Regular Council Meeting – Official
August 19, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Rob Paulson, Candy Langerman and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath, Water/Wastewater Supervisor Jim Tjaden and Park Director Jacob Oswald. Council members Brenda Hanken and Tom Yeoman were absent.
Goedken moved to approve the agenda adding Legacy Lanes liquor license transfer to 112 E First Street, and K Food Mart new owner’s cigarette and liquor licenses approval, pending all proper paperwork being completed to the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Bud Johnson, 939 Deer Run Drive, commented that he was glad the Council approved the site for the Pickle Ball Court and would like to start cement work this fall. He reported the school had a 20’ X 30’ pavilion shelter by the girls’ softball field that they agreed to donate to the City. Johnson would like to put it by the Pickle Ball Court on concrete. Oswald talked to City of Keokuk who recently built a court and they received five grants to help fund their project. Johnson stated if the City would guarantee $12,000 towards the Pickle Ball Court through grants and/ or other funding, then he would cover the remaining costs. This will be on next agenda for discussion.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda as amended, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-114 Approving Kenneth and Mary Lyons Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 507 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa, Lux seconded, and roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Hinrichsen prepared the Annual City Street Financial Report. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-115 Approving and Adopting the Annual City Street Financial Report for fiscal year 2018/2019, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the three mowing bids received related to Baty Disc Golf Course and Northridge Retention structure. Steve Monk Construction & Lawn Care was the low bidder. Herman included in the resolution to direct him to work with Monk Construction to update the current contract with regards to all City mowing and expectations related thereto. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-116 to approve mowing bids related to Baty Disc Golf Course and Northridge Retention Structure, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the City is holding the retainage to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete related to the downtown parking lot / Pocket Park project. The retainage is being held due to the fact that American Fence had not provided a lien waiver to the City or Eastern Iowa. They withheld the issuance of the lien waiver after Eastern Iowa reduced their contract payment by $5,000 based upon the City’s assessment of $5,000 in liquidated damages due to project delays, all of which were caused by American Fence. Portions of the American Fence failed due to poor design and when Herman contacted them, they agreed to replace those sections at no cost. Another section was hit by a semi and City received insurance payment to repair/ replace that section. American Fence will be doing that repair work and will be paid from insurance proceeds. Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-117 Approving payment of retainage to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete related to the Downtown Parking Lot Project in the amount of $6,999.86, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman review an aerial map prepared by County Auditor Janine Sulzner with an area affected by the County Board of Supervisors’ 1862 street and alley vacation in the City. Basically, the street and alleyway platted between Walnut Street and Chestnut Street; and south of Third Street, were never developed or used for street/ alley purposes. City and County would address all impacted parcels in this block and transfer the vacated property to the property owners and to help clear their title, by way of one deed from both the City and the County. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-118 to recognize the past vacation of R.O.W. and to authorize the execution and delivery of Quit Claim Deed to adjacent property owner(s), Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Barry reported the contractor on the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project is finishing up the utility work on Sixth Street and Seventh Street. They will pave the entire width of the street including curb and gutter from Second Street to Seventh Street. They will do a 35’ area from First Street to Second Street and then do the parking areas and curb and gutter separately. They are also working on the storm sewer on Seventh Street.
Herman reported the Water Dept replaced a valve and added two other valves at the intersection of North Gill Street and Sixth Street. Tjaden reported while working on the project they discovered a brick sewer manhole that should be replaced to prevent water infiltration into the system and two lead water lines that were removed. There are also some storm sewer catch basins that are in bad shape at this intersection and would add three ADA crosswalks, if the intersection is reconstructed. Herman asked Engineers to work to develop a repair/ replacement plan for this intersection to address the issues that were not completed. Most of the intersection is currently torn up, so it would be a good time to do it. This work will not be done before school starts and Herman has talked to school regarding this. Barry stated the surveyor will look at the area tomorrow and will work to have preliminary plans and cost by next week.
Kahler reported that the bid information for the white garbage truck is ready and will be sent to the local garbage haulers to see if interested, with an August 30th deadline.
Kahler reported they will need a pickup truck to plow the alleys. He would like to purchase a ¾ ton pickup to put the plow on. He said they plan to keep the red garbage truck until Council decide what they plan to do with the yard waste pickup when the yard waste site opens. Kahler suggested getting rid of the red garbage truck and to purchase a dump trailer to pick up the yard waste, as it could be used for other projects or to haul items. Herman stated he contacted several cities and most cities with a compost site, do not pick up yard waste.
Kahler report Ace Concrete has started replacing sidewalks that the City was asked to replace for the homeowner.
Kahler reported that LL Pelling has completed the sealcoating project and they will sweep up the rocks in a few weeks after the sealcoating has a chance to cure properly.
Tjaden reported the fire hydrant flushing was near completion
Herman reviewed Armin Jacob’s request to consider reimbursement following the water main break on North Gill Street. After discussion, Herman was directed to submit the information to the City’s insurance company.
Herman reported receiving two proposals for the City land sale near Jaycees/ Kleinow ball diamonds. One proposal from neighbors wanting to add to their rear yards and the other from a party who wants to build a new single family home. Herman asked each one to submit a written proposal to him prior to the next Council meeting for the Council to consider. Herman reviewed where the water and sewer services would need to be run to connect to this lot.
Herman reported a MEMT member suggested to Council member Lux that the Council should consider the creation of an Ambulance Board similar to what existed in the past. Lux stated that MEMT is a nonprofit organization that supports the ambulance service. MEMT members President Ben Hein and Drew Haag would serve on the Board, two trustees from the County and two past ambulance employees. They feel this would improve the communication between the ambulance and Council; and an ambulance unit could have been purchased sooner. No action was taken.
Langerman move to adjourn at 7:00 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk