Regular Council Meeting
August 2, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Council member Scott Brighton joined the meeting via Zoom. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and Library Director Michelle Turnis. 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. Brighton joined the meeting.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Brighton lost connection prior to the vote.
Jones County Economic Development Executive Director Derek Lumsden reviewed the Jones County Child Care Feasibility Study that was recently completed with input from families, employers and child care providers. There are 71 families that are looking for childcare in Jones County. They recommend forming a Countywide Child Care Task Force, look into Childcare in Home incentives, re-do survey every couple of years, and they felt a good location for a childcare center if needed would be near the Linn – Jones County line.
Lumsden reported the City has collected around 180 CDBG grant surveys and need around 450. If the City received the CDBG grant, the funds would be used for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Council needs to decide how the proceed to attempt to collect the other surveys. Brighton rejoined the meeting.
Tony Amsler gave a presentation from the Monticello Community Building Improvement Committee. The Committee made recommendations for areas where improvements or repairs should be made on the second level, they received some cost estimates for some of the proposed work. The Committee feels it is the responsibility of Council to address these issues and to establish a plan for improvements. Goedken stated the study completed in 2014 by Ament Design the wiring was an area that needs to be addressed first. Yeoman stated in 2014, the Council could not come to an agreement on what to do with the second floor and that was one of the reasons it was removed from the plan.
Mike Whittenbaugh, from Cahoy Group, reported the findings on the condition of the north well that was pulled, and their proposal for maintenance and/or repairs with a cost estimate of $69,784.00. They recommend the wells be pulled every 7 years, however it was last pulled 10 to 11 years ago. He estimated about a 3-week lead time to get parts from their vendors for the project and would start when parts arrived. Tjaden stated they are currently down one well until this one is back online. Farnum advised an internal loan, if approved by Council, would cover the cost estimate for the north well. The proposed resolution to possibly bond for the project in the future needs to be done prior to the start of the project to stay in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, and would come back to Council prior to bonding for this. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-85 To Approve Maintenance & Repairs to North Well as proposed by Cahoy Group, Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-86 Approving internal loan from the General Fund to the Water Operating Fund in an amount not to exceed $69,784.00, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-87 Resolution related to the financing of a project proposed to be undertaken by the City of Monticello, Iowa; establishing compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Wolken stated Alliant recommended placing a light fixture at the entrance at the Park and Ride along Amber Road. Langerman moved to approve Resolution 2021-88 Street Lighting Resolution, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #744 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to Floodplain Management, as updated, third and final reading in title only. Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved Ordinance #745 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to “Liquor Licenses and Wine and Beer Permits”, third and final reading in title only. Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous. Brighton lost Zoom connection.
Council discussed the rates proposed, possible funding options and budget. Langerman moved Ordinance #746 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to “Water Service System” related to “Rates For Services”, third and final reading in title only. Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous. Brighton rejoined the meeting.
Langerman moved Ordinance #747 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to “Sewer Service Charges” related to “Sewer Service Charges Required”, third and final reading in title only. Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Lux moved Ordinance #748 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to “Storm Water Drainage Utility” related to “Rates”, third and final reading in title only. Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Wolken reviewed the Lynch Dallas attorney invoice and recommended setting a policy and/or procedures on contacting the City attorney. Recommendation was for Mayor, Council and City staff to contact City Administrator prior to contacting the attorney to keep the costs down. The public also needs to contact the City staff and not the attorney directly.
Farnum reported the heat exchanger for his office and conference room failed when the compressor went out and there are 4 or 5 others at City Hall that are the same age and condition.
Farnum working with Senior Dining to use the Community Room above City Hall every day except Wednesday from 11 am to 2 pm. Parking will be an issue. Any agreement will come back to the Council for approval.
Farnum reported having good discussion with Dollar Fresh representatives to work out the final engineering details so they can begin construction. Innovation Lab has installed roof top heating and cooling systems and had a delivery of drywall. He also met with Doug Herman to go over the City handbook and hoping to finalize that soon.
Kahler reported the Cemetery roadway was started today. He stated he was going to place an ad for sealed bids for the old pickup. Council discussed removing the bushes between the row of trees on the East end of the cemetery.
Tjaden reported that all three staff members are now grade III wastewater operators. He advised the water main on South Main Street across from the football field is cracked and it is a City issue to repair.
Oswald reported around 200 people attended the Family Fun Night and raised around $1,800 for the Inclusive Playground to be built near the pool. Duck Drop will be at the end of August. Flag football and co-ed softball registrations are beginning. Oswald questioned if the Council wanted to do Fall planting of trees, if so, they will need to get the list together.
Oswald reported the aquatic center hours will be fluctuating as the lifeguards head back to college.
Turnis advised she sent Council the newsletter. She also advised the storyboard walk was vandalized this last week, posts were pulled and thrown into the river again. She had it removed until the permanent posts are installed. The Summer Reading Program is winding down. Staff will be attending the school open houses to reach out to families. Kahler advised the contractor looked at the library roof issue and recommended making a hood to go over the vents, which would be a cheaper than the option proposed by Barnhart Construction previously.
Goedken moved to adjourn at 8:07 PM.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk