Centerville City Council members Monday night listened to concerns law enforcement have with the so-called bars of Gordie's Bar and Grill, Alibi's and The Eagles but not with other businesses authorized to serve alcohol.

Issues Centerville Police Chief Tom Demry brought up were fights and serving intoxicated persons. Other issues he brought up were underage drinking and people passed out on the sidewalk. He indicated he would be in favor of putting something in the city ordinance in regards to serving intoxicated persons and reporting fights.

Chief Demry pointed out Alibi's offered to work with the police in September but has since failed to do so.

"And I've had a lot of issues there since that time," Demry said. "Including less than a week after they assured us they would work with us, one of the bar owners interfered with a criminal investigation."

The council voted 4-0 to have city attorney Deb George look at the available reports and work with Chief Demry to come up with a recommendation and bring that to the council at the next meeting.

The council also approved three action items on the agenda by 4-0 votes.

The first was the approval of bills and the second was a resolution recognizing Barker Company for their support and contributions to the community. The resolution's wording, patterned after a letter Mayor Marsha Mitchell wrote to the company, thanks Barker for providing quality jobs and "our community believes that working with Hill PHOENIX will be just as great a partnership and look forward to continuing our relationship."

Hill PHOENIX, out of Conyers, Ga., last month purchased Barker Company, which is based out of Keosauqua and has a facility in Centerville.

The third action item the council voted to accept was a contract agreement between the city and Iowa Power and Light Company concerning maintenance on N. 14th Street. The agreement calls for IP&L to pay the city $5,000 per year starting September 2010 for costs related to maintaing the dead-end street they use to access their property.

"The city agrees to properly maintain and ensure that IP&L has continuous access to its property," the agreement reads. "The city agrees that IP&L's contribution to will be used solely for road maintenance or repairs upon 14th Street."

The agreement stipulates IP&L reserves the right to audit the city to ensure the funds are being properly applied and during the years when no repairs are necessary, the funds will be held in a special account and "in so doing will allay the cost of major repairs when major repairs are deemed necessary."

The agreement has yet to be approved by IP&L but Mitchell indicated they were willing to sign it.

The council voted 4-0 to hire Hall Engineering of Centerville for the Community Development Block Grant storm sewer project No. 3. The other firm applying for the project was Snyder Engineering of Columbia, Mo.

Smith Fertilizer and Grain, 1605 S. 24th St., requested a permit to erect a 6' by 8' foot sign at the intersection with East O'Neal Street. However, the sign would be placed on city property, which is prohibited by municipal ordinance. City Building Official George Johnson sent the council a letter dated Nov. 25 asking them to grant a variance to the ordinance to allow Smith Fertilizer and Grain to place the sign.

The council voted 4-0 to have Johnson determine what solutions would be viable in placing the sign and approach Smith to see if they would be interested in purchasing the land.