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Stacy City Council met December 13 for a regular meeting, council members Marie Lawrence and Jennie Carlson were absent. The meeting was held at Lent Town Hall and will be for the foreseeable future.

Lent resident  and Town Board Supervisor Jeff Barrett  asked the council how the filing of as-builts for the city are coming.  Mayor Mark Utecht said they have stagnated a bit since a new maintenance supervisor position has yet to be filled.  City clerk Angela Comstock told Barrett they have all of the files digitally, but have not collated into easier to find files as of yet.

In the attorney’s report, city attorney James Monge told the council he had looked over a contract from Advanced Utility Solutions.  The contract would cover providing a certified water and wastewater operator of record with weekly visits, standardized sampling, compliance, permitting reporting, operations mentorship, with other services such as locating available for additional costs. Monge told the council he was ok with the contract and the council passed the contact unanimously 3-0.  Cost of the service is $4,000 per month. Utecht added once the maintenance department is filled they will receive valuable training from Advanced and should no longer need the services.

Monge then told the council he looked over existing Lent Town Hall rental contract language which the council approved.

In his report, city engineer Dan Boyum gave a brief synopsis of items he has been working on.  Council member Tim Sawatzsky asked Boyum what the city would do about utility locating without a trained supervisor on staff. Boyum said his company could assist with that and reminded Sawatzsky the contract they approved earlier in the meeting offers locating.  

Sawatzsky then told the council the planning commission had heard from LIUNA in regards to a potential purchase of a property on the west side of 35.  LIUNA is an apprentice school for the labor trades and is located in Centerville.  They are looking for a property for hands-on training such as concrete cutting, directional boring, wind turbine construction and more.  The council agreed that without permanent structures, the tax to the city would be minimal and the property is just too valuable for potential future business or homes.  

The council then approved the 2024 levy. This year’s levy will be $403,264. That comes to an increase of 9.03 percent over last year’s levy.

The council then set a special meeting for fee schedule changes. The meeting will be held December 27 at 6 p.m.  The changes are to ordinances that require a meeting and there were no meetings scheduled before the end of the year.

The council then discussed the open position for maintenance supervisor.  Mayor Utecht told the council he is in favor of hiring two maintenance workers that are non-certified.  Utecht said the training can come down the road but the city needs workers asap.  The council agreed to post for two positions with a application deadline of January 3.  

The council then approved a temporary liquor and gambling license for Long Spurs of Sunrise and Pheasants Forever. Both events will take place in the Lent Town Hall in 2024 so the hall will be part of the city due to the annexation.

The council finished the meeting by passing ordinances amending language to agricultural properties, farm animals, and domestic chickens ordinances that already existed, but are being incorporated the joining of Lent into Stacy.

  

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