Regular Council Meeting
April 18, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Wayne Peach, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Brenda Hanken and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, and Library Director Michelle Turnis. Council member Scott Brighton was absent. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, with limited seating or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” and were encouraged to communicate from Zoom Meeting via chat, due to the heightened public health risks of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The meeting did have public attendance, both in-person and via Zoom.
Yeoman moved to approve agenda, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Gaylen Kray, 634 North Sycamore reported coming to Council in December 2019 regarding discrepancies in the sidewalk and has been back several times since. He stated, it has been over two years and the company that did the work is no longer in business, so what is the City going to do to fix the issues. Farnum stated City has the Performance Bond on the project. He has tried to contact the owner of Horsfield Construction and has gotten no response. He has reached out to the new owner hoping to get a response and stated this issue should have added to the checklist prior to closing the project, which was done before he came to Monticello. Yeoman stated better drainage needs to be added under the concrete.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded. Hanken questioned when the handbook was going to be on the agenda and was advised at the May 2nd meeting, roll call unanimous.
Main Street Committee Representatives Deb Bowman, Shelia Tjaden, Quinn Behrends and Brian Wolken gave a presentation on the Monticello Main Street Program. Bowman reported on progress since the 2019 application, where they were advised they didn’t have enough monetary support. Tjaden reported on the benefits of the Main Street Program and funding opportunities. Behrends reported they have $53,000 in pledges from the Community already. He asked the Council to pledge dollar for dollar match up to $40,000, of all private funding raised. Brooke Prouty, Uptown Marion, a Main Street Iowa District Program Director, stated that positivity is needed, for every 1 negative there are 10 positives. She stated that almost all the businesses in downtown Marion have either businesses or apartments in their upper levels and some are looking into their basements. Marion Main Street Program was funding similar to what is proposed tonight and paid with Hotel/Motel taxes and General Fund. Once the Main Street Director is hired; they would start to call to collect the pledges. Behrends stated he has 20 to 30 pledges from downtown businesses and felt ones not returned yet would be pledging. Wolken stated the Board of Directors are voting members on the Main Street Committee and they are looking for someone willing to help at the various activities. The Board would oversee the Executive Director. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-57 Authorizing participation in the Main Street Iowa program, acknowledging City understanding that it will be expected to participate in the development of the program and to financially support the program, and that a City official will be appointed to represent the City on the local Main Street governing board of directors. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Peach moved to approve appointment of Jacob Oswald to represent the City on the local Main Street governing board of directors. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reported he advertised for a full-time paramedic, with the deadline of April 1, 2022. The candidates were evaluated and he selected Ryan Sutcliffe to fill the position and wage set at $22.85/per hour, per union contract. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-58 Approving the hiring of a Monticello Ambulance Full-Time Paramedic and setting wage, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reported he gave City Clerk Hinrichsen a check in the amount of $174,100.00 for the playground equipment. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-59 Authorizing purchase of the All-Inclusive and Interactive Playground project equipment, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reported he advertised for a Public Works employee and applications are due Friday. He would like Council approval to hire employee at $20.00 per hour, per union contract. Goedken reported the County opened their union contract and included all employees in the raises and school included all teachers in their raise proposal. Goedken stated City has good employees and would hate to lose them. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-60 Approving the hiring of Public Works employee and setting wage, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported working with Julie Ford at the USDA related to the sewer treatment plant grant, with help of engineer and Hinrichsen. If the USDA awards the grant to Monticello, then staff will work on cash flow projections.
Farnum is working on agreement with Dean Stevens related to 449 North Sycamore Street property.
Farnum reported Jones County Public Health is working with Healthy Hometown to hold a discussion with public leaders from across Jones County to discuss potential project in our towns, on April 28, 2022 at 6 PM at the Lawrence Community Center in Anamosa.
Farnum reported Main Street Iowa State Coordinator, Michael Wagler will be in town on April 28th to look at the downtown.
Hinrichsen handed out the proposed budget amendments, noting the self-insurance for ambulance will need to be increased around $3,000.
Kahler reported getting bulk asphalt and will start patching holes tomorrow.
Smith stated he was contacted by a Clarke University student who would like to do an internship with the Police Department. He is studying Criminal Justice and is required to do an internship to graduate. This will be an unpaid internship.
Tjaden updated Council on progress of the 7th Street Project . It was discovered there was a lead line into a home on 7th Street and a local plumber will be replacing that line. Pirc-Tobin will be boring the water main along Oak Street which will reduce the costs of installing. They plan to install the hydrants and valves this week. Yeoman questioned when Pirc-Tobin would have their equipment removed from the City Park property, as the Fair Board would like to bury the power line along the fence. Tjaden thought by May 1st it would be removed.
Oswald reported they started Spring cleanup of various city properties. They are still looking for lifeguards to staff the pool.
Turnis reported the Library has several programs coming up. Turnis also reported the Storywalk vandalism has been taken care of and the three individuals will be doing community service with the Park & Rec Department.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer