Regular Council Meeting – Official
April 16, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Gary “Butch” Pratt, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. Councilmember Tom Yeoman was absent.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Pratt moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed Rezoning of R & R Property located at 324/326 W. 2nd Street, Monticello, from R-2 two-family residential to R-3 multi-family residential and condominium district. No public comments were received and City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Herman stated property owner attorney is working on a condominium agreement, which he would like to review prior to final approval of the ordinance. Mayor Wolken closed the public hearing. Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance # 714 amending Chapter 165, “ZONING REGULATIONS”, of certain property located within City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as 324/326 W 2nd Street, Monticello, IA 52310, legally described as set forth below, and amending the Official Zoning Map, first reading and in title only, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported he received requests to delay implementation of the rule adopted by the Council at the last meeting that required rec. league participation as a condition precedent to use of City controlled fields /diamonds by teams not participating in rec. league. The Park Board was not opposed to delaying implementation for one year with this year’s coaches encouraged to promote participation by their players in the rec. leagues. The proposed resolution would delay implementation the policy to limit the use of City ball diamonds to those teams participating in City Rec League, 4th grade level and down effective January 1, 2019. Josh Brenneman Park Board and MYBSA member stated that rec. league parents are asked, but not required, to help in the concession stand during the year. Tournament teams are given the opportunity to volunteer to work in the concession stand in return for the waiver of tournament registration fees. Russ questioned if the plan was for the MYBSA to use its’ revenues to reduce or eliminate the rec. league registration fees when the MYBSA first came to exist. Herman indicated that he recalled discussions at that time suggesting that the reduction or elimination of fees would be a goal; should the revenues of the MYBSA support such a decision. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-58 Approving a policy to limit the use of City ball Diamonds to those teams participating in City of Monticello sponsored Recreation Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues, 4th grade level and down, with an effective date of January 1, 2019, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed agreement with Jones County regarding the road maintenance. Council questioned how 190th Street rocking would be handled. Goedken stated the City section of the 190th Street just off County Road X44 is too wide and flat and shoulders are higher than the middle of the road, so it doesn’t drain properly. Herman indicated that he sent an e-mail to County Engineer Snead with questions pertaining to overall road maintenance costs. Pratt moved to table action on resolution Approving City of Monticello and Jones County Maintenance Agreement, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that he, the City Engineer and PW Director LaGrange met with Jones County Supervisors Joe Oswald and Jon Zirkelbach, City Engineer Derek Snead and County Engineer staff Todd Postel to review the proposed John Drive extension. Snead is designing the extension in consultation with Schwickerath to ensure that it is built to City standards. Pratt moved to approve Resolution #18-59 Approving extension of John Drive, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-60 approving the release of Retainage and payment of same in the amount of $27,764.97 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Re: 2017 Main Street HMA Project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the Airport Master Plan required updating at this time per FAA directives. Herman received bids to prepare the Airport Master Plan from HDR in the amount of $165,651 and from MSA in the amount of $192,590. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-61 Approving Agreement between City of Monticello and HDR Engineering, Inc for professional services, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the League of Cities encouraged cities to adopt a resolution to support the continued funding of the property tax backfill as agreed to by the state legislature when passing commercial and industrial property tax rollbacks. Pratt moved to approve Resolution #18-62 In Support of Continued Funding of Statewide Reimbursement of Commercial /Industrial Property Tax Revenue Reductions, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed changes to Ordinance #711 associated with Chapter 165.42, City Code, non-conforming buildings and structures. Herman explained that he amended the proposed ordinance as directed by the City Council to clarify that additions or enlargements to non-conforming structures would be allowed so long as the changes met Code requirements if looked at separately from the structure they were added to and so long as the non-conforming structure to which the addition was being made laid within the bounds of the lot on which it is located. Goedken moved Ordinance #711 amending Chapter 165.42, Zoning Regulations, Monticello Code, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Nonconforming Buildings and Structures, third and final reading and in title only, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #712 amending Chapter 35 Police Department, Monticello Code, by amending Provisions Pertaining to Police Chief Residency Requirements, removing residency requirements from the Code and requiring that any residency requirements be set forth within the employment agreement, second reading and in title only, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to table action on Ordinance #713 amending Chapter 21 City Administrator, Monticello Code, by amending provisions pertaining to City Administrator Residency Requirements, removing residency requirements from the Code and requiring that any residency requirements be set forth within the employment agreement, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous. The Ordinance was tabled after much discussion by the City Council and the agreement of the City Council that Administrator Herman met the residency requirements of the City Code as currently drafted based upon his ownership of property in which a residence was being constructed at 709 John Drive, same being within the City limits.
Herman reported that he was awaiting a second asbestos inspection bid on the property located at 103 W. 1st Street. The cost of the asbestos inspection will be reimbursed by the IDNR Brownfield program.
Herman reported that a storm sewer has caved in near the intersection of S. Cedar Street and S. Main Street. LaGrange reported a bid was received from Eastern Iowa Excavating and Concrete in the amount of $7,964.00 to repair the storm sewer only and not the stone wall. Consensus of the Council was to proceed.
Herman reviewed proposed plans for the City Fountain project which would basically restore and upgrade the fountain leaving the fountain looking substantially similar to its current look, at an estimated not to exceed project cost of $100,000. Final plans and drawings will be created prior to the commencement of fundraising efforts.
Herman reported that he e-mailed a proposed Brick Paver policy to the City Council for their review and reported that he received a concern from one property owner that the bricks could be a tripping hazard and would be difficult to shovel.
Herman reviewed bids received on miscellaneous City property that had been advertised for sale.
Herman reported that the Park Board believes a second color or border on the proposed Berndes Center floor would be appropriate. Herman and Oswald will obtain pictorial representations of floor color options for the City Council to consider.
Herman reported the 10 year elevator inspection agreement with Schindler is about to expire. He is looking at three different companies to perform the necessary inspections. Herman recommended that the City move forward with a 5 year quarterly inspection agreement as opposed to a 5 year preventative maintenance agreement.
Herman briefly discussed existing and potential insurance coverage options related to employee dishonesty and fraud. Not action was taken.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:58 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk