Regular Council Meeting
April 22, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Brighton called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Jake Ellwood, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman and Mary Phelan. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, and Park Director Jacob Oswald. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived later during the meeting. 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.
Brenneman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda; Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Pro Tem opened the public hearing on proposed Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. No public comments were received. Mayor Pro Tem closed the hearing. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-65 Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, Brenneman seconded. Farnum stated the budget changes were based on the Council motion to use option 2, at the April 15th budget work session. Ellwood made a motion to amend the motion approving Resolution #2024-65 Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to reducing the transfer from general fund to capital improvement fund for the Community Building set-a-side from $50,000 to $25,000 and further reducing the budgets for professional fees for Attorney and Engineer by $25,000, seconded by Goedken. Roll call on the motion to amend was unanimous. Roll call on the motion to approve Resolution #2024-65 Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, as amended was unanimous.
Monticello Main Street President Deb Bowman and Monticello Main Street Vice-President Quinn Behrends gave a brief presentation on Monticello Main Street. Bowman stated at the Main Street annual meeting in Des Moines, Judy Tuetken received Volunteer of the Year Award. They also invited everyone to attend their Market Analysis Community Meeting on April 29th from 6 pm to 7 pm, where the State Main Street will go over the survey results for Monticello.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2024-66 Approving 28E Agreement between Monticello Community Schools and City of Monticello use of School Owned Property and Facilities, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-67 Authorizing City Staff to submit an Application to Enter the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program, Phelan seconded. Goedken asked Oswald if he had a copy of the plan. Oswald advised that a plan is not required until they are accepted into the program, then they will do a 5-year plan. Council approved the application to Enter the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program at the November 6, 2023 meeting, however it was only by a motion and needed to by done by resolution. After a discussion on where and how the program funding could be used, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-68 Authorizing the City Clerk to make the Appropriate Transfer of Sums and Record the Same in the Appropriate Manner for FY 2024 for the City of Monticello, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-69 Scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget amendments #2 for May 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Goedken requested the transfer of $50,000 from General fund to Capital Improvement fund be moved to the General streets for tree removal and be added to the amendments.
Jackie Jacobs, 205 North Chestnut stated she attended the North Chestnut Street meeting for the neighbors to review the proposed plans with Engineers and Farnum. She was upset about the changes to her street and wanted the street to be bricked again. With the cost increase of $50,000 for a brick street versus a concrete street, she was disappointed in the Council’s decision to do concrete. Jacobs questioned the grade of the sidewalks. Farnum stated the sidewalks have to meet ADA standards and he knows Jacobs doesn’t like the fire hydrant in her yard. Jacobs stated the church doesn’t care about the aesthetics of their lot and suggested moving the fire hydrant to the church lot. Farnum stated they will be digging a trench in Jacobs’ yard and will stay 3 feet from the trunks of her trees. Contractor needs to put a bore pit on Jacobs’ property to bore for the water main. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-70 approving contract and performance and/or payment bonds for the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Smith arrived.
Farnum advised according to the Development Agreement with BR3 Development LLC, the sale or transfer of the property requires approval by the City in writing. The reason is to make sure that the subsequent tax rebate payments get transferred to the correct party after the transaction. This keeps the City out of any potential liabilities for large payments made to the wrong party. BR3 transferred the property to an investment company, Axia US Acquisitions LLC, in 2022. However, the City recently discovered the transfer was made. The property is now held by AXGNL 1 Monticello IA LP. In this case, there is a contract language that clearly states the seller (BR3) retains the rights to the property rebates, even though said taxes are paid by Axia/AXGNL. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-71 Approving the sale or transfer of Lot 1 of BR3 Subdivision under the terms of a Development Agreement with BR3 Development LLC, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve the purchase of firearm updates for the Police Department, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum stated the contractor for the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project plans to start next week. National EMS Week is May 19-25, 2024 and Ambulance Director Lori Lynch is planning an Open House at the Ambulance Garage either the 19th or 26th. Farnum advised the health insurance rates came in lower than anticipated.
Oswald advised the new filter and chlorine feeder has been installed and they are planning to start filing the pool around May 10th. Holly’s Helping Hands brought over 100 volunteers out to help clean up Riverside Gardens, various parks and other areas around town. May 6th the school will have around 300 volunteers to help clean-up the Cemetery and park areas. Oswald stated he has 78 teams registered for the baseball and softball tournaments.
Brehm stated the Library received a $2,500 donation to purchase items for the Library of Things and they also purchase a 3-D printer.
Hinrichsen reported the ARPA funding annual report is near completion. Hinrichsen also advised a local business employee sold cigarettes to a minor and Iowa code required that the business pay a $300.00 fine for the 1st offense. Hinrichsen sent out the required paperwork to collect the fine. If the City does not want to collect the fine then the State will. This item will be on the May 6th Council agenda for a hearing, unless they pay the fine prior to the meeting.
Kahler stated they are working on taking down more ash trees, and mowing at the cemetery. Next week, they will be at the cemetery to help with the weed whipping. He reached out to a contractor to repair some storm drains that were damaged, including the one by City Hall.
Smith reported Cole Millard graduated from the Police Academy last week and will began patrolling.
Tjaden reported a change order for the Wastewater Treatment Facility after undesirable fill was discovered, will be to move the building further from the undesirable material. They will also be bringing the water main down the hill.
Farnum stated the Engineer sent a change order for the Water Tower Painting Project. Farnum reviewed the change order with the Council and advised the contractor was hoping for a verbal approval of the change order, to keep the project moving forward. Consensus of the Council was to approve the change order and formal action will take place on May 6th Council meeting.
Council took a short break prior to the work session regarding utilities for Residential Developments. Farnum reviewed the estimated costs for the Vet Clinic Project and North Ridge. If done as a TIF project, City will be required to set funds aside for low to moderate housing projects. Consensus of the Council was if City helped with the utilities and infrastructure, that the tax abatement program would not be allowed. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with TIF financing to do these projects. Brighton wanted to also work on some strategic planning for future developers.
Ellwood moved; Brenneman seconded to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(j) to discuss the purchase of real estate where the premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the City would have to pay for said property. Roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved; Phelan seconded to return to open session. Roll call unanimous. Ellwood moved; Phelan seconded directing City Administrator to proceed as discussed related to the possible purchase of Real Estate. Roll call vote unanimous.
Ellwood moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 P.M.
Scott Brighton, Mayor Pro Tem
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer