City of Ute Regular Council Meeting April 14, 2025 – City Hall 6:00pm – Monday The Ute City Council met with Mayor Henschen in regular, open session on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 6pm in the Council Chambers with the following council members present: Jimmy Carlson, Josh Gotto, Sue Kelm, Matt Leitz, Ryan Pithan. Also Present: City Clerk Megan Peitsch, Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Carlson. The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Mayor Henschen. Motion by Leitz/Gotto to approve the agenda. All Ayes. MC A signed formal complaint regarding a dog was received from Katelyn Leisinger. Leisinger was not present. Council upon reviewing the complaint, decided to take no further action on the dog complaint beyond the violation letter already sent. A signed formal complaint regarding property and dog nuisances was received from Meghann Sudsbury. Sudsbury was not present. Council upon reviewing the complaint, determined that property and animal control ordinances were violated. Motion by JCarlson/Leitz to send a violation letter with a property abatement date after clean-up days. All Ayes. MC A signed extension request for abatement was received from Sasha Teut-Hollander. Upon reviewing the request, a motion was made by Pithan/JCarlson to grant the 30 day extension. All Ayes. MC. Public Forum had no speakers. Mayor Henschen reported that there were three building permits approved: 404 E 2nd St (wood fence), 309 E 2nd St (Shed), 428 S Day Ave (Garage with covered walkway) Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Carlson shared a general update. The lead service line inventory upcoming required replacements was shared. City Clerk Peitsch presented the following financial reports for the month of March: Cash Report, Treasurer’s Report, Outstanding Transactions, Budget by Function, Bank Reconciliation for Bank 1, and Tax Liabilities. Utility Reconciliation for March was also presented. Receipts for the month of March totaled: $47,216.64. 001 General $17,686.99; 006 Library $50.00; 110 Road Use Tax $3,070.10; 112 Employee Benefits $169.78; 121 Local Option Sales Tax $3,882.57; 600 Water $15,757.07; 601 Water Deposits $100.00; 610 Sewer $6500.13 Motion by Pithan/Leitz to approve the consent agenda consisting of: Approval of March 2025 Bills and Payroll; Approval of City Council Minutes: 03/10/2025 Regular Meeting, 03/31/2025 6pm Special Meeting, 03/31/2025 6:30pm Special Meeting; Approval of March cash report, treasurer’s report, outstanding transactions, budget by function, bank and utility reconciliations as presented by City Clerk. All Ayes. MC Motion by Gotto/Leitz to approve the resolution approving the closing of the Passbook Savings Account at Community Bank (RESOLUTION #2025-10). All Ayes. MC Motion by Leitz/Gotto to approve the resolution establishing fees for improper disposal of trash, electronics, appliances, or hazardous items (RESOLUTION #2025-11). All Ayes. MC Motion by JCarlson/Gotto to send sidewalk letters to all property owners with information from the sidewalk ordinance. All Ayes. MC Motion by Gotto/Leitz to have Cory Abbot perform the needed repairs on the ballpark concession building. All Ayes. MC The Clean-Up Days dumpster location has changed due to a scheduling conflict. The dumpsters will be located at the water plant (across from the ballfield) the weekend of May 2-4 for residents to use. Appliance/Electronic tags can be purchased at City Hall. The Lagoon Mowing Contract has not been received by the lawyer yet. Only one name had been submitted for consideration. James Andresen was offered the Lagoon Mowing Contract, pending contract review and signatures. Discussion was held on the Ute Urban Forestry Management Plan 2025. Clerk will bring a list of recommended trees for replanting to the next regular meeting. Bids for tree removals in the right of way. Motion by Leitz/Pithan to use Lansink Complete Tree Services for $9,780. Results of Vote: Ayes-Gotto, Kelm, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – JCarlson. Motion Carried 4-1. Discussion was held on the June 21 garage sales and the Hwy 141 garage sales. Both will be happening. Motion by JCarlson/Kelm to approve the Ute Tire and Automotive’s request of reduction of sewer charges for a leak that did not enter the sewer system. All Ayes. MC Discussion was held on a USPS Lease Repair Letter received for a repair made in 2022 that was not the City’s responsibility per the lease agreement. Motion by JCarlson/Kelm to approve sending property clean-up letters to the properties presented to council. All Ayes. MC Discussion was held on potential volunteer/community service work within Ute. Students or Residents wanting community service hours should contact Lonnie Carlson for volunteer work available. Discussion was held on Main Street flowers/planters. Clerk will bring options to the next meeting. Motion by Leitz/Gotto to decline membership in the Loess Hills Hospitality Association. All Ayes. MC Discussion was held on the possibility of a chicken ordinance in town. Clerk will write an ordinance with given suggestions for the next regular meeting. The 2024 CCR Report will not be mailed and copies are available at City Hall or www.cityofute.com/2024CCR Next Regular Council Meeting will be May 12, 2025 at 6pm at City Hall. Motion by Leitz/Gotto to adjourn at 6:58pm. All Ayes. MC March 2025 Claims Report For April Meeting Vendor, Reference Amount Acs, It Support $175.00 Amazon Business, Supplies $254.94 Badger Meter, Meter Hosting $31.49 Bc’s Ampride Truck Plaza, Fuel $144.16 Bomgaars, Supplies $110.75 Chn Garbage Service, Garbage Pick Up $2,400.10 Crary Huff, Legal Services $168.00 Dunlap Plumbing & Heating, Post Office Repair $306.02 Eftps Irs, Fed/Fica Tax $1,741.33 Elevate Roofing, Post Office Repair $276.75 Foundation Analytical Lab, Water Testing $37.50 Hoffman Agency, 2025 Insurance $58,949.00 Hydro Optimization And Automat, Scada Repair $1,290.50 Hydro Plumbing Inc, Water Main Repair $1,620.00 Incontrol Electronics, Fire Door Dues $17.00 Iowa Unemployment,Qtr 1 Unemployment $71.24 Ipers, Ipers-Regula $1,168.53 Lonnie Carlson, Trail Camera Reimbursement $271.87 Mapleton Press, Publishing $456.06 Menards, Supplies $146.22 Metering & Technology Solution, Meters $488.88 Midamerican Energy, Electric $2,190.36 New Cooperative Inc, Exhaust Fluid $15.13 Quill, Supplies $215.14 Iowa Department Of Revenue, Feb Wet Tax $857.40 Iowa Department Of Revenue, March Wet Tax $847.74 Iowa Department Of Revenue, State Taxes $184.30 Stinn Backhoe & Plumbing, Water Main Repair $5,724.14 Team Lab, Weed Control $1,031.00 Usda, Loan 91-04 Apr 2025 $2,578.00 Usda, Loan 91-06 Apr 2025 $2,565.00 Usps, Postage $277.08 Ute Senior Citizens, April Senior Meals Contract $140.00 Ute Tire & Automotive, Switch Tires $183.57 Visual Edge, Printer Lease $185.00 Wellmark, Health Insurance $1,148.59 Windstream, Phone/Internet $1,225.78 Wipco, Sewer Electric $40.00 Accounts Payable Total $88,720.01 Payroll Checks $9,675.52 ***** Report Total ***** $98,395.53 General $53,134.29 Library Fund (Gen) $507.90 Road Use Tax $832.03 Employee Benefits $574.30 Water $35,733.29 Sewer $7,613.72 Total Funds $98,395.53 MP4-24-25
