Tag: Spirit Lake City Administrator Gregg L. Owens

09/09/2025 A Voice from the Gallery

“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”

Thurgood Marshall

The September 9, 2025, regular meeting of the Spirit Lake City Council meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. with Councilman Brett Johnson, Councilwoman Angela Kofoot, Councilman Keith Brockmeyer, Councilman John Chappas and Councilman David Mensing present in their seats in the council room.  The meeting was called to order with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by all.

          Agenda Item #1 – Consent Agenda   Mayor Bice called for a motion to approve the items contained within the Consent Agenda.  Items included:  a) Minutes of the August 26, 2025, regular meeting of the council, b) Warrants for September 2025, c) Treasurers report for August 2025, and d) Approval of Class C Retail Alcohol Licenses for El Mariachi Bar & Grill, Toast on Hill, and El Caporal Mexican Restaurant.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Kofoot, Second from Councilman Brockmeyer, with no further discussion Mayor Bice received a voice vote of unanimous five (5) Ayes votes.

          Agenda Item #2 – Resolution approving the primary plat of Southern Hills Fourth Addition Subdivision.  Mayor Bice called for a motion to approve the resolution as described.  Motion to approve was made by Councilman Mensing, Second from Councilwoman Kofoot, discussion dealt with a question on the name by Councilwoman Kofoot.  Mayor Bice called for a roll call vote.  Councilman Johnson abstained, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye, Councilman Brockmeyer – Aye and Councilman Mensing – Aye for a unanimous X4 Aye vote.

Agenda Item #3 – Iowa Lakes Corridor Update Trevor Smith was present to give the update and to introduce new member Jenny Dykema.  The Iowa Lakes Corridor serves four (4) counties with regard to Business Retention, Wages, salaries & benefits, and data.

Agenda Item #4 – Resolution accepting competitive quote, awarding to the prevailing bid on the e 2025 City of Spirit Lake Lime Pit Discharge Improvement Project.  Three quotes were received and the prevailing bidder was VanderPol Excavating with a bid of $261,590.00.  Mayor Bice called for a motion to accept and award the winning bid. Motion was made by Councilman Brockmeyer, Second was from Councilman Mensing and without further discussion Mayor Bice called a roll call vote:  Councilman Johnson – Aye, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye, Councilman Brockmeyer – Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye and Councilman Mensing – Aye for a unanimous X5 Aye vote.

Agenda Item #5 – Discussion and possible action regarding Urban Renewal General Engagement Agreement with Ahlers-Cooney, PC Law Firm.   A requirement viewed as necessary by City Attorney Owens or is it City Administrator Owens with very little explanation other than the one I received after the meeting adjourned.  Just a quick look up this firm describes itself as “…an entity which understands Iowa’s cities, counties, municipal utilities and other public bodies require comprehensive representation…and their attorneys also service a bond counsel for cities, counties and municipal utilities…”

(https://www.ahlerslaw.com/practice-areas/public-law-practice-area).

Motion to enter into an agreement with Ahlers-Cooney, PC to presumably handle the Urban Renewal General Engagement Agreement was made by Councilman Johnson, with Second coming from Councilwoman Kofoot.  No specific discussion as to the who, what and where of costs, span of representation and etc. was made at the time of the motion.  Mayor Bice called for a vote to approve; voice vote unanimous Aye X5.  Since there was no copy of the agreement provided to the Gallery I have questions: Exhibit A – Scope of Services to be provided to our City Attorney and our city which should include review and analyze the existing plans, conduct public outreach and engagement, perform market and feasibility studies, develop and present alternative land use concepts, prepare grant application and financial models, providing project management and oversight. Exhibit B – Compensation Schedules, hourly rates (principle $? per hour, project manager $? per hour), fixed fees, and payment milestones Exhibit C – Other entities involved.

          Agenda Item #6 – Appointment of Airport Authority Board.

      Motion by Councilman Mensing, Second from Councilman Johnson to approve the board. (I was having trouble hearing, but I did not hear the members who were appointed or re-appointed until I read them in the minutes of the meeting published on the website.

Prior to adjournment on agenda the entries listed below appeared:

  • Meeting minutes Planning and Zoning Commission?
  • Comments by Public
    • Vickie Larsen expressed concerns of no parking signage on 23rd street regarding size, height, color and proper placement of city signage.  Iowa Code 321.358 (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) In Iowa, signage follows the guidelines of the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which dictates the color, size, and placement of signs to indicate speed limits and related information
      • Vickie Larsen also spoke to the lack of city council adjournment times appearing in the minutes or announced by the mayor as he declares the meeting adjourned.  What time?  Is there a reason for not publishing the time of adjournment or duration of the regular meetings?
    • Another member of the gallery spoke to the parking on Hill Avenue and Lake Street in the downtown area.  Specifically addressing the 2-hour time frames allowed.  (Gretchen Hinn-the name was taken from the website minutes.)
  • Comments by the Mayor, Council and Staff.

Adjournment

          Motion by Councilman Chappas, Second by Councilman Johnson, no discussion with a unanimous Aye X5 vote.  Mayor Bice announced the meeting was adjourned but failed to state the time of 6:00 p.m. adjournment. 

After the meeting I asked the question, why does the City of Spirit Lake need to hire a firm out of Des Moines when we have our own City Attorney/City Administrator who I presume has been licensed and is current in his certification by the Iowa Bar.

Some good advice from Thurgood Marshall.

“Each of you, as an individual, must pick your own goals.  Listen to others, but do not become a blind follower.”

Thurgood Marshall

08/26/2025 A Voice from the Gallery

“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself”.

Alexander Hamilton

 Mayor Bice called the regular meeting of the Spirit Lake City Council to Order on August 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Council members Brett Johnson, Angela Kofoot, John Chappas and David Mensing were present with Councilman Keith participating via telephone.

          AGENDA ITEM #1 Mayor Bice called for the council consideration of the Consent agenda which contained a) the minutes of the August 12, 2025, regular meeting for approval, b) the warrants for August 2025 approval for payment, c) council consideration and approval of the retail alcohol license for Juniper Lane (class C retail alcohol license), and d) council consideration and approval of the change in ownership of the retail alcohol license for Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits license.

          Motion by Councilwoman Kofoot, Second by Councilman Mensing with no further discussion, the council voted to approve collectively the consent agenda items a) through d) with a unanimous vote X5.

          It is to be noted here that contrary to what appears as the recorded minutes these items were treated as one aye vote response which encompassed the various parts of the consent agenda as a group not individually.  The purpose of a consent agenda is loosely described as streamlining measure however “Consent Agenda” is not defined specifically in IOWA CODE.  Chapter 21 of Iowa Code does deal with the dos and don’ts of Consent Agenda by detailing the process by which Consent Agenda is effected into the municipal government meeting and how it is reported in the minutes of the regular meeting.  The Iowa League of Municipalities is a great source for cities using this manipulation of process.

          AGENDA ITEM #2   Mayor Bice called for the consideration of Resolution* 2025-42 cancelling a previously scheduled public hearing and setting a new public hearing on the proposed annexation and approve publications of hearing notice.  Explanation, a public hearing had been scheduled for August 26, 2025; to deal with an annexation request by Lee Seemann and Indian Hills Properties however due to the recent withdrawal of that previous request and submission of a new request to annex additional real estate properties with certain exceptions the city council must adequately review the effects the changes to the annexation request and exceptions will have on jurisdictional questions and possible municipal liabilities.  Mayor Bice called for a motion to approve the withdrawal of the previous application and accept in its place the new applications for public hearing projected date September 223, 2025, and approval by the city council.

          Motion by Councilman Johnson, Second by Councilman Mensing and with no further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll call Vote.  Councilman Johnson-Aye, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye, Councilman Brockmeyer via phone – Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye and Councilman Mensing – Aye for a unanimous Aye vote X5.

          AGENDA ITEM #3  Mayor Bice called for consideration of the Resolution 2025-43 which would approve a water service agreement with Osceola Rural Water System, Inc.  The council has deemed an agreement for water services between the city of Spirit Lake and ORWS (Osceola Rural Water System) necessary and seeks approval of Spirit Lake City Council.  While the verbiage of the written Resolution provided the gallery did not mention a monetary amount or full name of the mayor for signature, during discussion an amount of $75,000.00 per a Formula calculation and a reference to fire services by Councilman Johnson’s query.

          Motion by Councilman Chappas, Second by Councilman Johnson and with no further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll call Vote.  Councilman Mensing-Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye, Councilman Brockmeyer via phone – Aye, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye and Councilman Johnson – Aye for a unanimous Aye vote X5. 

          AGENDA ITEM #4  Mayor Bice called for consideration of the Resolution 2025-44 in which council approval is sought to notify and certify to the (Dickinson County I presume?) County Treasurer of $445.00 delinquent unpaid nuisance charges against individuals, properties, parcels and out lots listed as West Okoboji Harbor, Inc.

          Motion by Councilman Chappas, Second by Councilman Johnson and with no further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll call Vote.  Councilman Mensing-Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye, Councilman Brockmeyer via phone – Aye, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye and Councilman Johnson – Aye for a unanimous Aye vote X5.

          AGENDA ITEM #5   Mayor Bice called for consideration of Resolution 2025-45 in which council approval is sought to notify and certify to the (Dickinson County I presume?) County Treasurer of $230.00 delinquent unpaid nuisance charges against individuals and properties listed as Lakeview Trust, Osbornes Addition.

Motion by Councilman Chappas, Second by Councilman Johnson and with no further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll call Vote.  Councilman Brockmeyer via phone – Aye, Councilwoman Kofoot – Aye, Councilman Johnson – Aye, Councilman Chappas – Aye, Councilman Mensing-Aye, for a unanimous Aye vote X5.

AGENDA ITEM #6    Mayor Bice called for a discussion of and possible council action regarding the 2025 City of Spirit Lake Lime Pit Discharge Improvement Project.  Per comments offered without disclosing the quote amount nor the entity which did offer ups what I presume was the one and only quote on the project, Mr. Arneson, representative of Beck Engineering commented he was concerned only one quotation was received and due to the short time frame in the bidding process which may have prevented competitive bidding on the project.

Council members discussed this scenario and elected to reject the one quote, sending it back and to have the project put back up for competitive bidding with a lengthier time frame allowed for presenting bids to the city.

Motion by Councilman Mensing, Second by Councilman Johnson and with no further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a voice vote to approve a re-bid for the project.  Vote was unanimous  Aye vote X5

With communications, comments by the public in which Vickie Larsen suggested the public input be moved higher up on the agenda to allow the public make comments on any agenda items BEFORE the council vote, comments time for mayor, council and staff.

          ADJOURNMENT    Mayor Bice called for a motion to adjourn.

          Motion was made by Councilman Chappas, Second by Councilwoman Kofoot and with no discussion, the unanimous Aye vote X5 closed the meeting

at 5:50 p.m.

Folks I would like to address the absence of some things from the minutes which I feel should be documented in those official meeting minutes.

06/24/2025 A Voice From the Gallery

I pledge allegiance
to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Mayor Bice called the meeting to order with Councilwoman Kofoot, Councilman Brockmeyer, Councilman Chappas, Councilman Mensing present and Councilman Johnson presence via telephone with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  As I write this, I am reminded of Richard Bernard Skelton aka Red Skelton performance of:

“Red’s Pledge of Allegiance*

“I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison School, in Vincennes, Indiana. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher – Mr. Lasswell was his name. He said: “I’ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?”

I – me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge – dedicate all my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance – my love and my devotion.

To the Flag – our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job.

Of the United – that means that we have all come together.

States – individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country.

Of America.

And to the Republic – a republic – a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For Which it Stands!

One Nation – meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible – incapable of being divided.

With Liberty – which is freedom and the right of power to live one’s life without threats or fear or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice – the principle and quality of dealing fairly with others.

For All. – which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance – “under God.” Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said, “That is a prayer,” and that would be eliminated from our schools too? – Red Skelton”

*About Red Skelton – Vincennes University. https://www.vinu.edu/about-red-skelton.html#Artist, date accessed June 26, 2025.

After we resumed our seats after the pledge, Mayor Bice called for:

Agenda Item 1-Consent Agenda which consisted of:

  • Approval of minutes of the previous public meeting.
  • Approval of warrants since the previous meeting.
  • Approval of an alcohol license for Kwik Star 1012 Class B retail which is described: “allows for the retail sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption, and may also permit wholesale sales to other on-premises retailers”. 
  • Approval of a cigarette permit …which remains a mystery to whom the permit was issued since it was not stated on the agenda nor did I hear any name attached to the permit.

A consent agenda consists of typically routine, procedural and non-controversial matters grouped together for a single vote and is allegedly to save time and allow the council to focus on more significant issues.  So, tell me Spirit Lake City Administrator/Spirit Lake City Attorney Owens who I presume is the author of this consent agenda, warrants (city bills) are not a significant issue?  That approval and verification of the accuracy of previous meeting minutes have no relevancy City Administrator Owens?  It seems to me the definition of streamline Spirit Lake City meetings is to hide behind the green curtain of OZ.  MOTION by Councilman Brockmeyer, 2ND by Councilwoman Kofoot, no call for further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #2– 2025 City of Spirit Lake Pointe of Pines 3rd Additional Infrastructure Improvements Project with a public hearing on the matter but with no description or detailing on this agenda item/resolution document available in the meeting.   Meeting was opened to public comment on this one issue.  Two gentlemen asked the question referencing caps on lot prices and TIF tax increment fund.  With no real answers to these gentlemen’s query and no further public input the public comment part of this agenda item was closed and the council moved to vote on the Resolution.  MOTION was made Councilman Mensing, 2NDby Councilwoman Kofoot, no question for further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #3 $2,065,000.00 (Dollar Amount Subject to Change) General Obligation Capital Loan Notes Resolution. And again, no resolution document present for the public follow along and read, nor was there any explanation other than a reference to approving electronic bidding procedures and Official Statement of which there was no copy present.  MOTION by Councilman Chappas, 2ND by Brockmeyer and with no question for further discussion Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote. Please note the Parenthetical notice that the Dollar Amount is subject to change and there was no discussion as to how that amount could change up or down?

Agenda Item #4   Olde Town Betterment Incentive Program Applications for 710 Lake Street.  Mike Alberts discussed and described potential changes to the building in question.  MOTION by Councilwoman Kofoot with a 2NDfrom Councilman Johnson to consider the application.  Vote?

Agenda Item #5   Resolution approving Pay Application #4 and closing out the WTP Automation and Control Upgrades Phase 1 Project with an appearance by Zack from Beck Engineering.  No description provided nor any details on the contents of the resolution.  MOTION by Councilman Mensing, 2ND by Councilman Brockmeyer, no call for discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote, roll call vote was unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #6   Resolution approving application for change order Reconstruction Project re 2024 City of Spirit Lake Pinewood Drive and 35th street, once again no documents provided to describe or detail the resolution. Motion by Councilwoman Kofoot, 2ND by Councilman Mensing, no call for further discussion or detail description.  Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #7 Resolution for non-profit grants.  Again, no document present for gallery nor was there a suitable description of the resolution.  MOTION was made by Councilman Brockmeyer, 2ND by Councilman Chappas with no call for further discussion Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote by Mayor Bice.  Roll call vote was unanimous X5 Aye Vote.

Agenda Item #8 Resolution non-profit Grant Meals-on-Wheels.  Again, no resolution document describing the action to be taken.  MOTION by Councilman Mensing with 2ND from Councilman Chappas, no call for further discussion, Mayor Bice called for a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #9   Resolution to approve a transfer of funds.  Sounds like the AC was just turned on.  Another resolution without document for public perusal and full explanation or description of action.  MOTION by Councilman Johnson, 2ND from Councilwoman Kofoot, no call for further discussion to clarify this action, Mayor Bice called by a roll-call vote which resulted in a unanimous X5 aye vote.

Agenda Item #10   Appointment to Boards and Commissions.  Library Board question involved the reappointment of a current member but because the council cannot seem to find funds for microphone so the public can hear must resort to reading lips the name of the appointee cannot be confirmed until the publication of the minutes in the official city newspaper.  MOTION by Councilman Brockmeyer, 2ND from Councilman Chappas, no call for discussion for clarity, Mayor Bice called a voice- vote X5 unanimous aye votes.

Communications Meeting minutes, Safety Minutes???

Comments by Public – Folks this is where transparency disappears for the public.  This line item appears AFTER all the votes are taken, no questions can be asked of the council and the council usually nods their heads and forgets about any public concerns on any of the items voted upon before the public had a chance to make their opinions on any particular line item of the agenda prior to vote.  TRANSPARANCY JUST HAD BIG BUCKET OF MUCK DUMPED ALL OVER IT!

I did address the council asking the status of my Freedom of Information request submitted on May 30, 2025, via mail requesting the following information:

  • List of City Council member rate of pay per meeting and/or per hour for regular Spirit Lake City Council Meeting.
  • City Council member rate of pay per meeting and/or per hour for special meetings of the Spirit Lake City Council.
  • List of sitting city council members who have attended the Iowa League of Cities recommended MLA (Municipal Leadership Academy which lays out council roles, municipal finance and budgeting, legal responsibilities, meeting procedures, council effectiveness and other important issues new council members will need to function properly.

     I also asked the council for a description/definition of City Attorney and City Administrator and received no response.

 ADJOURNMENT CALLED. MOTION by Councilman Chappas, 2ND by Councilman Brockmeyer and with a voice vote a unanimous X5 Aye vote and the meeting was adjourned.

06/10/2025 A Voice From the Gallery

A basic tenet of a healthy democracy is open dialogue and transparency.

Peter Fenn

The June 10, 2025, city council meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Keven Bice with the following council members present:  Brett Johnson, Angela Kofoot, Keith Brockmeyer, John Chappas, and David Mensing…absent was Gregg Owens, city administrator/city attorney with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda Item #1. Consent agenda

 a. Minutes of the May 27 the regular meeting

b. Bills for June, 2025

c. Treasurer’s Report for May, 2025

d. Retail Alcohol License for Wal-Mart Supercenter #1415 (Class E Retail Alcohol License)

e. Cigarette permits

f. Device Retailer License for Carroll’s Tobacco Outlet Plus LLC

The consent agenda was read as listed on the agenda but with little explanation and no questions from the council on the specifics of the listed items.

Motion by Councilwoman Kofoot, Second by Councilman Johnson with no discussion call for by Mayor Bice and no discussion questions offered by the council, Mayor Bice called for a vote.  It was a unanimous voice-vote X five (5) to pass all of the items listed under the title consent agenda.

Agenda Item #2. Liquor License for V.F.W. Service Club (Class C Retail Alcohol License with outdoor service)

Motion by Councilman Mensing, Second by Councilman Brockmeyer again with no call for further discussion by Mayor Bice and no input from the council members Mayor Bice called for a vote.  It was a unanimous voice-vote X five (5) to approve the Liquor License for the VFW Service Club.

Agenda Item #3. Discussion and possible action re (regarding) street closure for Sportsman’s Tiki Ride.

Present and presented a brief explanation of the action request for street closure was Mr. Tryon sponsor of the Sportsman’s Tiki Ride event.  Once Mr. Tryon finished his brief remarks Mayor Bice called for a motion for approval of the street closure.  Motion by Councilman Mensing, Second from Councilman Brockmeyer, once again with no call from Mayor Bice for discussion and no input from councilmembers, Mayor Bice called for a vote.  It was unanimous voice-vote to approve the street closure X five (5).

COMMUNICATIONS

Meeting minutes:

Comments by Public – Vickie Larsen responded with regard to a FOIA request.

Comments by Mayor, Council, and Staff

Adjournment:  Mayor Bice called for a Motion to adjourn at 5:36 p.m.  Motion by Councilman Chappas, Second from Councilman Brockmeyer and once again with no call for further discussion, Mayor Bice called for the vote.  A unanimous voice-vote X5 for approval to adjourn.

  The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

06/08/2018 A Voice From the Gallery

SPIRIT LAKE, IOWA

He was like a cock who thought the sun has risen to hear him crow.

George Eliot

“…That’s your problem…” retorted Spirit Lake City Administrator/City Attorney Gregg Owens.  Thus began the Friday, June 1, 2018, conversation between Spirit Lake city taxpayers and City Administrator Gregg Owens regarding the big blue Petri dishes the city dropped off  last week.

My husband Peter and I visited the Spirit Lake City offices on Friday, June 1, 2018,  to speak with City Administrator Owens concerning the garbage can situation after Peter had spoken to a city councilor and realized the city councilor was no more informed that we were.  We had received no letter of information on the substantive change in the way garbage was going to be handled with our water bill.  Our first knowledge was a telephone call telling us we had a big blue Petri dish (my term) with sail boats sitting at the end of our driveway.

When we stopped by the city offices on that Friday we asked to speak with Mr. Owens, he was on the telephone so we sat down to wait until he was free.  As we waited the staff in the city offices received numerous telephone calls, all with questions on the blue garbage cans recently deposited.  Judging from the responses by the staff, the questions ranged from type of materials to be place in the containers, placement on the curb, storage, and etc.

Finally Mr. Owens ended his telephone conversation and graced us with his presence.  When Peter explained our concerns on garbage placement on Sunday, pick up on Monday which presented the problem leaving the empty garbage can at the curb until we returned in a week or two weeks.  Mr. Owens gracelessly responded, “…that’s your problem…have your neighbor roll it back to your house…it is your responsibility…”

Since Peter had a meeting, we left and I returned alone for information.  I asked the clerk for a copy of the ordinance involving the change in garbage handling.  My request was still hanging in the air, when City Administrator Owen came rippin’ outta his office like he OD’d on his high colonic meds that morning, someone forgot to turn off the irrigation pumps and the only comfort station was the clerk’s counter!  Mr. Owens interrupted the clerk stating, “…the ordinance was not signed and he could not give me a copy…” and he abruptly returned to his office.  I asked the clerk where or how many of the blue garbage cans were purchased?  Bam! Here come da man wit da trots on the run stating, “… You (indicating me) can make a records request and at a cost of $10…the minutes are on-line” turned on his heel and returned to his office.  I asked the clerk about roll-off containers, enter Mad Dash Owens (and I don’t mean Jesse) streaming back into the conversation.  Why folks with all that to-ing and fro-ing from his office, I feared ol’ City Administrator Owens was going to do serious damage to his anal sphincter.  By this time I had the basic research information I needed, so I left.

Folks you were gifted with a brochure extolling all the benefits of the super-dooper single operator mobile armed garbage catapult.  Cost for the New Way Sidewinder/Peterbilt chassis per City Administrator Gregg Owens–$246,707.00, approximate cost of 2500 Blue Garbage cans $25 each for a net cost of $62,500.00, add $2-$5 for Logo printing plus shipping, handling, bond interest (if needed) and of course attorney fees for the drawing and filing of the resolution.

Let’s compare:

PRO – One operator                                 

CON – Two jobs lost

PRO – Safety-operator does not hang off truck back  

CON – Driver watching three camera’s (rear, left side & dump arm) driving distracted on residential streets.

PRO – Same green bag contraband rules

CON – Who is the bad garbage monitor- the driver watching road and cameras.

PRO – Clean-sanitary

CON – Great Petri-dish, ever put liquids or spoiled food in a sealed baggie and set it in the sun?

PRO – Bug proof

CON –  There is no significant rubber gasket on the  lid or the garbage can so enter flies, ants, maggots, gnats and the occasional code enforcement officer, Inspector Nit-pick-finder and louse storage next to your house—does garbage can ‘blue’ match your decor?

PRO – City Property

CON – You cannot put your name on the big blue Petri dish so it makes it easier to steal when the cross-town neighbor loses or damages his Great Blue Petri-Dish.

PRO – Clear street parking

CON – The 84,000 pound mobile armed garbage catapult vehicle must make two trips down all city streets.

PRO – Save payroll costs

CON – Implementation of  a street maintenance tax at around $1- $2 per frontage foot for those street repairs resulting in the two trips per week of  84,000 pounds per week instead of the approximate present single trip per week of 51,000 pounds per week.

PRO – Increase income from parking tickets.

CON – Plowing and towing tickets to taxpayers!

PRO – Free garbage cans.

CON – If lost, stolen or damaged $50+/- resident cost.

And lest we forget, the City Attorney Conflict

PRO:  City Attorney fees for each and every amendment to the resolutions/ordinance filed to fix City Administrator errors and omissions to the Great Garbage Debacle.

  CON:  Increase in Taxes for Taxpayers, Resident and Non-resident!

 

Contact your city council

ASK Councilman Jerry Harbst, Councilman Kevin Bice, Councilman Rodney James, Councilman Wes Farmer, Councilwoman Donna Fisher, OR City Administrator Gregg Owens—-WHY?