Regular Council Meeting – Official
August 21, 2017 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dena Himes called the meeting to order. Council present: Brian Wolken, Johnny Russ and Chris Lux and Council member Tom Yeoman joined the meeting electronically. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen and Public Works Director Brant LaGrange. Council members Dave Goedken and Rob Paulson were absent.
Wolken moved to approve the agenda with Agenda Item number 2 being removed as that item had previously been approved by the Council, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
During the open forum Tom Harmon addressed the Council in regard to his interest in purchasing city owned property at 224 N. Chestnut. Harmon understood that the Council has requested proposals from interested parties in regard to the purchase and use of the lot and suggested that the Council, in considering those proposals, also consider selling the property by way of a live auction. Russ indicated that the Council was interested in finding the best fit for the neighborhood and would also consider the potential taxable valuation of any improvement. Herman advised that a public hearing would be held before any sale of the property and that the Council would be considering proposals at the September 5th meeting.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
The Council heard from the new owner of the gas station located at 616 S. Main Street. The City Council discussed signage design and location as well as gas pump and canopy location with the new owner. Romy Tej Pal Kapoor, the new owner, requested that the sign, pumps and canopy be allowed to remain at this time due to the expense of sign removal and replacement and the inability to sell fuel without the pumps and canopy. Wolken moved to allow the pumps and canopy to remain in their current location subject to a written agreement that requires the pumps and canopy to be removed should the business close or fail to sell fuel for a period of time in the future, and to allow the signs to be used at this time allowing the Planning & Zoning Board an opportunity to review the existing signage and signage options, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #17-93 to request Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within City limits of the City of Monticello, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the League of Cities Conference will be held in Davenport in September. Council should let Hinrichsen know if interested in attending.
Herman handed out the Engineer’s report and a list of possible street repairs prepared by LaGrange.
Herman presented options to the Council with regard to a yard waste site that could be set up to handle yard waste, tree debris and branches, and leaves. The City currently collects all of these items from the curb and delivers yard waste and leaves to a farmer for composting, with a fee paid to the farmer, and delivers tree related debris to the tree dump, collecting one half of the community each week. Herman believes that the City would need to two acre parcel for this purpose. Resident Kay Junion indicated that many seniors don’t have pickups to haul waste to the site and can’t afford to hire someone to do it. Resident Gary Pratt questioned the hours the site would be open and if the City would still collect sticks and yard waste separately. Herman explained that it would likely be run as a self-serve program with residents being allowed to take the compost and wood chips free of charge. Council agreed that Herman should continue to collect more information on this topic.
Herman reported the Extension Office is willing to offer Urban Chicken training for a fee or there is online training available for free. Consensus of the Council was to require in-class training.
Wolken moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 6:36 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Dena Himes, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk