Regular Council Meeting
August 16, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Tom Yeoman and Scott Brighton. Mayor Brian Wolken was absent. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. Library Director Michelle Turnis and Police Chief Britt Smith arrived during meeting. 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 amended agenda, adding Kardes C-Store liquor license and removing the closed session; Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore, questioned who did Harvey Johnson’s lawn repairs following the water leak issue on Main Street. They did a really nice job and wanted to hire them to do his yard from the Sycamore project.
Brenda Hanken questioned where City was on the CDBG surveys. Farnum stated he would need to meet with Mayor Wolken to see where they are and then set a date to pick them up and Clerk’s Office will resend out the letters.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kaye Junion, 245 North Arminda, stated that Police Chief Smith meet with Bob Hendricks and Doug Herman to discuss the Heritage Museum plan to host a vendor fair during the Monti in Motion event. Council decided to follow-up on this after the Police Chief arrives.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-89 Approving Ben Bollwitt Tax Abatement
Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 5 Spring Farm Lane, Unit #2, Monticello, Iowa, Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum recommended the Council designate use of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) primarily for funding water and sewer capital improvements, in particular design and construction of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. City is estimated to get approximately $500,000 in two tranches. City has until December 31, 2024 to obligate the funds and until 2026 to spend the funds. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-90 Designating American Rescue Plan funding for use on the Waste Water Treatment Facility expansion and related Water and Sewer projects, Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported the proposed easements formalize access to underground utilities the City owns and operates on Orbis and Energy properties on Plastic Lane. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-91 to approve Public Utility and Storm Water Easement with Orbis Corporation and direct recordation of same, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-92 to approve Public Sanitary Easement with Energy and direct recordation of same, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-93 to approve the acquisition of Credit Cards for various departments. Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Mitigation has money for infrastructure and acquisition/demolition projects under its Mitigation Grant Program. The program provides FEMA grants at 75%, with Iowa grant of 10% and City match of 15%, which can be either cash or in-kind contributions. Farnum prepared applications for these eligible projects: 1) Backup generator for Fire Department; 2) Backup generator for West Well and 3) Acquisition and demolition of 202 North Main Street (flood plain property). In order to proceed Council must now commit to the local match and designate an Authorized Representative to work with the Iowa HSEMD to finalize the applications and execute all of the grant related documents. Due to last summer’s derecho, FEMA and HSEMD have funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for projects that help communities be better prepared for future disastrous events. Farnum recommended using the natural gas generators for both the Fire Department and West Well. City share (15%) of each gas generator would be $8,325. Farnum reviewed the proposed flood plain buyout of 202 North Main Street property, which is just north of the Hyvee Dollar Fresh site. The main building is on the fringe of the flood plain and the detached garage is in the flood plain. If bought out the City would not be allowed to build on the site, however, City would be allowed to extend a path of trail through this property in the future. Council questioned if anyone would be interested in purchasing the property, with Dollar Fresh next door. The estimated city share (15%) would be $55,500. Property owner Richard Wolken was present and reported the building was flooded several times and it has flooded when Delhi dam broke, the downstairs apartments were 8 feet deep. Yeoman moved to approve Local Match Resolution #2021-94 for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program for Fire Department. Hanken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-95 designating and authorizing Russell Farnum, City Administrator, as City Representative to sign all documents related to the Mitigation Project providing funding to assist with the Backup Generator for the Fire Department, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Local Match Resolution #2021-96 for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program for West Well. Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-97 designating and authorizing Russell Farnum, City Administrator, as City Representative to sign all documents related to the Mitigation Project providing funding to assist with the Backup Generator for the West Well, Hanken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Local Match Resolution #2021-98 for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program for Flood Plain Buy-out of 202 North Main Street. Yeoman seconded. Roll call: Ayes: Langerman, Lux and Yeoman. Nays: Goedken, Hanken and Brighton. Motion failed.
Being previous resolution failed no action was taken on resolution designating and authorizing Russell Farnum, City Administrator, as City Representative to sign all documents related to the Mitigation Project providing funding to assist with the Flood Plain Buy-out of 202 North Main Street.
Farnum reported Council previously adopted ordinance limiting the time period for full exemption from taxation as set forth in Chapter 10, Urban Revitalization of the City Code. During the codification process, Ordinance #722 was inadvertently left out. Council needs to re-adopt the ordinance to have it be included in the Code Book. Langerman introduced and moved Ordinance #749 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Chapter 10 Urban Revitalization, “Section 10.10 Exemption”, first reading in title only. Hanken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Smith reported the Heritage Museum is planning an open house and on-site vendors to coincide with Monti in Motion. Smith met with Bob Hendricks and Doug Herman to discuss the Heritage Museum plans. It was decided to keep the cars on First Street for Monti in Motion’s event. Plans are to close Second Street from alleyway behind Kardes C-Store and Sycamore Street and Sycamore Street from Second Street to northern line of the Museum property, thus keeping the intersection of Sycamore and Second Streets open to traffic. They will set up vendors on the grass lot and the two sections of closed streets. Smith felt being Monti in Motion was not required to get vendor permits that the Museum vendors would not also. Langerman moved to authorized the Heritage Museum vendors to setup without vendor permits, like the Monti in Motion vendors. Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported the Northridge plats would be on the next P & Z Board meeting and then the Council meeting. Farnum is waiting for the new plans from Dollar Fresh. Much of the lot has been filled in. Farnum reported City Engineer contacted contractor for Sycamore Street Project and attempting to reach agreement on how to proceed with proposed repairs.
Hinrichsen advised the next Council meeting would be held on September 7th, as the 6th is Labor Day. Hinrichsen stated the Iowa Government Services had a “Buy It” program that allowed every City to purchase up to $9,500 of computer hardware. Deadline to submit order was August 15th. Computer packages were ordered for Police Department and Parks Department and two additional laptops were ordered.
Hinrichsen reported the City 2020 Census numbers have been released and Monticello population increased 244 people and the total is now 4040.
Tjaden reported Eastern Iowa fixed the manhole on Second Street and will pour concrete in morning. Eastern Iowa also fixed the water valve on Buckeye Street. He advised there has been a leak on Cedar Street and are looking to hydro-excavate to find what is leaking and will determine route to repair from there.
Smith gave an update on the sidewalk repairs being made on Linden Street, North Cedar Street and Maple Street. Ward 3 residents were given 90 days to make repairs, if not completed they will be sent a reminder giving them an additional 30 days and if not completed, the City will hire a contractor to compete the work.
Oswald stated the Monticello Pickle Ball Courts were submitted to the Iowa League of Cities – People’s Choice project and voting began. To vote, go to the “Iowa League of Cities” facebook page and “like” our picture.
Turnis reported the permanent story walk was ordered and plan to install this fall.
Brighton moved to adjourn at 7:05 PM.
Dave Goedken, Mayor Pro Tem
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk