Regular Council Meeting
August 17, 2020 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Gary Feldmann, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Park and Recreation Director Jacob Oswald. City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath joined electronically. 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, removing closed session to discuss a real estate transaction pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j), Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Open Forum: Herman reported that the Express correctly reported that there would be a Public Information meeting on the Federal Grant related to the Sixth Street Waterway, however, for various reasons, the Public Information Meeting is being rescheduled to September 8, 2020. At the Public Information meeting the public can provide input on the Sixth Street Ditch Project. Herman provided further information to some residents of the Sixth Street Waterway that were in attendance.
Stuart Gerdes, 615 North Sycamore Street addressed concerns regarding availability of trees to be planted this fall on North Sycamore Street, following the recent Derecho storm in Iowa. Herman reported that two Tree Board members had visited the Morrison Nursery in Dubuque and he understood that they had identified approximately 15 trees to be planted yet this fall.
Jan Tackett, 532 North Cedar, asked if the City could accept Public Comment on the Sixth Street Waterway grant tonight, even though the meeting had been rescheduled. Herman reported that the Federal Grant requires that the City hold a Public Information Meeting.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-89 to request Abatement of accrued and future Property Taxes on City owned property utilized for public purposes within the City limits of the City of Monticello. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-90 To schedule Public Information Meeting related to the City of Monticello’s intent to file an USDA Grant Application requesting grant funds to assist with the 6th Street Ditch Waterway Storm Water improvement project, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Public Information Meeting will be held on September 8th at 6 pm.
Herman explained that consideration of the third reading of the Ordinance to approve the updated City Code was tabled at the last Council meeting and to give further consideration to the third reading could be accomplished by a motion and a second to take the tabled motion from the table. Yeoman moved to take the third and final consideration of the Code of Ordinances from the table, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. After discussion was held, Goedken move to amend provisions related to definition of “permanent dust free pavement” adding sealcoating to that definition; to grandfather all existing driveways, parking areas and approaches allowing them to remain as is until there is major street construction project or they make improvements; concrete driveways can’t revert back to gravel, said changes being primarily tied to Section 165.41(5) as set out by the City Administrator in the Council Packet Communication Page, and amending the Code as it pertains to the determination whether or not a sidewalk is defective, providing that both horizontal and vertical separation as set out at Section 136.02(A) and (B) will be considered compliant unless it exceeds ¾ inch, Feldmann seconded, roll call unanimous except Lux who voted nay. Yeoman moved and Goedken seconded adopt Ordinance #728 adopting the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, as amended, third and final reading and in title only, roll call unanimous. Herman will work with Iowa Codification to update and finalize the proposed Code as amended.
Herman reviewed four ordinances proposed for approval by Iowa Codification that incorporate 2020 State of Iowa Legislative changes. Herman recommended that the Council waive the requirement that the Ordinance be considered at three separate meetings so that these amendments could be codified with the newly approved Code.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #729 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to Animal Control, in title only and further moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior 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 be considered for final passage and adopted, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #730 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to Standard Penalty, in title only and further moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior 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 be considered for final passage and adopted, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #731 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to Tobacco Use, in title only and further moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior 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 be considered for final passage and adopted, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #732 to Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello. Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to Tobacco Use, in title only and further moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior 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 be considered for final passage and adopted, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed nuisance abatements located on Locust Street and North Sycamore Street; one having just went to Court and the other being scheduled for Court. Herman asked whether or not the Council would support the City hiring a contractor to repair a failed roof or to remove the failing structure on Third Street should the Court permit that approach after which a lien would be placed on the property. The Council consented to that approach.
Herman reported that brick some brick pavers have been installed on West First Street with more planned for the fall. When work is completed, the pavers will be installed from N Chestnut to just past Regions Bank on the north side of West First Street and from the Presbyterian Church to the Glass Tap on the south side of West First Street.
Herman reported that the Hometown Pride Committee is working on plans for Main Street Iowa, trails and looking into a movie theater.
Herman reviewed various options with FEMA and Hazard Mitigation programs available to purchase and demolish the former Energy building on North Main Street.
Tjaden continues to work with the IDNR and City Engineer on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade plan.
Herman suggested the Council needs to consider increases to water and sewer rates and to consider whether or not they want to impose any type of fee related to the Compost site. Herman advised he will add these items to the next agenda for discussion and consideration.
Kahler reported that Steve Monk is working on the Sixth Street and Gill Street intersection.
Oswald reported the trail to the Middle school is poured. The City will seed along the trail after grading. Oswald indicated that the Park and Recreation Dept. will be purchasing software to allow on line registrations, rentals, and payments.
Smith reported that the flashing trail beacons to be installed at the High School trail crossing have been ordered and will be installed when received.
Tjaden reported that treatment plant pump repairs will cost $8,000.
Tjaden reported that Midwest Injection Inc. is transporting sludge to the Cedar Rapids Treatment Plant to be processed. When asked if this was tied to the Livestock Truck Wash Facility Herman advised that it may be, however, he could not be certain, that we are seeing more sludge than in the past. Tjaden stated the planned sewer plant upgrades will help with this process.
Tjaden reported that three fire hydrants, near Shannon School, on Park Blvd and by the City shop will be replaced.
Schwickerath advised that whether or not copper service lines should be repaired/patched versus being replaced requires a case by case review. He also indicated that the SUDAS definition of suitable backfill allows for clean rock.
Herman explained that the water intake and sidewalk adjacent to Bud Coyle’s property was not installed at the elevations provided by the plans. Herman asked the Engineer for their opinion whether dirt could be placed in Bud Coyle’s yard, as previously recommended by Councilman Goedken, as opposed to asking Horsfield to remove and replace the walk and intake per the plans. Schwickerath recommended that Horsfield fix the drainage issue by lowering the intake and sidewalk and to install them as it was designed, that adding dirt to the yard would merely chase the water to another location.
Herman showed the Council a picture of Dave Lumpa’s sewer service line that was taken by Roto Rooter, showing roots in his service line, not the City main as Lumpa alleged at the last meeting.
Feldmann moved to adjourn at 7:38 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk