Regular Council Meeting – Official
August 6, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Gary “Butch” Pratt, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Casey Zwolinski.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum Steve Smith, representing the Berean Bible Church, 16107 Co Rd. E 16, inquired whether the Church could connect to City sewer. City staff will look into options and get in touch with him.
Preston Moore, Iowa State Director, The Humane Society of the United States reported that he works with Community leaders and members on laws and regulations related to animals. He reported sending the Mayor and Council copies of ordinance guidelines related to animals that would not include a breed ban. Jo Provencher, 145 N Maple, requested the Pit Bull ban be lifted, that the problem is not the dog rather the owner. Whitney Boysen also expressed the view that the breed ban should be lifted. Sarah Kraus read a letter from Dubuque City Council member Kate Ward that opposed breed specific bans. Amy Bunn, 702 S Sycamore, stated that she would like to see the ban lifted. Donna Penne, Cedar Rapids Animal Rescue expressed her view that problems are with the owners, not the dogs. She suggested that the ban be lifted and bad owners to be held accountable. David Boehm, President of the Monticello Dog Shelter and their dog catcher, expressed his belief that dog owners should be held responsible. Chris Van AmBurg, Scotch Grove, explained a good experience she had with a pit bull variety. Wolken thanked the speakers.
Pratt moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-90 Approving Dan and Donna Sauser Tax Abatement related to Residential Improvements constructed at 120 Shomont Drive, Monticello, Iowa, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that P & Z recommended approval of Diamond Pi Company request to keep their pole sign. Pratt moved to approve Resolution #18-91 to approve Diamond Pi Company Pole Sign request, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the DNR would require a permit to proceed with a swale and rip rap in the Willow Park Baty Disc Golf Course. Herman proposed that the project be reduced to include only the removal of the problem culverts with limited grading. The swale and rip rap could be added later if found to be necessary. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-92 to Approve E 1st Street Culvert Removal and Grading Project, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that a leak was discovered near 211 East First Street. LaGrange spoke to Cliff Payne and advised him that the City would hire a contractor to explore the genesis of the leak and that if it was determined to be tied to his building service lines, that he would be responsible for the costs. The leak was determined to be from an abandoned service line that entered the Payne building. Payne will be contacted to discuss. Herman recommended payment to Eastern Iowa Excavating at this time, with discussions and to decide how to proceed if collecting from owner or cost sharing at next meeting. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-93 Approving Pay Request from Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC, in the amount of $8,430.09 related to the E. 1st Street Water Service Line repairs, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated the City is obligated to pay for rock placement on 190th Street per agreement with Jones County dated March 14, 2016. Goedken suggested that the costs of rocking over the next 10 to 20 years be compared to the cost of paving. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-94 to approve payment for “Contract Rock” installation on 190th Street at the request of County Engineer’s Office, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed Hotel/Motel tax rates in Iowa with 151 at 7%, 1 at 6%, 5 at 5% and 1 at 4%, Monticello currently being at 5%. Boulders ownership has supported an increase in the tax from 5% to 7%. Herman noted that the taxes are primarily paid mainly by non-residents. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-95 proposing the implementation of an increase in the City of Monticello Hotel/Motel tax from five percent (5%) to seven percent (7%) and authorizing the submission of the proposed increase to a general election of the City of Monticello, Iowa electorate, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed amendment to agreement with Snyder related to additional improvements near the E. 1st Street bridge, which must also be approved by the IDOT. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-96 to approve Amendment #1 to Snyder & Associates Standard Consultant Contract for the East 1st Street Bridge Replacement Project, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous except Paulson who voted nay.
Goedken moved Ordinance #718 amending Chapter 122, “Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants”, third and final reading and in title only, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #719 amending Chapter 68, “One-Way Traffic”, second reading and in title only, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated that LaGrange will monitor properties that are for sale and contact owner and realtor, if applicable, informing them of any areas of non-compliance with the City Code related to sidewalks and permanent dust free pavement driveways for example.
Herman reported he has received concerns with water ponding and run off issues in the Schoon Addition. He believes the City seal coated the roads in the Schoon Addition about 10 years ago. Complaints suggest that the street was modified from an inverted crown to a crowned street and that before the change they did not suffer water issues. There was some discussion about returning the street to an inverted crown. Goedken didn’t believe inverted crown streets were constructed anymore, due to the potential damage done to the middle of the street where water would be carried.
Herman stated as discussed in closed session at last meeting, the insurance company has decided to settle the case with Tamera Bartram and waive the deductible, as it would cost more to hire an attorney to fight the case. Herman is waiting for a copy of the signed release.
Herman reported Al Hughes has not signed the deed, as agreed, for the property on W. 1st Street. Consensus of the Council was for Herman to proceed with legal action.
Herman asked the Council for direction with regard to the failing wall along the S. Cedar Street ditch. Consensus of the Council was to ask the City Engineer to put together options for consideration.
Herman discussed the possible extension of sewer line to the 3 homes along North Cedar Street from Madalyn Court. LaGrange stated this may not be an option as Snyder did not believe there would be enough fall. Herman, Zwolinski and LaGrange will look into options.
Mike Elkin, 630 S Maple Street, asked is street signs could be placed on top of stop signs, which would eliminate several sign posts in town. Zwolinski stated Cedar Rapids does this. LaGrange will look into this option.
Herman indicated that he had a recent conversation with a realtor from out of town looking for a building site on which a building between two and four thousand sf could be built.
Russ moved to go into closed session under §21.5(1)(j) of the Iowa Code “To discuss purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for the property”, seconded by Goedken. Roll call unanimous.
Pratt moved, Lux seconded to end the closed session and return to open session. Roll call unanimous. No action was taken.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:50 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk