Regular Council Meeting – Official
April 17, 2017
Community Media Center
6:00 P.M.
Mayor Dena Himes called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brian Wolken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, Deputy City Clerk Cheryl Clark, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, City Engineer Casey Zwolinski and Police Chief Britt Smith. Council member Tom Yeoman was absent.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Himes read Proclamation #17-01 “Proclamation recognizing Monticello Heart & Soul and the Discovery of What Matters most to the Residents of Monticello”.
Wayne Peach, 108 Monk Court, commented during Open Forum that they have lived in Monticello since last September and this is the nicest community they have ever lived in.
Wolken moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Gale Oldfield and Josh Ludovissy were both present to discuss Ludovissy’s desire to erect a garage and boundary fence line. Herman stated that by current ordinance, Ludovissy’s garage and fence would both be permissible. Moved by Goedken, seconded by Russ to approve issuance of building permit to Josh Ludovissy, 635 N. Chestnut, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the notice period for voluntary annexations requires 14 business days; therefore, the Public Hearing originally scheduled for tonight will be rescheduled to May 15, 2017. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-44 scheduling Public Hearing on proposed Voluntary Annexations, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing will be held on May 15, 2017 at 6 PM.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-45 scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello 2016/2017 Fiscal Year Budget Amendments, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing will be held on May 15, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reported that the City and Jones County entered into an agreement last year for road maintenance that required the City to cover the cost of contract rocking 190th Street biennially. Herman reported that the City paid for contract rock pursuant to the agreement in 2016 and that the County Engineer recently requested of him that the City pay to contract rock the road again in 2017 at the approximate cost of $9,500. Moved by Russ to approve Resolution #17-46 approving payment for “contract rock” installation on 190th Street at the request of County Engineer’s Office. Wolken seconded. Roll call vote, Russ, Wolken, Paulson and Lux voted nay, Goedken abstained. Motion failed.
Herman reported that the bid for asbestos removal for non-friable siding at the City acquired home at 516 N. Cedar is $2,790. No DNR notification was needed for the asbestos removal, just the demolition. Demolition will be done by B & J Hauling and Excavation at a cost of $8,750, which includes the necessary notifications to the DNR. Goedken moved Resolution #17-47 to approve asbestos abatement and demolition bid related to 516 N. Cedar Street, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated that he and LaGrange discussed sewer main repair options for the sanitary sewer main issue at the intersection of South Street and South Main. After looking at options, it was determined that the abandonment of the problem line, moving a manhole and re-routing of a service line for Monticello Family Dentistry made the most sense. The end result will be one main and will also eliminate one manhole from the manhole replacement project. Russ moved Resolution #17-48 to approve sewer main repair project near intersection of South Street and South Main Street and to hire Eastern Iowa Excavating and Concrete, LLC, to perform the necessary repairs/improvements, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the City previously agreed to a cost share on the Golf Course/City Park Drive in a not to exceed amount of $10,000. The project cost came in at $37,618. Wolken moved Resolution #17-49 to approve payment to Monticello Golf Club City Share driveway paving project in the amount of $10,000, the Resolution also providing for a payment to the Golf Club in the amount of $860 representing private donations received by the City to help defray Golf Club project costs, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #695 amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” of certain property located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as vacant lot located at: SE Corner of E. Washington and S. Cedar Street (112 E. Washington Street), Monticello, IA 52310 and amending the Official Zoning Map, second reading and in title only. Russ seconded. This will change the zoning from C-1 General Commercial to R-1 Single-Family Residential. Roll call unanimous.
Council discussed concerns associated with the proposed re-zoning of the Intlekofer property at 322 W. 4th Street, including concerns related to off street parking and the cost and feasibility of the owner separating utilities, amongst others. Wolken moved Ordinance #696 amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” of certain property located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as 322 W. 4th Street, Monticello, IA 52310 and amending the Official Zoning Map, second reading and in title only; subject to appropriate parking and separate utilities being installed. Goedken seconded. Roll call vote, Wolken, Goedken, Lux, Paulson and Russ all voted nay. Ordinance #696 failed.
Goedken moved Ordinance #697 amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” of certain property located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as 410 E. Oak Street, Monticello, IA 52310 and amending the Official Zoning map, second reading and in title only. Lux seconded. This will change the zoning from R-1 Single-Family Residential to R-3 Multiple Family Residential. Roll call unanimous.
Wolken moved Ordinance #699 amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” of certain property located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as set forth within Addendum A, attached hereto, all located within the City Limits of Monticello, IA 52310 and amending the Official Zoning Map, second reading and in title only. Lux seconded. Roll call vote, Wolken, Lux, Paulson and Russ voted aye, Goedken abstained as he has property being rezoned. Motion carried.
Herman reported that there is one position open on the Tree Board. On May 10-11, the high school students will be planting several trees around the school.
Herman reported that the Varvel-Buckeye alley will not be signed as a one way alleyway absent direction from the Council to do so. He reported that most comments received from those whose property abuts the alleyway have not been supportive of the change suggested by a few residents on the alley.
Herman stated that Al Hughes’s cousin Curt Hughes reportedly took Al’s abstract to be updated and to his knowledge continue to discuss demolition options.
Herman stated that Josh Iben has been working with the City on ideas for the fountain near the Aquatic Center and Russ requested that he get an estimate to repair it, resulting in basically the existing fountain look or appearance. Dianna Stadtmueller addressed the council regarding the fountain containment. Herman stated that he would get prices put together and report back.
Herman reported that the City may appoint two members to the ECIA Board. They meet in Dubuque quarterly and focus on low-income housing needs and rental assistance. Council members and staff are not eligible to serve on the ECIA Board. Residents interested in being considered for appointment may contact Herman.
Herman reported that there was a 5% decrease in City health insurance premium cost; however, that follows a greater than 20% increase last year. Dental premiums did not change, while vision, life and disability premiums increased slightly. Herman is looking into other vision options at this time.
Herman received a complaint from Steve Intlekofer claiming that the parking lot rock placement adjacent to his Grand Street building has caused a mold problem in the back corner of his building. Herman has corresponded with Intlekofer and offered to work with him towards a solution, whether or not the problem was caused by anything related to the City project. Options include re-grading the rock or taking out some of the concrete poured behind his building by the owner of the building to the north of the Intlekofer building. Intlekofer also complained about the finish on the west wall of the Grand China building facing the Pocket Park. Herman stated he believes that wall would be a “party wall” and the parties have to work together and mutually agree on modifications, repairs and costs, with the party having more interest in the wall paying more. Herman reported that Intlekofer has an ownership interest in the Chinese Restaurant building.
Herman reported that he noticed hail damage to the aluminum siding on the clock tower. The insurance company has authorized the replacement of the clock tower siding and vents. Herman has estimates from Barnhart Construction to replace the aluminum siding with aluminum siding or to replace it with a board type siding. Council wanted more information on the type of siding proposed as an alternative and Herman agreed to look into that further.
Herman has been working with Alliant Energy to get a street light inventory for a number of years. As a result of street light inventories the City has now received significant reimbursements from Alliant Energy.
Herman passed a thank-you note received from Monticello Middle School students for usage of the Community Building for a fundraiser for a fellow student battling cancer.
Zwolinski reported that Eastern Iowa Excavating should be done this Friday, weather permitting. The City will be responsible for seeding disturbed areas. Wolken questioned if the area by the fire station would be finished, since that wasn’t part of the original project and Zwolinski stated that would be the last thing finished.
Herman stated that the water tower painting project is taking some time due to the movement of the equipment of tower tenants. Goedken stated that the location of the antennas should be considered when it comes time to paint the City logo on the tower. Herman indicated that the Council authorized one logo instead of two as is currently the case, and that staff would work with the contractor to locate the logo/name of the City in such a way so as to avoid blockage by antennas.
Wolken moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 7:58 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Dena Himes, Mayor
Cheryl Clark, Deputy City Clerk