Regular Council Meeting
April 5, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Scott Brighton, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russ Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Library Director Michelle Turnis and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. 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 the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda and Brighton seconded. Roll call: Ayes: Lux, Brighton, Yeoman and Langerman. Nays: Goedken and Hanken. Carried
Farnum received a request from McMATT Properties for Tax Incentive and Rebates for a self-storage improvement at 725 John Drive. McMATT Properties representative, Mike McDonough reviewed the request and plans to build the storage units. The building would be 30’ deep with 47 units. Developers Jerry and Jeff Hinrichs stated when they platted the lot, it was designed for storage units. Yeoman advised he would support 90% rebate for first year with 10% decrease each year with last year a 10% rebate. Lux was okay with the proposed rebate but not the grant of $20,000. Yeoman moved to approve a proposed tax rebate starting at 90% and decreasing 10% each year with last year being 10% and no grant payment. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. After further discussion, Lux moved to amend the motion to approve a proposed tax rebate starting at 90% and decreasing 10% each year with last two years being 10% for a total of 10 payments and no grant payment, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor opened public hearing on proposed vacation of active road right of way generally described as 8½’x80’ portion of Locust St lying SEly of Ely ext of S ln OP Lot 51 & N of Energy Company Place Lot 1. Staff received no written comments and there were no oral comments. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on proposed vacation of active road right of way generally described as 8½’x80’ portion of Locust St lying SEly of Ely ext of S ln OP Lot 51 & N of Energy Company Place Lot 1. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-41 Vacating Roadway Right-of-Way and transferring same to adjacent property owners, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor opened public hearing on proposed sale of property located at 103 West First Street. Derek Lumsden, Jones County Economic Director advised if Council didn’t take action on the property located at 103 West First Street, that the City would miss the deadline for the Catalyst grant pre-application deadline. Lumsden stated he has a contractor willing to roof the North-South portion of the building for which the City received a Derelict Building Grant in 2020, to remove asbestos in both sections of the building and to replace the roof on the north-south section. The Derelict Building Grant needs to be completed by June 30, 2021, which Lumsden advised could be done. The Catalyst Grant pre-application deadline is April 15th. Council wanted assurance that the project would be completed in a timely matter, unlike the home on North Chestnut Street. Lumsden advised the State’s agreement has remedies to ensure the work is completed and protect the City. Council reviewed the two RFPs that were received, one from Matt Kumley and another from Creative Concept Development LLC. Staff received no written comments and there were no oral comments. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on proposed sale of property located at 103 West First Street. Kumley advised that he would work with the Creative Concept Development LLC, to complete the project. When asked, Mayor advised that Creative Concepts Development LLC was a local group. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2021-42 to approve sale of property located at 103 West First Street, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved to amend the motion to approve Resolution #2021-42, adding to approve the sale to Creative Concepts Development as buyer, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous except Yeoman, who abstained as he is in partnership with Creative Concepts Development. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2021-42 approve sale of property located at 103 West First Street to Creative Concepts Development LLC, as amended, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous except Yeoman, who abstained as he is in partnership with Creative Concepts Development.
Wolken read the Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation declaring April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Emily Parker, Associate Director for Riverview Center thanked the Council for their support and reviewed how they work with our community.
Tom Osborne, Chairman for the July 4th Parade Committee reviewed their request for support for this year’s event, as the Chamber of Commerce Directors have decided they will not sponsor the event. The Chamber will be involved in an advisory and fiscal agent position, along with providing the Director’s time as secretary-treasurer of the committee. The committee is working on fundraising to cover costs of holding the event and purchase liability protection. Goedken moved to approve a $200 donation to the July 4th Parade Committee for 2021, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved to amend the motion to pay the donation from the hotel/motel tax fund, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Goedken moved to approve the amended motion to approve a $200 donation to the July 4th Parade Committee for 2021 and to pay the donation from the hotel/motel tax fund. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-43 Accepting FAA Grant Agreement, project No. 3-19-0061-011-2021, Monticello Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program and directing the City’s Designated Official to execute said grant agreement. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-44 Approving James W & Carole M Collier Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 501 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Tjaden advised to repair the sewer jet nozzle would cost approximately $2,000 and the proposed nozzles would cost $3,705. The anti-blast nozzle feature would protect the property owner while they are jetting the lines. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-45 Approving the purchase of the ENZ Bulldog Anti-blast Nozzle 1” and the Hydroexcavating Nozzle for the City Sewer Jet Truck from Mid-Iowa of
Johnston, Iowa. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Ordinance #740 providing for the Division of Taxes levied on Taxable Property in the 2021 Addition to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area, pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, third and final reading in title only. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #741 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by repealing provisions pertaining to “Library Board of Trustees” as amended by Ordinance 739. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous. Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion duly carried and said ordinance had been given its initial passage. Hanken moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally acted upon, as provided by Section 380.3 of the Code of Iowa, and that the Ordinance #741, be considered for final passage, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous. Whereupon, Lux moved Ordinance #741 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by repealing provisions pertaining to “Library Board of Trustees” as amended by Ordinance 739, third and final reading in title only. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Schwickerath reported on the work completed by Horsfield on the North Sycamore Street project. He also updated Council on the meeting with Cody from Horsfield and will continue to follow-up with Horsfield to ensure the work is completed. Schwickerath advised that Horsfield would address any service line leaks and AY McDonald representative would like to be on-site prior the repairs, if there is an additional leak.
Farnum advised he is working on various grants including for the Airport taxiway extension and apron extension grants; and the Hazardous Mitigation Grants. He is working on a number Economic Development projects like Mike McDonough’s project for Council action. He is also working on three residential development projects.
Kahler advised the IDOT engineer firm with the Hwy 38 project contacted him. The IDOT would like to make all crosswalks and ramps ADA complaint. Kahler reviewed the proposed plan to address the issue on the NE corner of North Maple and First Street by Styles and Smiles. In order to make that corner ADA compliant, the IDOT would need to bump out the corner, which would narrow street down a bit. The other concerns are the mid-block crosswalks near VFW/Theisen’s and at Grand China/Pocket Park. He reviewed these with Chief Smith and they feel the one by VFW and Theisen’s could be removed, but feel it may be a good idea to keep the crosswalk by the Pocket Park and Grand China. These items are not required to be done, however, the IDOT proposes these changes to be as close as possible to ADA compliant. Council will visit the site at the next meeting to review these issues before making a decision. Schwickerath will provide ADA regulations for the Council to review.
Kahler reviewed issues with the sidewalk lights outside the Renaissance Center that shine on the flags. The lights have not been working and one was hit while removing snow. To replace the lights would cost $1,500 plus cost of pulling new wiring. Kahler will look into lighting options.
Kahler advised the Library roof was leaking again after the 5-inch snow fall. There was a lot of snow in the attic from the copula louvers. Farnum stated the damper is temperature controlled in the louver to control the temperature and vent the attic. Brock Barnhart proposed building a new louver that is tipped more and has a mesh to prevent snow getting in, with a new catch tray for around $5,200.
Tjaden reported Royal Flush is installing an injectors system that will produce a solid product at their site for them to haul, which should help at the Sewage Treatment Plant.
Turnis reported they are making plans for their summer reading program. Turnis stated that they added window tint to the library windows.
Wolken advised that he intends to follow the Robert’s Rules of Order for the Council meeting, which should keep the motion moving, and keep the focus on the item being discussed. Wolken stated the USDA grants requires City to do Civil Rights training. We can watch a video individually, then hold a group discussion for the record and that will meet the requirements.
Smith stated the police department is exploring the possibility of restarting the K-9 Program. Officer Zach Buehler has offered to use his personally owned, trained K-9. With the Council’s permission, they will be collecting donations to fund the program. The costs will be considerably less not having to purchase a K-9. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the K-9 program fundraising.
Smith advised that they are planning a Traffic Safety Checkpoint Project in 2021, similar to the one held in 2019. The checkpoint will be held the week on May 31st along South Main Street.
Langerman moved to adjourn at 8:13 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk