20210105 Andalusia City Council Meeting January 5 2021
Date: 2021-01-05 Type: Regular Meeting
Quick Summary
Council approved the December 15, 2020 meeting minutes. The council adopted Resolution 2021-01 to authorize formation of a Capital Improvement Cooperative District to pursue acquisition of an abandoned rail line and approved related next steps. The council awarded the cemetery grass-cutting contract to the low bidder named in the record, approved Resolution 2021-03 to place liens for weed abatements on several properties, and adopted Resolution 2021-04 extending emergency COVID sick-leave benefits for three months.
Key Decisions
- Approved minutes of the December 15, 2020 meeting (motion, second; approved by voice/hand vote).
- Adopted Resolution 2021-01 authorizing formation of a Capital Improvement Cooperative District to negotiate potential purchase of an abandoned rail line between Andalusia and Geneva (motion, second; approved by voice/hand vote).
- Authorized the city clerk/administrator to solicit consolidated bids for multiple city vehicles (motion, second; approved).
- Awarded the cemetery grass-cutting contract to the low bidder identified in the record (company name in transcript varies; motion, second; approved).
- Adopted Resolution 2021-03 to assign costs and place liens for city-performed weed abatement on about 10–12 properties (motion, second; approved).
- Adopted Resolution 2021-04 to extend emergency COVID-related sick leave benefits for three months so qualifying leave/quarantine does not count against personal sick leave (motion, second; approved).
Notable Discussion
- Staff explained Res. 2021-01 will allow council members to form the cooperative district and begin negotiations, environmental assessment and appraisal work for the rail acquisition; a roughly $500,000 grant to assist acquisition was noted as expiring in early 2021.
- Council discussed soliciting one consolidated vehicle bid package (combining vehicles) to attract better bids rather than soliciting smaller, separate bids.
- The cemetery contract bid had three responses; the low bidder named in the transcript has held the contract previously and bid substantially lower than others.
- Weed-abatement action covered roughly 10–12 properties where contractors were hired after owners did not comply; costs will be placed as liens as listed in the resolution.
Action Items
- Record approval of the December 15, 2020 meeting minutes.
- Begin formation of the Capital Improvement Cooperative District and commence steps to negotiate rail acquisition, including appraisal and environmental assessment.
- City clerk/administrator to solicit consolidated bids for the listed vehicles.
- Execute cemetery grass-cutting contract with the low bidder identified in the record and commence cemetery maintenance.
- Place liens for city-performed weed abatement on the properties and record the amounts as provided in Resolution 2021-03.
- Implement the three-month extension of emergency COVID sick-leave benefits per Resolution 2021-04.