn County Secondary Roads project (4-0)
• Approved Prairie Road Builders quote of $12,810.70 plus up to $1,500 for Church St and 3rd St (4-0)
• Approved Resolution No. 072020C increasing NSF fees to $35 (4-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council approved the FY21 budget, set a public hearing for a budget amendment, and approved several resolutions including a land division for Ralston Construction. The council also approved a 60-month solid waste contract with ABC Disposal, with options for residents, and tabled the preliminary plat and plan of improvements for the Ralston Commercial Park. The meeting was held on March 16, 2020.

• Approved FY21 Budget resolution 031620A (5-0)
• Set public hearing for FY20 Budget Amendment on April 20, 2020 (5-0)
• Approved resolution 031620C naming depository (5-0)
• Approved resolution 031620D updating investment policy (5-0)
• Approved resolution 031620E for P.O.S. 2401 land division (5-0)
• Tabled preliminary plat for Ralston Commercial Park (4-1)
• Tabled plan of improvements for Ralston Commercial Park (4-1)
• Approved 60-month solid waste contract with ABC Disposal (3-2)

Meeting

The Palo City Council approved the FY21 budget tax levy resolution and set public hearing dates for the budget, future land use map, and Ralston rezoning. The council also tabled the digital media management topic and the garage door opener bids, and approved an employee agreement for Public Works Director Clark Robertson with amendments. No other substantive decisions were made beyond routine approvals and discussions.

• Approved Resolution No. 021720A authorizing FY21 Budget Tax Levy (4-0)
• Set public hearing for FY21 budget for March 16, 2020 (4-0)
• Set public hearing for Future Land Use Map (4-0)
• Set public hearing for Ralston rezoning for March 2, 2020 (4-0)
• Tabled digital media management topic (4-0)
• Tabled Ollinger Garage Door Openers bid (4-0)
• Approved Resolution No. 021720E for Robertson employee agreement with amendments (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda including bills and minutes (4-0)

Meeting

The Palo City Council approved a series of fund transfers totaling $1,165,938.30, including moving funds from the Debt Service Fund to the Infrastructure Project Fund and correcting a negative Equipment Reserve Fund balance. The council also approved a Linn County Sheriff contract with a $1 per hour increase, approved the sale of two mowers, and purchased a back blade and sickle bar mower. An ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Fiscal Management) was tabled until the city changes its reference code.

• Approved Resolution No. 010620A: $1,165,938.30 in total fund transfers (5-0)
• Tabled Ordinance 1-2020 (Chapter 7 Fiscal Management) until reference code is changed (5-0)
• Approved Resolution No. 010620B: Linn County Sheriff contract increase to $37/hour (5-0)
• Approved sale of Toto Grandmaster 360 and Kubota ZD 331 mowers (5-0)
• Approved purchase of P&K Midwest Back Blade ($5,609.25) and Sickle Bar Mower ($4,590) (5-0)
• Tabled Cummins Block Heater purchase ($1,241.35) for follow-up (5-0)