Regular Council Meeting – Official
August 5, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, 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, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath and Park Director Jacob Oswald.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Steve Hanken, 823 S Main St, commented on the DNR State Revolving Loan funds available, which he suggested the City look into for the sewer treatment plant improvements. Wolken stated City Engineer is working on plans and estimated costs before they could move forward. Jeff Bauer, 735 Breckenridge Dr, commented on Accent Construction lot behind his property. Bauer stated lot is being used as a dump /storage site and weeds, mosquitoes and other wildlife are safety issue. Water is not draining due to all the sand and running onto his property. He talked with Nuisance Abatement Officer Bob Urbain last year, Accent then came and trimmed the bottom of the trees instead of the tops that are rubbing against his shed. Smith stated he presented pictures to the Council at a recent Council meeting regarding the issue for input and direction. Herman is looking into the Code regarding outside storage. Herman will meet with Smith and set up a meeting with Accent to address these issues and place item on P & Z agenda for suggestions. Brenda Hanken, 291 N Pine St, commented on the water leak by Shannon School and asked if it would be repaired prior to school starting. Kahler stated Water/Wastewater Superintendent has been working with Herman to get repair estimates. Brenda Hanken also suggested looking into having Council meetings every other week as opposed to the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded. All voted aye, except Hanken who voted nay. Motion carried.
Smith reviewed the proposed Panther Prowl road race route for August 17th. Yeoman moved to approve the Panther Prowl road race on August 17th from 9 AM to 10:30 AM, with route being on Valley Dr, Northridge Dr, John Dr and Hardscrabble Rd., Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-107 Approving Pay Request #4 from Horsfield Construction related to North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $296,276.25, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-108 Approving Change Order #4 submitted by Horsfield Construction, Inc. related to the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $4,720.00 associated with the removal of a previously unknown fuel tank under the street near Theisen’s Garden Center, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Schwickerath reported that the N. Sycamore Street project is on schedule, indicating that some paving could begin in the near future.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-109 Approving Benjamin and Angela Cashner Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 1002 Valley Drive, Monticello, Iowa, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler requested a proposal from LL Pelling to sealcoat a number of streets, which have not been sealcoated for a number of years. The proposal included Walnut Street from Grand Street to Buckeye Street; Washington Street from the end of the new concrete from South Cedar Street project to Chestnut Street; Pinehaven Drive from Ridgeview Road to Southhaven Drive and the City access to the water tower off of Celgo Avenue, in the amount of $19,132. Kahler explained that LL Pelling equipment is designed for sealcoating, where the City equipment is outdated and imperfect in its’ application of oil and rock. Pelling’s spreaders and oil will create a better finished product. Kahler suggested the City staff work in front of Pelling to patch holes which will reduce the estimated cost to $16,932. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-110 Approving contracting with LL Pelling Co to complete various Sealcoating projects, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman presented a draft 28E Agreement between the City and the Department of Corrections that would allow the City to utilize Penitentiary inmates for various City needs. The City would be expected to provide transportation and supervision for the offenders with the Penitentiary providing sack lunches. City would be billed $5.00 per day per offender. The offenders, they assign to work on 28E agreements, are offenders who are nearing their release dates. Any City staff responsible for supervising the inmates would need to attend a 2 -3 hour training. Herman suggested Dan McDonald, Nick Kahler, Britt Smith, Jacob Oswald and himself to attend the training. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-111 Approving agreement between The Iowa Department of Corrections and the City of Monticello as provided by Chapter 28E of the Iowa Code, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Oswald discussed a desire to expand on the indoor Pickle Ball success by adding outdoor courts. Cost estimates for the Courts that were proposed to be constructed along Diamond Drive were presented. Herman advised that a donor agreed to pay for the concrete which accounted for approximately one-half of the overall project cost of $29,550. The resolution approves the proposed location and authorizes the Parks Department to pursue grants and seek other funding sources in the coming months. The project will be brought back to the City Council for final approval. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-112 Approving proposed Pickle Ball location and continued planning related thereto, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Derek Lumsden, Jones County Economic Development reported the City was not chosen as a new Main Street Iowa community, but received good reviews by the commission. The Main Street Iowa commission encouraged the City to reapply in two years and gave advice on areas that would make their application stronger. Based on the interest in the Main Street Iowa program, Monticello has been offered the opportunity to receive a “Downtown Assessment” which is performed by the Iowa Downtown Resource Center for $1,000. They will perform an intense on-site study of the downtown, including a public presentation and a 20+ page written report that can be used in our planning efforts. Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-113 Approving Downtown Assessment by Iowa Downtown Resource Center, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Herman thanked Lumsden for all his time and effort put into the Main Street Application.
Goedken moved Ordinance #726 amending Chapter 165 “Zoning Regulations” and amending the Official Zoning map, approving rezoning of Property located at 215 W. 7th Street from M-1 Light Manufacturing to R-3 Condominium District, third and final reading and in title only, Langerman seconded. Roll call: All ayes except Yeoman who abstained.
Schwickerath reviewed the previously submitted plans and costs from 2017 for the North Chestnut Street proposed project. Goedken saw no need to tear out the sidewalks or trees between 1st and 2nd Streets. Council discussed the debt limit for the City. Hanken stated the Sewer treatment plant project will be a big project and doesn’t feel the City should continue going into debt. Goedken explained that large projects cannot be completed without debt. Herman explained that water and sewer projects can be funded with revenue bonds as opposed to general obligation debt, however, expressed his opinion that the Council would look at both General Obligation Debt and Revenue Bonds as options as the sewer plant planning proceeds.
Kahler discussed the potential sale of one of two City owned garbage trucks at this time with the potential future sale of the other truck after a yard waste collection decision is made. Kahler and Herman will get notices out to potential bidders on the older white garbage truck at this time.
Kahler stated he was working with Smith on Ward I sidewalk inspections. The Clerk’s Office is now getting forms back which state the repairs have been made and they will go back to inspect the completed work.
Kahler reported that rock had been placed around the concrete flume near Birch Street that had been undermined. Goedken questioned if more permanent repairs might be necessary.
Herman reviewed sidewalk at 6th Street and N Gill Street, which goes from 6th Street to property owner’s driveway. There is no other sidewalk on that side of the street and owner questioned whether it could be removed. City recently tore a portion of the sidewalk out during a water main repair. Herman also informed the Council of a comment received from a S. Chestnut Street property owner questioning why he needed to repair his sidewalk when it did not fully extend to the intersection of S. Chestnut Street and Buckeye Street.
Kahler reported that the Public Works staff has been helping at the Cemetery, helped remove trees off the end of the crosswind runway, and added rock to the Willow Park lot next to Pizza Ranch. Herman stated that there had been a verbal agreement with the previous owner of Pizza Ranch that Pizza Ranch would take care of rock placement, grading, and, snow removal as opposed to paying rent and that verbal agreement had not been mentioned to the current owner. Herman asked the Council if they were of the opinion that Pizza Ranch should participate in the lot maintenance and they agreed that they should in some respect. Herman will visit with Pizza Ranch owner to discuss.
Kahler informed the Council of an abandoned 8” clay storm sewer tile found on South Street that was undermining the street. He also informed the Council that Brian Monk was hired to install drainage pipe and to perform some grading in the Northridge retention pond area to remove ruts and improve drainage, making the area easier to maintain. Kahler has a chipper lined up and will be trimming trees in the near future. The Public Works staff will also be updating City signage that is not up to code requirements.
Herman reviewed pictures of the ditch along Cedar and Main Street, where the rip rap was added to ditch embankment to prevent further washout. Goedken suggested that a concrete wall be installed in the area of the tube with the old walls left in place at this time. Herman will pursue cost estimates.
Herman reported that Library bollards will be installed by the electrician working on N Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project and would be done prior to winter. Herman reported that another supplier has looked at the Berndes Center HVAC project and had ideas to improve the project and to reduce overall project cost. He will work with contractors to obtain new bids.
Herman handed out a cost estimate to create a demolition plan for the former Compadres building along First Street. He plans to obtain a second estimate and is also exploring grants to restore the building.
Herman reported that The Office owner Joan Kraus is working with Smith on details for a motorcycle benefit ride planned for Saturday August 24th, leaving Delhi and stopping at the Office late that morning with hundreds of bikes expected.
Herman is working with the City Attorney on a City Employee Handbook. He will provide a draft copy to the Council in the near future.
Herman reported that the Board of Adjustment set public hearings for two separate proposed building projects behind the Doug Toenjes property along 7th Street. Hearings on requested variances are set for August 27th at 5:30 PM. These properties have no street frontage, are on a gravel lane, and legal access to the lots may be an issue.
Wolken read a press release related to recent training completed by Police Chief Britt Smith through Northwestern University Center of Public Safety.
Langerman move to adjourn at 8:06 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk