[0:00] near you.
>> The Iowa to order. First of all, this
[0:04] roll call that we are joined by council
member Martinez, council member Schultz,
[0:09] council or mayor pro McFaren, council
member Dominguez, and council member
[0:15] Perez. Um, first up is approval of the
agenda. Is there a motion to approve?
[0:22] » Is there a second? Second.
>> Is there discussion?
[0:25] » Hearing none, all in favor signify by
saying I. I. Those opposed? Nay. The
[0:30] eyes have it. And we will move on to
approval of the consent agenda. Does the
[0:35] city council minutes from uh July 21st,
2026? Is there a motion to Is there a
[0:42] second? Second.
>> Is there discussion?
[0:46] Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I.
[0:49] » I.
>> Those opposed, nay. The eyes have it.
[0:52] And we will move to item number four
which is uh 4A uh the city engineers
[0:58] report. Um and there is an information
packet there. Uh and also I think Kelly
[1:05] was hoping for more on the swimming pool
tonight.
[1:08] » I think we're doing the work session at
the next meeting.
[1:10] » Yes. Yeah. But I'm good. I thought you
would be faster. Stephen just fine. You
[1:16] would be faster.
>> You're all right. With that admiration,
[1:21] you're up.
>> Yeah. Oh, I didn't need Marine the
[1:24] report with me tonight. I wanted
>> No, no, not the the the
[1:29] » Oh, cool.
>> Oh, yeah.
[1:33] » Um, yeah. So, E6 Street, uh, MJ
Electric's moving along. So, we got the
[1:40] the website. We're going to get that
live tomorrow. Uh, I'm just going to add
[1:45] in the next update. And we're just going
to start with bi-weekly updates in that
[1:50] that construction update link that for
the city residents that I think
[1:54] Britney's planning on set sharing with
through social media and different
[1:58] avenues with the residents every two
weeks. So, it will be the Monday before
[2:01] the council meeting. And then when
construction gets a little more active,
[2:05] when we start getting the street recon
and everything, we'll start doing that
[2:08] every Monday weekly at that point along
with uh having progress meetings with
[2:13] the with the contractor. So, right now,
um like I said, MJ Electric's working on
[2:19] things. Uh had a couple phone calls from
a few residents, but I think we got that
[2:23] all handled with sewer locating sewer
services and and so forth. Um they're
[2:29] expecting to be done later this month
along with the gas utility should be
[2:33] starting up any day uh relocating it and
they're going to start from Clark Street
[2:38] to Corn Street and they're going to
relocate that gas service. So then that
[2:41] way they'll work on the eastern half or
I guess really from Farmers Lane to Corn
[2:45] Street will take place this year with
the water main work being this fall.
[2:50] That's still the schedule to date. Um
nothing's changed. So, I'd expect um
[2:56] early September uh when they'll get
over. I don't know if they're going to
[2:59] wait until after Labor Day to to start
the street work or if they're going to
[3:03] start that first week of September.
That's the one piece that I'm waiting
[3:06] waiting on from the contractor, but that
work will be starting from corn or
[3:10] farmers laying the corn street and then
immediately after they'll start doing
[3:14] the water mane. Uh the one clarification
I have is a lot of times they'll have a
[3:18] different crew doing the water mane work
versus the crew that's doing the street
[3:21] work. So, I don't know if they'll have
them working simultaneously at the same
[3:26] time or if they'll do one and then move
on to the next. So, that's the other
[3:30] piece that I'm waiting on. And then I
did talk with Eddie a little bit today.
[3:34] He's got a few more easements that he's
trying to get get signed. Um, and he was
[3:38] asking me some questions and I talked
with him and told him uh what we're
[3:42] doing. It's really 10 ft. There might be
some that are a little more. I can't
[3:45] remember each property off the top of my
head, but I told them if in the easement
[3:50] agreement it states that they're
required to restore it back to condition
[3:55] previously. So, um there shouldn't be
any additional language there and if the
[3:59] contractor happened to encroach further
onto the property, the contractor is
[4:03] required by contract with the city to to
remedy any disturbance to things outside
[4:08] the construction limit. So, if they
damage a piece of the property, it's at
[4:11] their cost if they have to fix it.
Um
[4:16] but yeah, those are are the big things
with that. The pool, like we mentioned,
[4:21] we're going to have that for work
session on the the 18th. Um 8 8th Street
[4:26] residential development, the depot
chalk, that is we don't have much else
[4:30] there. Um, I think they had one or Brad
TripleB might be doing the construction
[4:36] for that also and he reached out for
with a few questions that we're going to
[4:41] get back to him this week that he had
for things. But our two major uh
[4:45] comments on theirs was to do a standard
drain or each street comes with a sub
[4:50] drain. We wanted them to go up to 6 in
rather than 4 inch just because getting
[4:55] a jetdder down a 4 inch line is a lot
harder than a 6-in line and the cost
[4:59] between a 4inch line and 6 in uh
essentially farm tile is insignificant.
[5:05] So, usually the same price. And then the
other thing was is to make sure they do
[5:09] a full design and reconstruction of the
intersection at 7th and Farmers Lane. um
[5:15] rather than
>> a school or no,
[5:18] » that would be at the very end where
where you get what I think of as old
[5:22] Harold's old auction area. Um so, but
they only had it tying into that curb
[5:28] line and we told them no, we're
terminating the new Farmers Lane Street
[5:32] there. You need to redo that
intersection fully. That way, if Seventh
[5:35] Street ever got done, you have a nice
tie in there. You're not having to redo
[5:39] that that intersection at that time.
um industrial uh storm water review. I
[5:44] think we've gotten all their questions
answered. I haven't heard anything for
[5:47] for the last week or so. Um for the
water department, uh we're doing quite a
[5:54] bit with them right now. Uh the
antiscalant pump uh permit has been
[6:00] submitted to the DNR. Um finally got
through everything with the the supplier
[6:04] to get that pump selected. And uh the
good news is they found the pump that we
[6:09] don't have to go through a variance
request through the DNR. So that that
[6:12] saves a lot of time. That variance
requests can take four to 6 months to
[6:16] get approval. So this should only be a
month to get get through the DNR. Um
[6:21] we've started work on the hydraulic
model. will be meeting with the city on
[6:25] the 18th of August, also the same day as
the school work session,
[6:29] » um to start going over the preliminary
findings and then go over some questions
[6:33] and ultimate goals of it just to make
sure we're aligned as we're we're
[6:37] getting started into that. Um we've got
most of the information from the city. I
[6:41] think there's a few small things that
we're still waiting on, but for the most
[6:44] part that's been done. um lead service
line plan of action has been started and
[6:50] we plan on getting that report tight or
finalized and submitted with the funding
[6:54] application later this month. I'm sure
at the 18th uh meeting we'll we'll go
[6:58] over that with city staff um what that
plan of action report is like. Um, our
[7:05] survey crew will be out later this or
next week sometime actually to do the
[7:11] the topographic survey of the West Main
Waterloop and then I I told our informed
[7:16] the city staff of the there's two land
own private land owners that we'll be
[7:20] going through West Liberty Heritage
Foundation and uh Gary's and we'll be
[7:25] working with them make sure that we got
permit that they are know that we're
[7:29] going to have people on their property
doing topographic survey and that way we
[7:32] can notify them that we're going to need
a 20 ft utility easement through that
[7:36] section of land for future maintenance
of the water man.
[7:41] And then the the last piece with that is
um I think they finished up the day our
[7:47] interns getting all the rest of the city
utility GIS collection. So um they did
[7:52] it Monday through Wednesday last week
and then the cellular data went out on
[7:56] them. So they they had to stop midday
last Wednesday and then they were out
[8:00] yesterday and today and got done around
lunchtime it sounds like. So we're going
[8:04] to work with uh Magic our uh the people
in Musket team to get your your GIS data
[8:10] or mapping updated with all that new
data in there. So that will help out
[8:14] with the hydraulic water model too. Uh
wastewater um the big one is is that uh
[8:19] it's been about a year since we started
monitoring the phenol. So, I'm going to
[8:24] get all that data collected or compiled
later this month um and have that ready
[8:29] sent over to to Craig over at the
wastewater department and city staff,
[8:32] but I don't imagine there will be much
out of there. I think it will show that
[8:36] you're doing just fine with phenols. So,
hopefully we're able to remove that from
[8:40] your your permit, that compliance
schedule, and we don't have to do
[8:43] anything further with that. That's
that's the hope anyways.
[8:47] And then um the big action items, like I
said, uh we got the construction website
[8:52] completed.
Um the final draft is completed for the
[8:57] West Liberty pool. I sent that over,
didn't I?
[9:00] » I did.
>> Okay. And then uh
[9:04] the uh schedule for West Liberty 6
Street, we're we're continually
[9:08] updating. And then the big one is is
meeting regarding the hydraulic water
[9:12] model lead service line. And then we're
in September, I would imagine we're
[9:17] going to get together and start talking
about the the sewer collection modeling
[9:20] because of all the rain that's been
become a top of mind priority also. Um
[9:25] anytime it rains like this that
sometimes gets brought back to the top.
[9:29] So
>> yeah,
[9:30] » but that that's more just scoping and
understanding what what is needed there.
[9:34] So um we can do something in the future
regarding that.
[9:39] » Other than that, not much else. Any
questions?
[9:42] » Yeah, question for council. I have a
question.
[9:44] » Yeah.
>> Um, so on Sixth Street, all those trees
[9:48] that you all cut down, will those stumps
be removed?
[9:51] » Yeah. So when they get get in and start
doing the work, they'll they'll pull out
[9:54] the excavating and everything. They'll
pull out those stumps. They're not going
[9:57] to leave the stumps just
>> yay high. They're going to pull out the
[10:00] » street to Columbus. If that street
section won't be done until next year,
[10:05] will they take care of the stumps before
winter when they do the street?
[10:10] » I will ask. I I guess I'll ask. That
might be a question for the property
[10:14] owners that they want because they'll
pull those out and then they'll have to
[10:17] do some temporary grading and seating if
you'd want that disturbance this year or
[10:21] if you want to wait till just when
everything's going to be disturbed. It
[10:24] doesn't really matter to me and I think
the contractor will do whatever is in
[10:28] the interest.
>> Just been curious. So,
[10:31] » I can I I'll I'll add that to the
website and let them know if you'd like
[10:38] it removed this year um for the sections
that aren't going to be done this year
[10:41] to contact city hall and we can make
sure the contractor gets that done this
[10:45] year.
So,
[10:47] » took my dad down that street last
weekend. Oh my god, what happened? Did a
[10:51] tornado come through?
>> It looks It looks different. That's for
[10:55] sure.
>> Where did all the trees go?
[10:57] » Yeah. Yeah,
>> it does look a lot different. Yeah.
[11:00] » Problem is is leaving the trees and then
digging sidewalks and utilities and
[11:05] disturbing the roots. They you would
have ended up with a lot of dead trees.
[11:08] So
>> Oh, yeah. I'm sure. I know. They It was
[11:11] » We We've had communities that want to do
that and then you're four or five years
[11:16] later they're removing all the trees
because they're just dying. So, it's an
[11:20] unfortunate process that you have to
deal with with street reconstruction. I
[11:23] wish I wish you could save them, but
when they're that big and established,
[11:27] it's just hard to
>> Right. Yeah. and making it look nice at
[11:30] the end. And that's really everyone's
goal at the end of the project.
[11:35] » Okay, no other questions. Thank you very
much.
[11:38] » Thank you.
>> All right, city manager.
[11:41] » Um I'm just going to build off um just
give a verbal update um because a lot of
[11:46] the things that I have coordinate with
what um the city and the mayor is
[11:51] providing to you. Um, in addition to
those items that we've all been working
[11:56] on, I think we're down to about a dozen
easements that we've not been able to
[12:01] get. And so, um, so Eddie and I met
today and we we've got a plan in place
[12:07] and, um, and some of them are because
they're, um, they're a commercial owner
[12:14] on property and so it's just trying to
connect with them to get that finished
[12:18] up. and thank you for assisting on those
residential uh questions. Yeah.
[12:25] » Yeah. So, um so I appreciate he he took
on that task and his manage it. So, for
[12:32] the public, I mean there if you haven't
signed it, we're going to be, you know,
[12:36] following up to get those completed
soon. Um then in addition to that, I've
[12:41] been working on um uh updating the
police chief's job description and
[12:46] putting together a recruitment packet.
And we'll be talking more about that in
[12:50] the meeting. On the economic development
side, we have started the process of
[12:55] annexation for what's known as the
harvest housing development. Um that is
[13:02] formerly on the Dor property, but it's
now owned by um uh the Doppel family.
[13:07] And so we've started that process this
Friday. We have a consultation meeting
[13:12] with the supervisors, musketine county
supervisors and the wsy trustees um and
[13:18] we'll go over that information um to
start going through the rest of the
[13:23] process of annexation. Um life raft.
Yes. um they they knew that you guys you
[13:30] was working with them on the storm water
stuff and so they have all the permit
[13:35] documents that they need to complete. um
based on our conversations we've had um
[13:41] they're happy and they feel as though I
mean the mayor can tell you any
[13:44] differently but um they're they're happy
with the process and feel that they're
[13:48] on track with the schedule um that they
were looking to have in order to get um
[13:55] the construction going on the facility.
Um and then with uh Deepoo Chalk um
[14:01] we're currently just waiting for um it's
being communicated um requesting TIFF
[14:08] the infrastructure and so we're waiting
on the application uh so that way we can
[14:13] start the urban renewal process and a
development agreement um because that's
[14:18] a lengthy process and with public
meetings that will have to be completed
[14:21] on that as well. Um we're continuing to
work with Westbury Foods um as we are um
[14:28] really needing to move into our SRF
bonding for the project number two uh
[14:34] for the wastewater treatment. And so um
really hoping that we can get that
[14:40] wrapped up so we can um possibly on the
18th post for um a public hearing for
[14:45] ESSA bonding. Um and
outside of that, um
[14:54] the clerk has just reported that um
right now they have um some staffing uh
[15:00] levels that um with individuals taking
vacations in the summer. So just please
[15:06] be aware that you know we may only have
one person, you know, at the front. Um
[15:11] but um they the clerk and the utility
clerk are supporting where they can. Um
[15:17] in addition to that um the clerk has
continued to work in um getting through
[15:22] reconciliation
um and is working quite rapidly. So we
[15:26] should have updated funding reports here
in the near future. Um and outside of
[15:32] that I think that's all I have right now
unless council has any questions. I just
[15:37] want to add uh I've been to several of
the meetings that Lee's had with Life
[15:42] and has been working very closely and
very diligently on that.
[15:49] » Get them built and get some jobs.
>> Yes. Right.
[15:52] » That's the key.
>> Are there other questions for the city
[15:57] manager?
>> Um public safety. So I think
[16:03] » council member Schultz or you
>> Yes. We met last week uh to go over
[16:10] matters for Hood Police Department and
the recruitment of a police chief. Uh
[16:15] there is a full memo in our packet
that's provided. Um we discussed
[16:24] um kind of our main priority is what
we're looking for police chief, how to
[16:28] get there, how to attract that. We
discussed kind of the pay sale for that
[16:33] um to attract what we're looking for
which
[16:38] um it's in there. Um
so much knowledge and assistance from
[16:45] our partners at the Musk County
Sheriff's Office and the Musking Police
[16:50] Department. Their their assistance is
it's it's great and very appreciated.
[16:55] So, um, our focus is to get the
recruitment
[17:01] going and hopefully attract some good
leadership individuals that can lead you
[17:09] to love.
>> Yeah. All right. Thanks. Other questions
[17:12] for council member?
>> Okay.
[17:15] » And council member Freak has anything to
add.
[17:17] » Oh, yeah. Great. Sorry.
>> No, you summed it up pretty well. I
[17:20] think a good thing also established the
timeline of when we want this stuff to
[17:26] happen. So they they've been pretty
aggressive with that. So maybe hopefully
[17:29] in here in a couple months we'll it'll
happen. We'll have something settled.
[17:36] » All right. Are there reports from
council members?
[17:40] » Uh I have a couple here. Yeah,
>> I did after our last meeting I did meet
[17:45] with um Clerk Pulpert and she showed me
a bit of in code and kind of the ins and
[17:50] outs of that and kind of what city staff
views. I also met with um library
[17:55] director Alec Parsons and she showed me
on her end as well. Um it's interesting
[18:00] so I encourage anybody on council just
to see what they are and the process and
[18:05] policy that we um went through at the
last meeting and how it works alongside
[18:10] with them. Um, I did also meet with
utility billing quick Melissa. Um, she
[18:18] helped show me the new utility online
profile that's available for the
[18:22] community members. Um, I went in and
signed up and it's I mean it's great.
[18:28] See it all there. Easy to log in, get
that going. Um, and I did also meet with
[18:35] librarian NI as well and she showed me
some of the work she's doing with the
[18:39] internet.
um alongside with Ricky and Lee and Seth
[18:46] and
[18:50] » other council members.
[18:54] » All right, we will move on to item 5A,
vendor voucher claim list number one in
[19:02] the amount of $514,20012.
[19:08] Is there a motion to approve?
Motion to approve. Second
[19:12] » and it's been moved and seconded. Is
there discussion?
[19:16] Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I.
[19:20] » Those opposed? Nay. The eyes have it.
And we will move to 5B library preplay
[19:27] paid claim list in the amount of
$4,683.73.
[19:34] Is there a motion to approve?
>> Motion to approve. Is there a second?
[19:37] Second.
Is there discussion?
[19:43] Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. Those opposed, nay. The
[19:48] eyes have it. And we move to item number
six, which is public comments and/or
[19:53] correspondence. And it's a time in our
agenda where folks can um talk on um
[19:59] issues that are not on the agenda. No
action can be taken. Um, and we ask that
[20:05] you state your name and address for the
record and keep your comments to no more
[20:10] than 2 minutes. Are there any public
comments?
[20:15] Are there any public comments?
Are there any public comments?
[20:21] Hearing none, uh, we will move on to,
um, city council member public comments
[20:27] and correspondence. We'll start with
council member Martinez. I don't have
[20:31] any time.
[20:34] » I had a few mentions of more flooding
and standing water, especially after our
[20:40] heavy rain recently down at the curve of
8th Street by the entrance to um Harold
[20:48] auction lot down there.
>> Okay.
[20:51] » I wasn't sure I was going to check in on
this, but I'm assuming that area will be
[20:55] worked with once development is maybe
going possibly. It's in line with what
[21:01] um you know I can't speak for the street
but um a bigger part of that is is that
[21:07] it's underdeveloped.
So um so there's no existing drainage. I
[21:12] think there is there is one uh patch
that's in there but it's you know I I
[21:20] can't say that it's probably not it's
probably not working properly because
[21:24] it's it's under construction and with
the dirt movement. Um but once it get
[21:30] then it will it's required to have storm
water curve and gutter. Um that should
[21:35] and that's part of what um the city and
engineer what they're looking at is
[21:40] identifying you know the impact of uh
the water and the collections within
[21:45] that housing development.
>> So around that corner we'll hopefully
[21:49] see those issues
that true intersection. It's going to be
[21:53] a true T intersection as part of the
project and that should lead it. I don't
[21:57] know when you get heavy rains. I'm not
going to sit here and tell you that you
[22:01] three inch rain in an hour, you're going
to have ponding in the street, but
[22:05] you're you're trying to localize it and
then it drains away at a decent rate.
[22:09] So, but you shouldn't see the the
flooding that you have currently. It
[22:12] should improve with the the T
intersection and the storm sewer
[22:15] infrastructure. And then they also have
a pond there that they're going to
[22:18] provide some relief to the storm sewer
system to detain the water for a period
[22:22] of time before it goes out the outlet to
the creek. Very good.
[22:27] » And we do have um and we do have a
preliminary
[22:32] um kind of a pre preliminary design. So
if you wanted to take a look or if
[22:38] you're interested in taking a look at
it, we can we can provide that. Again,
[22:42] it it just shows more of the retention
pond, but it doesn't get into the
[22:45] infrastructure so much. I know nothing
because they'll change that
[22:50] intersection.
>> To give you kind of an idea, I'm trying
[22:53] to think of how to say this where it
makes sense, but the runoff from that
[22:58] area that's being developed, what they
do is they take it from like your
[23:02] 100redyear pre-developed rate that would
be leaving that site. they have to size
[23:07] their their detention and everything on
site to keep that same rate leaving
[23:12] leaving leaving the site after it's
developed with all the streets and the
[23:15] impervious area that you're adding to
it. So that's why they have the pond
[23:18] there to help detain that water for a
period of time and that way you're not
[23:21] having to size your storm sewer so large
that it becomes so costly and um not not
[23:27] able to construct it because it's too
costly to be able to do that. So
[23:32] » they they provided a storm water report.
So it, like I said, that intersection
[23:36] should be improved. It may not be
perfect, but it's going to be better
[23:39] than what it is today.
[23:43] » That sounds
[23:48] » okay. Council member Dominguez,
>> nothing.
[23:51] » Council member Prazik, I believe.
Okay. uh city manager.
[23:57] » Um I just uh did some follow-ups with
some of the public that had questions
[24:01] about the pool and um notify them that
we will have a work session on August
[24:06] 18th um at 5:30. Um I did receive that
report and so staff was going to review
[24:13] that and the plan will be to send that
out to council prior to the work session
[24:18] to give you time to review it so you can
be best prepared um with any questions
[24:22] that we could get over to Lenny. um to
just be most efficient with the time
[24:27] that we have during the work session. Um
likewise um I wanted to follow up with
[24:34] so we were able to we did have the stop
sign um placed back on Spencer and third
[24:40] and then um we completed um I'm looking
at council member Schultz because these
[24:46] are some things that we had talked
about. we were able to complete um one
[24:51] of the uh one of the nuisances
um that we had talked about and so that
[24:58] should be things they should be moved
and should be uh in a better position
[25:02] with that residence and then the other
thing is is that um still working with
[25:07] our staff about um the questions with
regards to the parking um here at the
[25:13] park. So, just wanted to give you a
followup on that.
[25:17] That's all I know.
>> Okay. Uh, city clerk,
[25:20] » you know.
>> Okay. All right. So, then we will move
[25:24] on to uh item number 7A, which is
discussion and appropriate action by the
[25:30] city council on the West Liberty Police
Department and timetable for police
[25:36] chief hiring. Um, and so we'll have
discussion, motion, uh, consent vote on
[25:41] this. Um and council member Schultz I
think has already pointed out quite a
[25:47] bit of the work and added to by council
member Greasy. So um open that up for
[25:53] discussion.
[25:59] There's no discussion. Is there a
motion?
[26:02] » Motion to approve.
>> Second.
[26:05] » Okay. So we'll proceed with the
>> report and the Yeah. Okay.
[26:10] » All right. Um then it's a consent vote.
So all in favor signify by saying I. I.
[26:16] » Those opposed nay. The eyes have it. And
we will move on to resolution 2026804
[26:25] 374.
A resolution approving a maintenance
[26:29] service agreement with Firefly
Reliability LLC for solar turbine uh
[26:35] units five and six. Um is there a motion
to approve? Motion.
[26:42] » Is there a second?
>> Second.
[26:44] » Been moved and seconded. Is there
discussion? There's a report in the
[26:47] packet.
>> I had a question.
[26:49] » Sure.
>> Was there was was a RFP put out or or
[26:54] like was there a bid put out for this?
Um we were able to identify um not
[27:00] having an RFP because it's a limited
scope. Um, this is a company that was
[27:06] recommended by Solar, who we contract to
maintenance
[27:11] uh, turbines and because we've got a
limited scope of um, folks that do this.
[27:18] Um, and because they work directly with
Solar um, that is why we didn't send out
[27:24] an RFP on this situation.
>> Um,
[27:27] » I just wanted to make sure when we get
audited that we have the justification.
[27:31] » Yep. We have that. we have that record
identified as far as the the limited
[27:36] scope of the work um specific to this.
So, and in and again it's unfortunate
[27:42] but we wouldn't typically be looking at
that cost but the maintenance had not
[27:48] been done um for such a period of time
that it's it's that's why we're looking
[27:54] at that cost in order to get the the
turbines up and uh working properly.
[28:00] Have we I don't really And I know Cody's
not here, but have we used the turbines
[28:07] or is this
>> Yes.
[28:08] » Yeah, we've been generating.
>> We've been generating um honestly almost
[28:13] on a weekly basis
um especially through the whole month of
[28:18] July um and most of June. I mean early
on um when we had the heat started
[28:23] coming, we we started generating. So
yeah, in the last few weeks we've we've
[28:28] generated quite a bit.
>> Um we just haven't we were talking about
[28:33] it today. So um I'll follow up with Cody
and we can get a total hour of
[28:38] generations over the past three months
and get that in my city manager report
[28:42] on the 18th for you.
>> Going forth, we're going to have a
[28:47] better maintenance
>> uh plan like a yearly, maybe an annual
[28:51] so it doesn't hit us quite as bad on the
property.
[28:54] » Yeah. Okay.
>> Yes,
[28:57] » that's where a lot of these things are
being um identified as the
[29:01] superintendent is working through um and
identifying that you know that these
[29:08] were in reports from Solar who handles
um the contract of our maintenance uh
[29:14] but um but they hadn't been
>> Yeah. And now now we have a process in
[29:20] place. Yes. And did did we get like a
more specific detail of why it's so much
[29:28] like what the
pieces are used or is it labor mostly or
[29:35] um so or was it just like yep here's how
much it's going to
[29:40] » No, we have the
>> Yeah, I apologize. I thought I had
[29:44] placed the
>> As long as you have it.
[29:46] » Yeah. No, we we got the quote where it
um where it the identify and it it
[29:54] breaks it down and and provides us the
details. I mean the bigger part of it is
[29:59] is um you know the things that they've
identified that it needs to be
[30:04] maintenance the oil changing you know um
similar to your vehicle when you take it
[30:10] in and you have to have all the fluids
flushed all the the oil changed and you
[30:16] know there's things that are wore out on
it then they have to be replaced and so
[30:21] the amount there is based on the
estimate that they see and contingent on
[30:26] work that's possibly going to be there.
So hopefully it comes in less. But yeah,
[30:32] and it says like potential monthly
rental fee on month two
[30:37] » is $9,000 a month.
>> Yeah. And that's be because if if they
[30:43] run into issues
um during this period when they're doing
[30:48] that, they are disclosing that um the
rental of that equipment. It's that's
[30:54] the amount that it's based on. if they
have to run into additional time
[30:58] depending on what they get into when
they tear it open.
[31:01] » Yeah. And that's why it's a very
limited, you know, a company and and the
[31:07] scope of work that they're going to be
doing. It's it's just it's very limited
[31:11] to these individuals. So,
>> why is there freight to be determined?
[31:16] » What's that?
>> Freight cost. Why is that? Why don't
[31:19] they have cost
on their Yeah. and bring it in and take
[31:25] them out.
>> It's dependent on bringing it in and
[31:27] when they fully once they Yeah.
>> Yeah. How much what what equipment is
[31:32] going to be need or parts are going to
be needed for replacement. So it's an
[31:37] unknown.
>> Yeah. The estimate you're looking at is
[31:41] again they're basing that off of um a
total cost. Um they say to be
[31:47] determined, but there's an estimate in
there that they're figuring on. they
[31:52] just don't they're not going to come
right out and say it's x amount of
[31:56] dollars when the market on that, you
know, could change the volume could
[32:01] change. Um,
yeah, I apologize. I wasn't prepared for
[32:07] some of the questions we could have had
asked Cody, but yeah, I can I can go
[32:12] back and speak with him a little bit
more if we need a followup. It makes me
[32:17] nervous when it's such a high dollar
amount and there's not any range, right?
[32:22] Like just to and then
>> I do.
[32:26] » Yeah, I apologize. I I have the itemized
document, but um I did not get it
[32:32] attached in the packet. So,
>> okay.
[32:38] » I mean, basically the description is
condensed of what they're doing. Um, I
[32:44] can have
I can work with Cody. I mean, like I
[32:48] said, unfortunately, I wasn't prepared.
Um, but I can work with him and and
[32:53] provide some more information on it. At
the end of the day, it has to be done.
[32:58] And it's unfortunate that it's going to
cost that. But this is us, you know,
[33:03] moving forward to make sure our turbines
are functioning because right now
[33:08] they're running into issues. So they um
had we not been having issues due to
[33:14] this lack of maintenance
um there's a possibility that our
[33:19] generation would have been more smoothly
and we would have been able to operate
[33:22] more hours in generation but because of
the maintenance that is needed it does
[33:29] impact you know a timeline of
generation. it causes, you know, other
[33:35] issues that could cost repair costs,
replacement costs, and administry of
[33:40] time. And so, this is the most effective
way. Um, and unfortunately, when it
[33:45] comes to these pieces of equipment,
um, there's not much you can do that's
[33:51] not going to be
>> Well, there's two of them, too. So, take
[33:55] that cost and put them towards two
units.
[34:00] » Yes.
>> Yeah.
[34:03] So, did they come and inspect it?
>> Yes. Um, we have a contract with Solar
[34:08] is the company we contract with and they
do um they do they have a routine
[34:14] maintenance where they come in and they
audit, they test um and again that would
[34:21] be something Cody can provide you
because it's a it's a it's a pretty
[34:26] extensive
so they they're used to coming in and
[34:31] inspecting but we this is the first time
that we've seen that we need to loop up.
[34:36] » No, we've had it in previous reports.
Um, this is this is the time where the
[34:42] superintendent is working through those
reports
[34:45] » um and aligning it with the issues.
Yeah. And aligning it with the issues
[34:50] that we've been seeing that that's been
reoccurring with um the equipment and
[34:57] reviewing and going back through
archived audit reports. um it's helped
[35:03] them identify and then reaching out to
solar and getting their recommendations
[35:08] because there's a limited you know
there's a limited in uh companies that
[35:14] can do these certain things on these
types of turbines and so um
[35:21] » and again uh knowing that they work with
solar in align with you know what
[35:28] they're what they're recommending that
needs to be corrected in in order to
[35:32] make them work
um as they should.
[35:39] » All right. Are there other questions?
Hearing none, the clerk will call the
[35:43] role.
>> Martinez,
[35:45] » yes.
>> Freezek,
[35:46] » yes.
>> McFaren,
[35:48] » yes.
>> Schultz,
[35:50] » yes.
>> Dominguez,
[35:52] » yes.
>> Motion passes 5-0.
[35:56] All right, we are now to 7C resolution
20260804
[36:04] 375. A resolution establishing and
identifying the locations of official
[36:10] traffic control and regulatory sign
within the city of West Liberty. Is
[36:15] there a motion to approve?
>> Motion to approve.
[36:19] » Is there a second?
>> Is there discussion? long list in the of
[36:25] signs in the community on part of the
packet that I
[36:28] » is this something that we've done before
that I've never seen like or is this
[36:33] something new that we're doing to
approve all these locations? So, so it
[36:39] is something that is required of us to
be able to have. Our public works
[36:43] director has always had the listing. The
city council has never approved it by
[36:48] resolution. Um and while working with
the codifier, he said that is something
[36:52] that we need to have on file. So that's
why it's coming before you tonight so
[36:55] that we can get that implemented and
then if any changes are made, there will
[37:00] just be amendments made to this
resolution um moving forward for years
[37:05] to come. Nobody will have to rewrite the
entire thing. There will just be
[37:08] amendments to it.
>> Okay. Thank you.
[37:13] » Is there further discussion, questions?
Hearing none, the clerk will call the
[37:18] role.
>> Schultz,
[37:20] » yes.
>> McFaren,
[37:22] » yes.
>> Griez,
[37:24] » yes.
>> Dominguez,
[37:26] » yes.
>> Martinez,
[37:27] » yes.
>> Motion passes 5-0.
[37:30] All right, we are to 7D resolution
20260804-EN
[37:37] 376, a resolution approving the
leadership assessment and training
[37:43] proposal for leadership development and
management training within the city of
[37:47] West Liberty. Is there a motion to
approve?
[37:51] » Motion to approve.
>> Is there a second?
[37:53] » Second.
>> It's been moved and seconded. We're now
[37:56] open for discussion and we have Terry
with us. uh via um u our audio visual
[38:04] and could answer questions too. So
questions from council
[38:12] » you guys are easy. Hello. [laughter]
[38:18] » Yes.
>> Um I guess my biggest question is like
[38:22] do you feel that there's people in
certain positions that want to move up
[38:25] the ladder just kind of where you mean
help that? Is that what you're asking?
[38:31] » Yeah.
>> Oh, yeah. So, one of the things I really
[38:34] would like to mention, too, is it
doesn't always it doesn't only help
[38:38] people who are um currently managing
people, but also this team. Um it could
[38:46] it could help those who are um
potentially wanting to be promoted. But
[38:50] I believe the participants are those
that are currently in a um manager and
[38:56] department manager positions. Am I
correctly? I think that's what was
[39:00] determined.
>> Yeah. So, yes, the answer that's a long
[39:04] answer to, but yes.
[39:09] And just um
recently um with going through
[39:14] performance evaluations
um some um HR housekeeping
[39:21] um there are some the things that are
have been identified
[39:26] um is looking at training for our
management team. um that the bigger part
[39:35] is, you know, communication.
Um you know, are we getting it right,
[39:40] are we getting it wrong? Um we don't
always know until something arises
[39:45] where, you know, it's easy for us to
say, "Oh, clearly there's a breakdown in
[39:49] communication. How do we resolve that?"
And so a bigger part of it again there
[39:54] could be additional things identified as
you know Terry's proposing here with how
[40:00] we handle this but what's complicated is
is that when you take a group out to a
[40:05] large training you're not able to
specifically identify within your
[40:11] organization
you know what are the pieces that best
[40:14] fit you know how you operate or what
improvements or what training is missing
[40:20] or are you doing it Right. And so this
provides us a opportunity
[40:26] um that will I think on multiple ways
connect um our supervis supervisors, our
[40:34] management. Um there's opportunities
that includes um council leadership as
[40:40] well. Um we've talked about that. So
this again brings in um a qualified
[40:46] individual to essentially uh get an
assessment and then make some
[40:51] recommendations based on um what they
have um from the training capabilities
[40:58] um that's provided here and um and see
what we can do with that. So again, I
[41:04] mean
it it is uh we have all these tools and
[41:10] you know it's still a challenge to
communicate. Um so we we need some
[41:15] assistance on how to you know and some
training on how we can identify best to
[41:20] use you know all these things we have to
communicate
[41:24] » training will
here in West Liberty not we won't have
[41:30] to travel staff will not have to travel
outside of West Liberty to
[41:35] » so based on um and I can also we can let
Terry answer um but within our proposal
[41:42] I mean it's starting off with interviews
so she can interview individuals to get
[41:46] an idea of the areas and and things and
then um Terry then if you wanted to
[41:52] answer you know your your training
techniques or how you know what we've
[41:58] talked about um from as once we identify
training or you know that additional
[42:07] steps here with your recommendations.
So to answer your question, no, it would
[42:13] be happening in West Liberty so that um
people wouldn't have to travel because
[42:17] nobody wants to travel, right? I get it.
Um and I really like to involve city
[42:23] council. I've done this a lot in the
past. I've had a business for 29 years
[42:27] and my background is in HR. So, um, I
really want to hear, as Lee mentioned,
[42:34] all of the issues and things that you
think are needed as well to help put
[42:38] this training together because it's
really easy for me to come in and go,
[42:42] "Oh, of course, it's accountability.
It's communication. It's that." Well, is
[42:46] it really? So I after hearing what all
of you have to share, the mayor, Lee,
[42:55] your department managers, then I'll put
something together to say here's what I
[43:00] propose in terms of what the training
would look like. And then um and then
[43:05] you would say yay or nay. And my goal is
always most bang for your buck. So a lot
[43:11] of people always tell me communication
but I find out it's like conflict
[43:15] resolution and you know the umbrella of
communication is this big and so really
[43:21] identifying what that looks like. The
other thing that I mentioned to Lee
[43:25] that's pro and I think to to the mayor
as well but um I think it would be very
[43:31] helpful to have for the first training
the city council be part of that because
[43:36] I like to do this colors training. I
don't know if any of you have done that
[43:39] before, but it's very helpful in
understanding who you're working with.
[43:44] And that would again that's the more
bang for your buck get everybody
[43:48] together and then that's when I would
present like hey overall this is what
[43:52] I'm hearing and so this is why I chose
and we chose right to do these
[43:58] particular topics. So I've done this a
lot. Sometimes what comes out of it is
[44:03] there's one-on-one coaching needed. So,
I um allowed for some of those hours. I
[44:09] would never go over any of this, but if
I find that there's a bigger issue than
[44:12] we think, I might come back and say,
"Hey, here's some additional things we
[44:17] might need." But I usually stay within
or below. I mean, I I don't like to come
[44:22] in. That's not my goal. I've worked with
lots of cities, lots of counties, uh and
[44:27] private sector as well, and I just want
people to walk away and see maybe change
[44:32] behavior if that's what's needed. Um,
and then I go away. So all of you have
[44:37] to hold each other and others
accountable. So it's fun. I mean, people
[44:41] hear training and they go, "Oh." But
it's like real life things. It's real
[44:45] life situations. It's real life
information. So
[44:50] ask anything you want. If I didn't share
anything that that maybe you want to
[44:54] know or that wasn't in here,
>> let me check for additional questions
[45:00] from the council.
Hearing none, the clerk will call the
[45:04] role.
>> McFaren,
[45:07] » yes.
>> Schultz,
[45:08] » yes.
>> Martinez,
[45:10] » yes.
>> Freezik,
[45:12] » yes.
>> Dominguez,
[45:13] » yes.
>> Motion passes 50.
[45:16] » Next up is resolution uh 7E. Resolution
20260804-377,
[45:26] a resolution approving an electrical
utility evaluation agreement with Leam
[45:32] Irwin uh and uh Goldson
and Associates uh LB/
[45:41] Alev
Energy Advisors and authorizing
[45:46] execution of the agreement in the city
of West Liberty. Is there a motion to
[45:50] approve?
>> Motion to approve.
[45:52] » Is there a second?
>> Second. Is there discussion?
[45:56] » So, is this different than when we've
had other studies? Like the company is
[46:03] different?
>> No. No. We've worked with um LeB before
[46:08] um on uh an additional
study that they performed. Um now I'm
[46:15] trying to go back and I believe it it
had something to do with our our in
[46:20] connect and our um those things that
we're discussing and the bigger part of
[46:25] it was um the RPGI relationship
>> um between the city and um and and
[46:33] identifying you know future or talking
about how that relationship is. Um we
[46:38] haven't haven't moved uh any further on
those pieces yet. We do have a utility
[46:44] committee meeting on Monday night where
we'll be talking about those items a
[46:48] little bit more. In addition to this,
um, uh, some years ago or a few years
[46:55] ago, um, we had a utility committee
meeting. Um it was still on the table
[47:00] that there needed to be um the work of
looking at the sustainability
[47:08] » um and um any recommendations as far as
staffing sustainability of managing a
[47:17] utility um ourselves. Um what are the
options out there? um what is the you
[47:24] know the the growing cost just like we
were talking about for the equipment,
[47:30] the infrastructure placement and that um
you know the bigger goal here is knowing
[47:36] that we have so much of this to do um
and not wanting to put more cost burden
[47:41] on the utility customer. um with having
a limited customer base and um this will
[47:49] also you know potentially identify you
know growth and what is our potential
[47:54] with growth um but
>> I don't know if the mayor has anything
[47:59] else also looking at what is the
generation capabilities that we've been
[48:04] talking about
>> um and those things
[48:07] » this this uh really came out of uh two
different conversations with uh Amy
[48:13] Rezner, our uh attorney on this, and um
she recommended that we look at a couple
[48:19] of different things. One is the IM AU, I
believe I've got the initials correct on
[48:25] that, but I don't remember what it said.
>> Iowa Municipal Utility Association.
[48:28] » Thank you. Uh which is the munis. Um and
there are
[48:34] 147 members of uh that communities that
have that. And so I've talked with Troy
[48:41] who's the director of um that uh uh
program. He'll be coming in and looking
[48:47] at this uh and then uh we'll do this as
well. And really goes back to that
[48:52] utility meeting that was held several
years ago. Um, and as I've talked to
[48:58] both entities, um, my I have one
criterion for this, and that's that we
[49:04] come out of these, uh, studies with
recommendations that are best for the
[49:09] people who call West Liberty home.
>> And will that include renewable
[49:14] solutions as well? Because we don't
allow people to have options for
[49:20] renewable. So like even putting in the
study of how it would impact like would
[49:24] it be better for us to maintain our
utility or would it be harder for us to
[49:29] you know like I would love to see that
as well. Um I think we'd have to go back
[49:34] and identify
um that as an additional scope. This is
[49:40] more like talking about the existing. If
you're talking about individuals
[49:44] requesting solar solar, um that really
is that we're not we're not telling them
[49:50] no, we just do not have the process. And
that's just some more followup with our
[49:56] electric superintendent.
Um and it has to be able to work in our
[50:02] meters and our billing system. And so
what about our ability to upgrade in the
[50:08] future to for solar? Um again there are
communities that are you know investing
[50:15] in that.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
[50:18] » There are several and part of that is
what we have available for land. But I
[50:24] what I'm hearing from the city manager
is what I believe is that some that part
[50:29] we can do internally. Yeah. Here. Yeah.
>> Uh and we do have uh
[50:35] » in January I I never get their name
correct. We've been working with them on
[50:40] the county that they're coming in and
doing more solar.
[50:46] » Um,
>> so yeah, I'm I'm all uh the the
[50:52] estimates are that electric rates are
going to continue to climb and that uh
[50:58] I'm certainly open to anything and
everything that keeps uh our rates as
[51:03] affordable as possible for uh folks in
this community. And we're talking about
[51:08] a fairly uh landlocked
>> established area. Uh the recence
[51:16] um uh frankly you just don't mess with
their territories and
[51:22] » um yeah I mean they're very again
territory for electric utility use
[51:27] difficult to you know request a change.
I um big the I just to follow up with
[51:34] what you're asking council membering is
um those conversations have come up but
[51:39] it really also identifies the future
relationship with RPGI
[51:44] um because of our relationship with the
RPGI and our agreements um you know we
[51:50] have the generation so it um also
potentially can limit us to what we can
[51:58] um what we can build on
the one that we voted to terminate the
[52:05] contract.
>> No,
[52:06] » that's the co-op.
>> That's the interactive.
[52:10] » Yeah, that was the
that was the arrangement for uh for the
[52:16] industrial park, I think is what you're
referencing. Yeah. But we have we we've
[52:22] discussed our relationship with the RPGI
but we have not taken any action on
[52:29] that.
>> That is we have to make a decision
[52:32] within um the next year um about that
relationship. Um and that's our
[52:39] contractual agreement of buying as a
wholesale. That's our wholesale
[52:44] provider.
>> Yeah, I thought we voted on that
[52:46] already.
>> No. um the interconnect agreement um we
[52:49] did for the purpose we provide um the
power to the industrial park and so we
[52:57] um council needed to discontinue that
agreement in order to one either
[53:03] establish a new agreement
>> or two just discontinue that so the
[53:09] alliance
>> would have either put the capital
[53:12] investment into the to the
>> at this part I think you are talking
[53:17] about things that would be included in
the work of both of these entities
[53:22] working with us on what in the end of
the day is the best for the people here.
[53:30] » Yep. We'll just want to make sure we go
back is what I'm trying to say is we'll
[53:34] just want to make sure that we go back
and um be clear about what we're what
[53:41] council
um that we're directing. And again,
[53:44] we're going to have a utility committee
conversation on Monday. And so that way
[53:50] we're very clear with them when they
start working through these studies that
[53:55] we're making sure that we're collecting,
you know, the data that that we're
[54:01] wanting to have um to answer these
questions.
[54:06] So So I'm going to make a note of that.
>> Is there further discussion?
[54:12] Hearing
none, the clerk will call the role.
[54:16] » Rezac,
>> yes.
[54:18] » McFaren,
>> yes.
[54:20] » Schultz,
>> yes.
[54:21] » Martinez,
>> yes.
[54:23] » Dominguez,
>> yes.
[54:24] » Motion passes 5-0.
>> We are to item 7F, which is to set the
[54:31] public hearing on the budget amendment
for August 18th, our next council
[54:36] meeting.
>> Any objection?
[54:40] » All right, we will do that. Um so then
we are to item um 7G which is preview of
[54:47] the August 18th council meeting and uh I
think the important thing is a work uh
[54:53] session uh at 5:30 uh talking with the
pool or talking about the pool and uh
[54:59] the report that staff has received. So
other than that I think that's normal
[55:04] business. I will say uh that September
1st council meeting um I will be out of
[55:11] the country so don't miss that. Um then
also u preference for return next week.
[55:20] Uh we have been delayed on completing
Lee's evaluation. I wanted to get some
[55:26] other things out of the way. So, I have
uh blank forms for council members to
[55:31] fill out and return to me uh by the next
meeting, please.
[55:38] With that, is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion to adjurnn.
[55:44] » Thank you. Is there discussion?
Hearing none. All in favor signify by
[55:49] saying I. Those opposed nay. The eyes
have it and we are joined.