Also approved as a consent agenda item was the bill from Andersen Holst Trost Svoboda Architects of Waterloo for the design development and construction documents for the Fire Station Project.

The bill in the amount of $48,516.37 had been reviewed and approved by Manchester Fire Chief Dennis Meisgeier.

It was also approved that Jason Haight would be hired for the Heavy Equipment Operator position at a rate of $16.00 per hour. There were more than 100 applications taken with five of the applicants being interviewed for the position.

A brief discussion was held concerning Resolution R-017-2008 Approving Preliminary & Final Plat (Hardin Subdivision).

David and Delma Hardin wish to split an 80 acre plot of land located east of the Trout Hatchery Road as divided by the existing railroad right-of-way.

The Hardins had had their proposal go before the Planning and Zoning Committee on Jan. 9. That was necessary as the property is located outside of the city limits of Manchester but is within the two-mile radius of the city limits making it subject to the zoning and subdivision regulations of the City of Manchester.

It was determined by the city that the connection of the subdivision to the City sewer and water systems cannot be reasonably made and that alternative systems may be designed to fully protect the public health, safety, and welfare and meet requirements of State, County, or other applicable health regulations.

The Council also reviewed a letter received from Regional Medical Center stating that they (RMC) would not sign Agreement Fire & Ambulance Dispatching Services” that had been presented to them in early December.

Coming up with an acceptable plan to all parties for the sharing of costs concerning the Communications Center has been an on going project for the past year. As of now City of Manchester officials will continue to meet with Delaware County officials in the hopes of hammering out an equitable agreement for all parties concerned.

The City of Manchester received some goods recently when XL Specialized Trailers paid off their existing zero interest economic development loan that they had with the City of Manchester. The City agreed to pay back they money that they had borrowed to provide the original loan.

There was also discussion regarding setting up a special Storm Water Management Committee to handle problems similar to those caused by the October 7, 2007 rain storm.

Through their various discussions concerning proposals by the West Delaware County Community School District to address retention problems caused by new and proposed construction on their property it was decided that such negotiations could better be done by the council itself.

Councilman, Dean Sherman noted at the end of the councils discussion, “We have just done what a new committee would have done anyway.”

New council member, Connie Behnken agreed saying, “sometimes forming a new committee is not the best way to handle problems.”

It was agreed by all those in attendance that an agreement with the school district could be made by having another meeting between representatives of council and the school district much like they had recently.

The discussion this time around will have to do with using the present culverts on Harris Street to help slow the flow of water.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Manchester City Council will be on Monday, January 28th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

At their regular monthly meeting held Monday night, January 14th the West Delaware School Board accepted the early retirement applications for 2007-08 incentive.

In all there were 13 applications for early retirement.

Those 13 employees represented 217 years of experience with 200 of those years being teaching experience at the West Delaware Middle School.

Licensed staff making their early applications were John Zietlow, Middle School 7th Grade science teacher and Athletic Director; Carol Dighton, Middle School 5th Grade teacher; Carolyn Milroy, Middle School 5th Grade teacher; Cynthia Mitchell, Lambert Special Education teacher; Bruce Mitchell, Middle School 7th Grade Social Studies teacher; Mike Savage, Middle School 8th Grade Science teacher; Bill Kalkbrenner, Middle School 8th Grade Math teacher; Chris Mundy, High School Foreign Language (Spanish) teacher.

Classified Staff making their early applications were Marianne Nodurft, Middle School 6th Grade paraprofessional; Sharon Traver, Kindergarten paraprofessional; Patti Erikson, Middle School Assistant Supervisor Food Service; Dick Cole, Route Bus Driver; Ellen Vaske, High School Special Education paraprofessional.

The Board also accepted the resignation of Superintendent’s Secretary, Brenda Wall, effective Friday, January 18.

Approved as a new hire was Larry Baumgartner as Driver Education Coordinator. This position became open upon the retirement of Bill Lester.

With the weather causing numerous school closings this year, Sue Daker, Director of School Improvement, said the three days of school missed in December (5th due to snow, 11th due to snow and ice, 21st due to fog) would be made up on May 29th, May 30th and June 2nd.

Since the meeting on January 14th, school was also canceled on Thursday, Jan. 17th due to excessive snow. This will cause classes to extend most likely to one more day in June.

Director of Finance, Ron Goerdt presented the board with an exhibit that contained Change Order Logs 1 through 7 for the Phase I Construction Project.

It was noted that change orders thus far have amounted to $296,355.12 which is substantially over the budgeted amount of 3% of the total project, or $209,529.

It was further noted that construction is a bit behind at this point and one of the reason was the number and substance of the many change orders that have taken place.

Activities Director, Bob Murphy reported on a number of fine arts activities that will be taking place over the next month. Those activities include Dorian Festival at Decorah on January 13 and 14; State Show Choir Contest at Union La Porte, Monday, January 28th; ISU Honor Band at Ames, February 1st and 2nd; Wartburg Honor Band on February 2nd and 3rd; District Large Group Speech at Cascade on January 19th; State Large Group Speech at Decorah on February 2nd.

It was noted by Teresa Griffith, District Volunteer Coordinator that during the month of November 2007 she logged 1,200 volunteer hours. That brought the total for the 2007-08 school year to 6,158 hours. That is 1,266 more hours than last year at the same time.

With January being Mentoring Month, Ms. Griffith reported that Big Brothers/Big Sisters have 16 established lunch-time adult mentors at Lambert and the middle school, three high school after-school mentors, and five adult community-based volunteers. This means that 24 West Delaware students are currently involved in a one-on-one match.

Early graduation requests were approved for Cody Heinrichs, Tyler Hutton and Amy McCubbin.
The Board also approved out of state trip requests for the 7th grade going to Galena, IL on Jan 31st; the 8th grade going to Chicago, IL, on Apr. 25th; Kevin Schuchmann to Minneapolis, MN, Jan 18, 19; Doug Winkowitsch, Mike Morrison, Jake Each, Blake Nedved to Chicago, IL on Feb. 8 & 9.