MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING and TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING FOR THE CITY OF HILLSDECEMBER 14, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the truth-in-taxation hearing and regular meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Dana Dahlquist, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer, Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: Rich Crawford-Vantek Communications, and Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the minutes of November 9th. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the November expenditures: General $8,751.47; Park $1,020.47; Fire $371.63; Street $3,838.39; Legion $327.69; Sewer $1,282.72; Garbage $2,983.08; Recycling $492.35; Water $4,833.01; Baseball $5.49; Softball $11.57. None opposed, motion carried. General Checking $ 60,744.76General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 243,300.81General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03- cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,994.17Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5%, 10/18/03 --cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (prev. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 - inter-fundloan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,401.93Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,416.35Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 22,151.49Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 – account closed andtransferred to EDA checkingSouthern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 281.44Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,248.54EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5/7/05 28,668.82EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 07/04 – inter-fundloan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay off apt. bond - $10,661.76EDA CD#18597, 1.0%, 12/17/04 (renew & int. added each month) 20,319.19EDA CD#18505, 1.0%, 12/22/04 (renew & int. added each month 10,695.47Southern Hills Apartment CD#17759 was transferred to a general fund CD after the Southern Hills Apartment accounts were closed. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to continue with *1.automatic renewals on EDA CD’s #18597 and #18505; and Fire Truck Replacement CD#18237. None opposed, motion carried. Ward reported that he received a certificate for years of service while attending a recent water seminar.Curbside Christmas tree pickup is scheduled for January 3rd – 7th. Ward reported on fire hydrants that are not working properly: the hydrant located at the corner of Hwy. 270 & Main Avenue does not drain down; and hydrants at Second Street & Water Avenue, and Second Street & Summit Avenue have low pressure. Ward was instructed to inform the Fire Dept. of this information.The Council discussed the mechanical problems with the city’s pickup. Council members will begin searching for new and used pickups, and scheduled a special meting for December 20th at 6:00 P.M. to review proposals. The school has taken possession on the garage near the city’s water tower, and provided the City with a certificate of insurance. Ward was instructed to have the electricity to the garage disconnected. The City will not carry fire/wind insurance on the building, only liability under their current policy.Garbage pickup is rescheduled for December 24th & 31st. The Council discussed the newly installed post office boxes along Hwy. 270, and the nearest intersecting street, Main Avenue. They feel it’s a liability issue, due to the nearby crosswalk, traffic off a busy intersecting street, parking along the highway due to various church functions, and the hazard of vehicles parking the opposite direction while picking up mail. The City Council will make the following requests to the Hills Post Office: (1) remove the postal boxes that are currently under construction along Hwy. 270; (2) that no additional boxes be installed along State Highway 270; (3) that the City Council be contacted prior to the installation of postal boxes within the city limits, due to city liability issues; and (4) to inquire whether the lobby of the Post Office could be locked well after 6:00 P.M.No visitors were present for the truth-in-taxation hearing. The Council will certify the adopted property tax levy at a special meeting on December 20th at 6:00 P.M. Rich Crawford of Vantek Communications attended the meeting to discuss the Council’s concern for the installation of radio antennas on the water tower, in that holes were drilled into the roof of the tower, rather than mounted on the railing. The Council requested that Vantek move the antennas to the railing and plug the holes, to be completed in the spring of 2005. The Council also discussed options for replacing and adding two-way radios for city maintenance. Ward inquired about purchasing a base radio for his home, and one additional hand-held radio, both with scanners. The Council agreed to test two hand-held radios, with no scanners, on a trial basis. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to adopt a resolution establishing a capitalization policy and capitalization threshold of $1,000. This policy is set for the purpose of the new reporting requirements associated with GASB 34 as of December 31, 2004. None opposed, motion carried. The Council reviewed information regarding the hiring, wages, and training of school crossing guards The City will contact the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board for their opinion regarding the same. The Council denied the Community Club’s request for a key to the Legion building. Svoboda proposed an approximate 3.103% increase for all city employee wages, and stated each salary per his notations, excluding Mayor and Council salaries. Dahlquist made a motion that the Mayor and Council salaries be included in the proposal. Motion seconded by Svoboda, none opposed, motion carried. Meyer Electric provided the Council with a price breakdown for the volleyball and basketball court wiring. The volleyball association will reimburse the city $44.70 for their portion of the wiring to the volleyball court. Ward inquired about reimbursement for 10 days of unused vacation days. Unused vacation days are either used or paid out at year-end.The Council tabled discussion regarding insufficient fund checks handled as misdemeanors within the city limits, pending information from the County Attorney’s office. The January meeting will be rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 10th at 6:00 p.m.No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M. Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(1-13)