A special meeting of the West Liberty Finance Committee will discuss the first distribution of federal emergency relief funds as the council invites ideas for city projects, it was learned Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the first September meeting of the council.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m., an hour before the council’s regular meeting, The City of West Liberty will receive $561,224.00 and currently has received the first installation at $280,611.
City Clerk Lee Geertz said the finance committee will be discussing how to use the funds provided by the federal government through a President Joe Biden COVID-19 relief bill awarded known as the “Rescue America” plan to county and local governments to be used before the end of 2023.
But that’s not the only special committee meeting on slate in the near future.
Vote to table EMS hirings
The council tabled a resolution to approve an update to approve an increase in EMS personnel in the city fire department and Emergency Medical Services.
Approved by the West Liberty Ambulance Department Board at an Aug 23 meeting to create positions, recommend funding and approve job descriptions, followed by a work session meeting on Sept. 7 previous to the council meeting, the resolution was to approve ambulance positions that include an EMS supervisor, lead paramedic, paramedic, AEMT as well as an EMT. The permanent positions would enhance the combined operations of the fire/EMS department with volunteer and staffed positions.
It is uncertain if certain position would be full time or part time depending on the hire, but the department is seeking to offer 24 hour, seven-day-a-week service to the West Liberty School District area and beyond. Department leaders say the ambulance service has had 400 calls already this year and pointed out the service pays for itself.
The department leaders say the new hires will replace staff that has left the department.
Council members questioned the financial status of the fire department and ambulance services, questioning if there was enough money in reserve for new equipment like a new or updated ambulance.
Fire Chief Kirt Sickles said there was $150,000 in a CD in reserve and said he didn’t see that as an issue, assistant chief Eric Christiansen pointing out it will likely be three to five years before a replacement is needed and then that may be only a partial replacement.
Council member Diane Beranek questioned what will happen at the end of the budget year if there are no funds remaining to fund the services, concerned about the cost of hiring the additional personnel.
City Clerk Lee Geertz said the city also has $375,000 in a certificate of deposit designated for the fire and ambulance department but said the money “wasn’t earmarked for anything special.”
Mayor Robert Hartman said he wanted to make sure the council “had the whole picture,” before approving the resolution.
Council members Jose Zacarius and Kara McFerren voted against tabling the issue as it passed 3-2.
Approve hirings
Other city departments, including parks and recreation and the electrical department, both won approval on resolutions to hire additional personnel including an assistant lead mechanic for the electrical department and a recreational leader position for parks and recreation. Both were approved although council member Diane Beranek voted against the recreational hiring.
The recreation position was created because of the inflex of the city’s recent decision to take on youth sports.
The city also rejected a late proposal from Francisco Martinez, organizer of the Latina Fiesta event held Saturday in downtown West Liberty, to host a small Latino-pride parade at 4:30 that afternoon which was to circle the block, starting on Spencer Street.
Council members cited there wasn’t enough time for city employees or police to handle such a parade and there was concern about cutting off traffic to the downtown Third Street area. The parade was held in 2020 for the first time but was not included in original plans submitted for the Fiesta weeks ago.
The city did approve plans for the Children’s Festival on that same day, organized by Monica Leo and Stephanie Vallez in that same Third Street location downtown.
In other resolutions, the city approved a bid to sell a 2006 Altec TA 37 M Bucket Truck to Roth Electric for $12,600. A second bid was submitted by Kessler Electric of West Liberty.
The city also approved four liequor license applications including a Class C license for Carmitas Nino at 106 East Third Street, a Class C license for Puebla Mexican Restaurant at 124 East Third Street, a Class E license for Giri’s Liquor Store at 1006 North Columbus Street and a Class C beer permit for New York Dollar convenience store at 320 North Calhoun Street.
The council also approved expenditures of $323,242 for the month, including $140,913 in payroll and a $53,691 payment to Kansas State Bank for the street sweeper.
City engineer Leo Foley of Veenstra & Kimm gave updates on city projects including the city hall remodeling project, noting the move-in date “appears to be a couple weeks away.”
He said the Well #2 project continues progress as well and noted the Dutton property north of the Dutton Sports Complex is in the process of getting split. He also said the Rainbow Drive improvement project is also underway with surveying and mapping work.
In final business, the city approved an organization resolution with West Liberty State Bank, an office of South Ottumwa Savings Bank for deposits, withdrawals and check writing.