Regular Council Meeting
August 21, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor David Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Candy Langerman, Wayne Peach, Scott Brighton, Tom Yeoman and Brenda Hanken. Council member Chris Lux joined meeting electronically. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water /Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Library Director Faith Brehm, Park and Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda. Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Bud Coyle, 515 N. Sycamore St, inquired why his City share of tax bill increased $244 and where that was being spent. Goedken stated property valuation increases and tax rates would affect the taxes. Brighton stated the tax rates are comparable to communities in the area. Coyle suggested looking for a cheaper way to water the flowers and trees.
Hanken questioned a few vendor payments, and staff explained the purchases.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on the proposed Plan for the 2023 Monticello MultiresidentialUrban Revitalization Area. Staff received no written comments. Hanken questioned the ten-year payback schedule. Farnum reported State laws limits what TIF can be used for on a residential project and the declining residential property valuations were considered when setting the payback schedule. Peach questioned if they would be able to get insurance on the building, as they are in the flood plain. Farnum stated City is ensuring that they are following the flood plain regulations. Farnum ask City Engineer Schwickerath to confirm the top level is where it should be, along with their engineer.
Mayor closed the public hearing on the proposed Plan for the 2023 Monticello MultiresidentialUrban Revitalization Area
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-114 Adopting the Proposed Plan for the 2023 MonticelloMultiresidentialUrban Revitalization Area, Peach seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman introduced and moved Ordinance #769 Designating an Area of Monticello, Iowa, as the 2023 MonticelloMultiresidentialUrban Revitalization Area, first reading in title only. Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved that the statutory rule requiring said ordinance to be considered and voted on for passage at two City Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and that said ordinance be regarded as having been considered and voted on for passage at two prior Council meetings. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous. Yeoman moved Ordinance #769 Designating an Area of Monticello, Iowa, as the 2023 MonticelloMultiresidentialUrban Revitalization Area, third and final reading in title only. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-115 Approving FY 2022-2023 Annual Financial Report. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-116 Approving Pay Request #4 related to the Monticello Airport Taxiway Connector project, to Boomerang in the amount of $171,586.15, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler advised they worked with Hennick in the past and they did good work. Hennick Tree Service would like to do the removal in the late Fall and all the brush would be hauled off to his own personal site, not going to the City yard waste site, for a bid of $33,000.00. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-117 Accepting bid for Ash Tree Removal and awarding bid, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-118 To approve the hiring of a Monticello Full-Time Non-Certified Police Officer and setting wage, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-119 Approving the purchase of Traffic Control devices and equipment from General Traffic Controls, Inc, seconded by Brighton, roll call unanimous. This will repair the traffic signal at intersection of Oak and Main streets.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-120 Approving and Levying an Assessment for 656 North Cedar Street for Service Line Repairs, at the interest rate of 4%, seconded by Langerman, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised he has been working with the broker for Fraser Trust Farm to purchase property for future airport expansion. City will purchase 36 acres and 100’ corridor for trial expansion for $11,76.35 per acre. City will receive 90% federal reimbursement for the 36 acres and applied for a REAP grant for $80,000 for the trial portion. The 36 acres will be purchased with airport funds and no taxpayer dollars will be used. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-121Approving purchase of land near the Airport and authorizing City Administrator to Close Real Estate Transaction, seconded by Peach, roll call unanimous.
Oswald reported there was $8,000 budgeted for lights for the Pickleball Court. He is still getting quotes and the project will not exceed $12,000, including Alliant and installation. Lights will be placed on the West side facing East. Hanken moved to authorize the installation of lights at the Pickleball Court, with a not to exceed amount of $12,000, seconded by Brighton, roll call unanimous.
Langerman introduced and moved Ordinance #770 amending provisions pertaining to Chapter 106 “Collection of Solid Waste”, Section 106.08 Collection Fees, first reading in title only. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved that the statutory rule requiring said ordinance to be considered and voted on for passage at two City Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and that said ordinance be regarded as having been considered and voted on for passage at two prior Council meetings. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved Ordinance #770 amending provisions pertaining to Chapter 106 “Collection of Solid Waste”, Section 106.08 Collection Fees, third and final reading in title only. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken advised the cable installation is frustrating a lot of people. Peach questioned if they were bonded. Farnum stated the City does not require them to be bonded, however Cascade Communications or Comelec, depending who they are working for, probably do. Farnum encouraged residents to reach out to Cascade Communications or Comelec directly, if they have any issues. Goedken also reported issues with people building on the utility easements. Kahler advised they are drilling a lot of holes in the streets and he is looking for a policy on how they are to repair the streets.
Hanken stated she heard the street sweeper was broke down. Kahler advised it was not broken down and staff has been busy taking down trees and painting streets, among other things and don’t have staff to run it. Kahler stated in spring it gets used more than in the summer.
Hanken stated she received a call about manholes that needed to be filled in. They were told they would be fixed some time ago and aren’t yet. Tjaden stated Pirc Tobin in coming to town on Friday and start Monday working the following projects: Cherry Street sewer main, manhole by 6th Street and Pine Street, and 7th Street and Chestnut Street valve that is leaking. Hanken asked them to look at the manholes on Brook and Pine also.
Farnum reported meeting with City Engineer Nick Eisenbacher, along with Tjaden and the other water/sewer staff. They are planning to bid the project this Fall.
Farnum stated the AWOS for the airport is ordered with installation to begin around Thanksgiving, after FAA approves.
Farnum stated with Labor Day being on September 4th the Council meeting will be moved to Tuesday September 5th. September and October both have 5 Mondays, if Council wants a work session.
Peach advised people are questioning why City raised water and sewer rates and believe City has a grant to pay for the sewer project. City received a USDA loan for $16 million. Farnum advised these funds are being set aside to pay down the loan or additional costs for the sewer plant project.
Oswald advised the Aquatic Center is on their weekend only schedule and will be open through Labor Day.
Oswald stated he ordered 30 more trees for Fall planting in the ROW or open spaces within the City.
Oswald reported that Intern Grahm Schneiter set up the Friends of the Park Foundation.
Brehm updated Council on upcoming activities including a Daddy-Daughter hair day this Saturday, HACAP Mobile Food Pantry at Berndes Center and Fall story time starting in September.
Kahler advised he is working with LL Pelling on sealcoating and getting a quote for crack sealing from Kluesner Construction. They continue to take down Ash trees, as time allows.
When asked about Jacobs Park roadway, Kahler advised it is not on the list and that it would need to be completely reconstructed.
Smith stated there was an issue with the audio driver and he is currently using the backup audio driver, which has a lower audio quality. Smith stated he emailed Council his July police report.
Smith advised he would be conducting another Traffic Safety Checkpoint Project to meet the GTSB and STEP multi-jurisdictional traffic enforcement project. This year’s project is scheduled for the week of August 28th, 2023.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 P.M. followed by a work session on upcoming Capital Projects, including the Sixth Street Ditch, South Water Tower, Chestnut Street and East First Street projects and a work session on snow removal options.
No action was taken on the work sessions and they ended at 8:33 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer