Police officers and public works employees and the City of Belle Plaine have approved a three-year contract calling for pay increases in year two and three and graduated increases in the amount employees will play for their health insurance.
The city council approved the agreement at Monday’s meeting.
The new agreement calls for no increase in pay the first year, a two percent increase the second year and a 2.5 percent increase the third year. The first year of the agreement, employees will continue to receive 100 percent city-paid single and dependent coverage for insurance. In year two, employees will pay five percent of the cost and in year three, 10 percent of the cost.
“This is a big step for the city,” city administrator Bill Daily said. Rising costs and budget cuts have caused many government entities to look for ways to economize. He said the negotiations lasted about four or five hours and he commended the employees for their recognition of the tough times cities are facing.
“This proves that we’re a team,” he said.
Traditionally, non-union employees have followed the union contract in any raises or adjustments to insurance negotiated. Daily said this time will be no exception.
The council approved rate increases for water, sewer and garbage collection. The current municipal code states that rates will be tied to the consumer price index (CPI) from the previous year. But a lower than normal CPI, coupled by reduced revenue from fewer households in the city prompted city officials to seek the increase.
Water and sewer rates will increase five percent. The current rate for residents is $4.27 per 1,000 gallons of water and $4.27 per 1,000 gallons of sewer use. The new rate effective July 1, 2010 will be $4.49. Customers outside the city limits now pay $5.70 for water and $5.70 for sewer per 1,000 gallons. Their new rate will be $5.99.
Garbage rates will increase three percent. The current rate is $18.48 per household per month. The new rate will be $19.04. The landfill charge for businesses and the per apartment rate will remain the same.
Following a public hearing, the council approved a contract with Denver Underground & Grading of Waverly for $262,921,06 for a sanitary and storm sewer project. Bids were received from 10 Iowa firms for the project. The winning bid was considerably lower than engineer’s estimates of $295,648.50.
The council passed the third and final reading of an amendment of the curfew ordinance. It will allow violators to be cited. They will be able to pay a fine without a court appearance. Police Chief Kris Hudson had suggested the change to enable the city to enforce the ordinance without causing violators to miss school or work time for a trip to court in Vinton.
The council approved a contract with Akay Consulting of Boone to assist the city in its quest for National Register of Historic Places designation for the downtown area. Daily told the council that the designation could open doors for possible future funding for downtown improvement. The timetable for the application process will continue throughout the remainder of the year, with a decision from the National Register officials by the end of the year.
Daily said it appears that no single building in the two-block downtown area would qualify for the designation on its own. But perhaps the district as a whole could qualify.
In other action, the council approved the renewal of the beer, carryout wines and Sunday sales permits for Country Foods.
The public hearing on the proposed 2010-2011 city budget will be held Monday, March 1 at 6 p.m.
The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, since Feb. 15 is Presidents’ Day, a city holiday. The council will hold its monthly work session at 5 p.m. with the formal meeting to follow at 6 p.m.
In his report to the council, Daily said the installers of the Walldog murals was in town over the weekend to examine the damaged mural on the grain bin at the intersection of Highway 30 and 131. The mural was damaged during a recent winter storm.
Daily said the installation was “new territory” for the Walldog installers. They indicated that the murals can be repaired. Their work was guaranteed and the murals were also insured, he said.
He also announced that the city has been invited to make a presentation for a Community Attraction and Tourism grant to the board on Feb. 10. Although there will be no decision on the grant request that day, a good showing by community leaders and others from the city at the meeting would send a strong signal to the board of local commitment for the downtown revitalization project.
Daily reported that an offer has been made for someone to become the next director of the Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation. It is hoped the new person will be on board by March 1, he said.