Regular Council Meeting – Official
April 15, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Council Member Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson and Chris Lux. Also present were City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer A. J. Barry. Council Member Tom Yeoman was absent.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Denise Miossi, Shine on Gifts and Nancy Stumma, Back Home Chiropractic discussed their plans for Hometown Days. They talked to Police Chief Smith and Fire Chief Don McCarthy and both are onboard with the plans. They also talked to Jan Hoag, Monticello Chamber of Commerce and City Administrator Doug Herman to go over the plans and were looking for Council approval. This will be on the next agenda for discussion.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Theisen’s has requested permission to put up temporary “now open” signs in ROW areas near the Garden Center. Hanken made the motion to approve temporary sign installation by Monticello Theisen’s Garden Center, Lux seconded. Mayor Wolken arrived and presided over the remainder of the meeting. After further discussion regarding limiting the number of signs, location and length signs can be posted, Hanken amended her motion to approve temporary sign installation by Monticello Theisen’s Garden Center, with the following stipulations, signs allowed for 30 days, limited to 50 signs and not allowed in the Right-of-Way, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Council previously approved the fiscal year 2019 budget, with the requirement that further Council approval was required before the additional appropriation of $2500 to the Library can be made, but let it in the budget. Council questioned the need and what the $2500 would be used for. Kim Brooks, Library President stated the Library provides great services to the community including computers and WIFI, especially used by students after school. Library has cut staff to 3 full time and 1 part time. Goedken moved to table action on the appropriation of $2500 to the Library until the May 6th meeting and to request Library Director to attend to explain the need, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken stated City received two requests for consideration to be appointed to Council Ward 2 position. Candy Langerman and Wayne Peach both show an interest and would be great candidates and both stated they would not require a special election if not selected. Goedken stated for gender equality, he moved to appoint Candy Langerman to fill the vacant Ward 2 Council seat until the next election in November 2019, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hinrichsen administered the Oath of Office to Candy Langerman and she assumed the Ward 2 Council seat.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on proposed amendments to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area and Plan to include additional incentives to Menasha Corporation a/k/a Orbis Mfg., for water main improvements, including materials, but not the land purchase. In return, Orbis will dedicate the main to the City and will grant easements to City to access both the water and sewer mains for maintenance, repair and replacement. No public comments were received, and Hinrichsen reported no oral or written comments were received. Mayor Wolken closed the public hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-53 Approving 2019 Amendment Number 2 to the City of Monticello Urban Renewal Area and Urban Renewal Plan, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported last year the City handled registrations and MYBSA was responsible for the overall management of the Rec games and scheduling. City agreed to pay 45% of registration fees collected, which was $4,171.50 last year. The MYBSA has decided to not participate in the oversight of the recreation leagues and wants City to take it back over, however, MYBSA wants a fee from the City in the amount of $5,000 to offset their field maintenance costs and use of MYBSA equipment, which was purchased by donations to the MYBSA and concession stand profits. MYBSA funds are set aside for capital purchases and projects. MYBSA is also looking for someone to take over the concession stand operation and school booster club is looking into it. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-54 Approving Amendment to Agreement between the City of Monticello and the Monticello Youth Baseball Softball Association (MYBSA), Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-55 Scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello 2018/2019 Fiscal Year budget amendments for May 6, 2019 at 6:00 p.m., Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Susanne Gerlach, from PFM announced the City received four bids on the $2.5 M General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds. The low bidder was Bankers Bank, from Madison Wisconsin, along with Citizens State Bank in Monticello, with a true interest rate of 2.4110%, which is one half of a percentage over an AAA Bond rate and a purchase price of $2,577,900.55. PFM recommends the City award the $2.5 M General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds to Bankers Bank, from Madison Wisconsin, along with Citizens State Bank in Monticello, with a true interest rate of 2.4110% and a purchase price of $2,577,900.55. Goedken moved Resolution #19-56 Awarding General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2019, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Barry reported the contractor started working on Sycamore Street and is currently installing the water main on the west side of the street. They will have pay request #1 and change order #1 which will include the changes to the bid regarding the light fixtures for next meeting. Barry also reported finding a stairwell that was an entrance to a hair salon in the basement of the Strittmatter building, was under the sidewalk and the costs related to this will also be included in change order #1. When questioned, Barry stated Horsfield planned to remove the tree stumps as they go on the project. Barry reported that Black Hills is installing a new gas main from 4th to 7th Street on the east side of the street.
Smith reviewed how the police department has received funding for traffic enforcement equipment through the Specialized Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) program. This program requires the department to participate in a multijurisdictional enforcement event, where the department joins forces with other agencies, such as sheriff office, other police departments and Highway Patrol. This project can be completed in two primary ways; a saturation patrol where an increased number of officers conduct traffic stops from visually spotting violations or the utilization of a checkpoint where a specific location is identified and a predetermined number of vehicles are stopped while officers conduct a brief vehicle inspection, verifying license status, vehicle registration and insurance requirements and basic vehicle lighting and equipment requirements. Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition has requested the City consider implementing and conducting a checkpoint. The department would provide advance notice with signage, an alternate route and social media of the event. Smith is tentatively looking at doing the checkpoint sometime in August along Highway 38 but no date has been set. Council had no issues with the department doing the checkpoint.
Wolken reported Compadres structural inspection has been completed and waiting for the written report.
Kahler reported the leaks in the Council Chambers have been repaired.
Council discussed the option of adding the balance of 7th Street between N Cedar and N Maple Streets to the N Sycamore Street project. Council agreed that if added they would need to assess the property owners, as they are for rest of the project. Wolken estimated 7 to 9 homes would be affected and paving would be approximately 600 feet. Council directed to have City Administrator reach out the property owners on 7th Street to do voluntary assessments.
Derek Lumsden, Jones County Economic Development reported attending the Rural Economic Development Summit in Grinnell with Mayor Wolken and City Administrator Herman. At the Summit they discussed several funding grants and opportunities available to Cities. The CDBG program has housing grants for Low to Moderate Income homes and various other projects. The Community Catalyst grants supports the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment. The Main Street Program is specifically designed for downtown areas and would require a Board of Directors and an Executive Director, which would be a paid staff member. Monticello is currently a “HomeTown” town which will be expiring. The Main Street Grant would provide $75,000 with matching funds and provide philosophical and financial support of the City, with items such as design approach, economic vitality, marketing the downtown and volunteer standpoint. Council requested the Main Street Grant be on the next agenda to authorize proceeding with the grant application. Council member Hanken left the meeting.
Wolken reported at the Rural Economic Development Summit in Grinnell, he visited with a new business that offered algae treatment option, which may extend the life of the treatment plant or assist with treatment of the Truck Wash sewage. They also discussed the option of solar panels on city buildings and properties.
Wolken stated Herman emailed notes from the 6th Street Ditch Committee, which included Yeoman, Goedken, Lux, Herman and Wolken, to the Council regarding the status of the 6th Street ditch.
Lux moved to adjourn at 7:20 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk