Regular Council Meeting
April 7, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Scott Brighton, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Josh Brenneman and Jake Ellwood. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Water/Wastewater Supt. Jim Tjaden, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. Council member Mary Phelan was absent. 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.
Langerman moved to approve the agenda. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda; Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened Public Hearing on the proposed City of Monticello Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget amendments. No public comments were received. Mayor closed the
hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-37 Approving the City’s Amendment #1 to the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened Public Hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Street Sweeper Acquisition Loan/Lease-Purchase Agreement. No public comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-38 taking additional action on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Street Sweeper Acquisition Loan/Lease-Purchase Agreement. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened Public Hearing on proposed vacation of right of way generally described as Lot 1 of Welter’s First Addition, except Parcel 2015-61. No public comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-39 approving vacation of portion of right of way easement and transfer of same to adjacent property owner. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Donna Zimmerman proposed to paint a mural to honor our Veterans. The mural portrays a young Soldier sitting on steps and reading a letter from home. The mural is proposed in the back portion of the Renaissance Center lobby, at the bottom of the steps to the Library, which would wrap around the three walls within the alcove area. Zimmerman would like to complete the mural by Memorial Day, so it can be unveiled for Memorial Services. Zimmerman understands that this is a mural directly painted on the drywall, and at some point, may be painted over if it becomes damaged or ages to the point it’s no longer feasible to maintain. Zimmerman only requests a minor stipend to cover her costs for paint and supplies. Brighton moved to authorize Donna Zimmerman to paint mural in the back portion of the Renaissance Center lobby, at the bottom of the steps to the Library, which would wrap around the three walls within the alcove area and payment not to exceed $500 to Donna Zimmerman. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-40 Scheduling Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2025/2026 Fiscal Year budget for April 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-41 Approving Jones County SAFE and Healthy Youth Coalition Investment and agreement for FY ’26 in the amount of $3,000.00. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2025-42 Approving Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority Investment and Agreement for FY ‘26 in the amount of $3,030.00, plus five (5) water samplings. Goedken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-43 Approving Jones County Economic Development (JCED) Investment and agreement for FY ’26. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-44 Approving Monticello Firefighters of Iowa Organization Inc., planning of the Independence Day Fireworks festivities to be held on July 4, 2025 and authorizes payment in the amount of $2,600.00 towards the fireworks. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-45 Approving Jones County JETS Transportation System investment and agreement for FY ‘26 in the amount of $1,500.00. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2025-46 Approving Jones County Senior Dining investment and agreement for FY ‘26 in the amount of $4,838.00. Goedken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-47 Approving Jones County Tourism Investment and Agreement for FY ’26 in the amount of $1,212.00, plus 4% of the Monticello Hotel/Motel tax. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Council questioned the signage the Chamber was proposing and what other funding sources were helping to fund the signs, such as donations or grants. Chamber Director Megan Beaman stated at this time there were no other funding sources. Beaman advised she is working with Main Street and would like the signage similar to their proposed signage for Main Street district. Brighton moved to table action on approving Monticello Chamber of Commerce investment and agreement, until April 21, 2025, to allow them to bring back a design or concept of the proposed signage, cost sharing details, and how other Chambers are funded. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-48 Approving Monticello Main Street Iowa Investment and agreement for FY ’26. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-49 Approving Purchase of a Sewer Camera System with Trailer. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-50 Approving Preliminary and Final Plat of Shorey Acres Subdivision. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-51 Approving Change Order #2 in the decreased amount of $6,129.32, as submitted by Bill Bruce Builders related to the Monticello Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. Goedken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2025-52 To accept /approve a perpetual Ingress/Egress Easement with Michael and Emily Kraus as described in the Ingress/Egress Easement Plat. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2025-53 reporting all employees’ wages for calendar year ending December 31, 2024. Goedken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kim Tauke, 416 South Linden addressed Council regarding concern about accessing their property and parking cars in driveway if Lumpa is allowed to put in his proposed fence. Tauke and her husband want to be neighborly. Brighton went down to the property to search for a property pin and was not able to locate one and recommended the property be surveyed. Dave Lumpa, 410 South Linden stated he talked to the abstract company in Manchester and was advised to just measure back from his garage and square it off and that would be the lot lines. Goedken stated the City Code states that if the neighboring property owner refuses to sign building permit, the property has to get a survey. Brighton moved to table Dave Lumpa’s building permit for fence located at 410 South Linden Street, until a survey is completed. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Peach advised there is proposed State legislation on how Emergency Management would be funded and may cost the City if passed.
Kahler thanked Council for authorizing the purchase of street sweeper.
Tjaden advised the pumps at the Treatment Plant quit working and he had to hand pump the sewage for 2 ½ hours until EP arrived and made the repairs needed, which took until 10 PM.
Oswald reported on activities and registrations that are starting or they are working on. Oswald advised he received a $9,900 tree grant for right-of-way trees. There will be around 80 trees available to be planted in the right-of-way only. Anyone interested in a tree should reach out to Oswald.
Brehm reported on upcoming activities happening at the Library. Brehm also advised an Executive Order signed by President Trump is cutting funding for the State Library, which will be cutting funding to libraries like Monticello.
Hinrichsen advised that City has received several payments from the Setoff Program.
Council took a short break before the work session. Schwickerath advised the traffic counts completed by the IDOT at the intersection of South Main and Welter Drive would not warrant a traffic signal at this time. If issues arise, City could do another study. Schwickerath went over several points that are looked at to warrant a traffic signal. No action was taken.
Goedken questioned the status of the Sixth Street Ditch Project. Farnum advised the easements are completed and ready for property owners to sign. He will be setting up meetings with property owners to discuss the plans to move forward.
Brenneman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer