CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor ProTem Bowman on January 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Nelson, Tull, Zabel and Cruz. Staff present was City Clerk, Dawne Bowman and City Administrator, Allison Kitzman. Visitors in attendance were Colleen Larimer, Ryan Brown, Brett Stream and Landon Maynes.

Tull made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried. Nelson made a motion to approve 1/09/22 meeting minutes, seconded by Zabel, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve the payment of bills, seconded by Nelson, all ayes, motion carried.

Zabel made a motion to approve Cafe Sign & Floral Special Class B Retail Native Wine license, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Matt Kemery entered the meeting at 5:35PM.

Kitzman discussed an increase in firefighter call rate. Current fire call rate is $15 per call and $20 per call for officers and would like to increase the per call rate by $5.00. Ryan Brown, Lenox Fire Chief, along with other fire department members, Brett Stream, Landon Maynes and Matt Kemery were present to discuss the increase and answer any questions. Nelson questioned if a $5.00 increase was enough. Brown commented that they have only had 1 increase, which was in 2015 and it was $5.00; however, they are not on the department to make money, they provide a service, more appreciative than anything. It was the consensus of the council to increase the firefighter call rate by $5.00 per call. Bowman and Zabel added that the council is more than willing to help when the fire department needs gear or equipment and that they are good at applying for grants. Kitzman commented that this increase would include the calls beginning December 2022.

Nelson made a motion to approve Resolution 23- 04 Increase in Firefighter Call Rate, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Stream, Kemery and Maynes left the meeting at 5:40PM.

Zabel made a motion to approve Resolution 23- 05 Setting Public Hearing for 2/13/23 at 5:30PM for Maximum Property Tax Levy, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed the purchase of a gator. In a previous meeting, the council wanted a gator priced for snow removal on the new walking trail, as the City does not currently have suitable equipment to remove the snow off a 5 ft wide sidewalk. The price of the gator was $31,210 and $5,600 for a V- plow. This gator would be equipped with lights appropriate for a city vehicle, turn signals, heat and also a watering tank that would be used for watering flowers on Main Street. Bowman was concerned of gouging, due to the width of the plow and if there are other options, other than the V- plow. Ryan Brown stated that the V- plow is adjustable; however, the City would take care of anything that would be torn up, as they currently do. Kitzman also mentioned that hiring out the snow removal on the 5- foot- wide trail only would be approximately $300 per time and $500 per time if salt needed to be put down. Nelson asked if a blower was an option, in which Brown stated that John Deere does not offer blowers. Bowman discussed where funding would come from. Kitzman mentioned to the council some equipment coming up in the next budget that are more necessary than this gator, such as a new salt spreader, a blower for the end loader and a boiler for the pool. Kitzman also mentioned that the purchase of this gator could come from several funds, as it would be used by many departments: Streets, Gas, General (for chamber watering) and that there are balances in a lot of funds. There was also a discussion on the current watering truck and the possibility of selling that vehicle. Zabel wondered about hiring out the snow removal for a year to see what it costs. Brown stated this gator is more of a "want" than a "need"; however, it will be used a great deal by many employees. After much discussion, it was the consensus of the council to purchase the gator. Zabel made a motion to approve the purchase of gator, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed TIF Agreement with Agrvision. After much discussion on how TIF works and different options, it was decided to approve 13 years at 100% with an additional 3 years at 75%. The official agreement will be on a future agenda.

Tull motioned to adjourn the meeting, Cruz seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 P.M.