Regular Council Meeting
December 21, 2020 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Scott Brighton, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Police Chief Britt Smith. Library Director Michelle Turnis and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath joined electronically. Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald arrived later during the meeting. The public was invited to attend 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 via Zoom.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing to Acknowledge the receipt of funds through the 2020 Community Development Block Grant OT Award. Mayor read the following statement:The City of Monticello’s Public Safety entities have identified the need for the implementation of fire fighter accountability through the utilization of updated technology as well as specialized disinfecting equipment in response to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. This need has been funded through a Community Development Block Grant and specialized accountability software and UV Disinfecting equipment has been purchased for a total of $2,295. The City of Monticello has requested reimbursement through the Community Development Block Grant. This project is beneficial for all persons regardless of their economic status and will be used by trained members of both the Monticello Fire Department and Monticello Ambulance Services and their respective service area. There will be no impact of relocation as a result of this project. Citizens who have concern over the receipt and use of federal funds for the purposes identified should contact Monticello City Hall at 319-465-3577. Currently the City of Monticello has not been made aware of Community Development and Housing needs of low to moderate persons that would be impacted by this grant opportunity, so no planned or potential activities are scheduled at this time. Staff received no oral or written comments. Mayor closed the Public Hearing to Acknowledge the receipt of funds through the 2020 Community Development Block Grant OT Award.
Wolken reported the P & Z Board reviewed and recommended the approval of Plat of Survey to Parcel 2020-106. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-154 Plat of Survey to Parcel 2020-106. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-155 Appointing Commissioner to the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority from the City of Monticello. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Tom Yeoman was appointed as Commissioner to the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority.
Wolken reported P & Z Board recommended approval to rezone the property located at 122 North Main from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 General Commercial for retail development. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-156 Scheduling Public Hearing on the proposed Rezoning of property located at 122 North Main from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 General Commercial. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous. Public Hearing set for January 4, 2021 at 6:00 PM.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-157 to approve City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk and City Secretary Job Descriptions. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported that Doug Herman agreed to provide oversight of the City Administrator’s emails and forwarding important ones on to staff and/or redirecting the mailer in some regard and agreed to lowering the cost to $20 per day Monday thru Friday or $100/week. Some emails require work that would be invoiced as City Attorney work. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-158 to Approve Doug Herman to provide oversight of City Administrator’s emails. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported that former City Administrator Doug Herman has offered to help with the search for the new City Administrator, if Council desired, at no cost to the City. Consensus of Council was to invite Herman to attend the activities for the City Administrator search on January 15 & 16, 2021. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-159 to approve Doug Herman’s involvement in hiring a City Administrator. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Economic Development (JCED) Executive Director Derek Lumsden reviewed the County-wide Childcare Feasibility study for Jones County, it’s citizens and businesses. JCED Board decided to do the study/ fact finding as one of their strategic plan items to determine if there is need for and to work with the current daycare providers. Lumsden stated JCED received a $5,000 grant to do the study and will match $2,500 and is requesting $2,500 for the study from Monticello, Jones County and Anamosa. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-160 to approve Financial Commitment for a County-wide Childcare /Daycare Feasibility Study conducted for Jones County Economic Development, with a not to exceed amount of $2,500. Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Kahler and Oswald arrived.
Yeoman moved to approve Ordinance #736 amending the Monticello Code of Ordinances, by amending Chapter 26 “Airport Board”, second reading in title only. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Yeoman moved to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings of an ordinance and that Ordinance #736 amending the Monticello Code of Ordinances, by amending Chapter 26 “Airport Board”, be considered placed upon its final passage and adopted, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Ordinance #735 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa by amending Section 17.06 of the Monticello Code “Compensation”, third and final reading in title only. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. This will raise the Council pay from $100 per month to $300 per month effective January 1, 2022.
Schwickerath reported City Attorney Doug Herman sent an email to Cody at Horsfield Construction and Cody’s reply was they did not see a need to follow-up on the items and feels they were released when City accepted the project and released the retainage. However, this project has a maintenance bond. Schwickerath stated these items were identified during the project walk thru and discussed with Horsfield. The drainage issue at 515 North Sycamore was discussed with Horsfield following the walk thru and Cody advised they would take care of it, if it became an issue. Schwickerath and Kahler walked the project site today and took several pictures to document areas of concern.
Kahler reported City had a water main break at 7th Street and Gill Street intersection. City will work to get water to drain to catch basin in the spring when the street is repaired.
Kahler stated the septic system at the Public Works facility is repaired.
Kahler reported receiving 26 applications for the Public Works position. Kahler, Wolken, Oswald and Tjaden will conduct the interviews and hire.
Oswald reported a great turnout for their Christmas event held last weekend.
Oswald stated the ice rink was setup but it has not been cold enough to freeze yet.
Turnis reported the Story Board Walk has been setup along Willow Trail, with the help of Public Works staff and Jacob Oswald.
Turnis reported the Library is open to a limited number of people at this time.
Smith reported sending Norm Zimmerman a letter regarding property on North Chestnut Street and Zimmerman has placed a fence on the West and South sides. Smith will follow-up with Zimmerman to get it enclosed.
Smith reported sending Steve Intlekofer a letter regarding his property along South Cedar Street. Smith and Intlekofer established May 1st, 2021 for Intlekofer to concrete the parking area allowed by City Code and to remove the rock parking area that is in the front yard.
Smith reported receiving the Theisen’s grant to purchase portable radios.
Wolken reviewed the City Attorney project status report that City Attorney Doug Herman provided.
Hinrichsen reviewed the proposed budget timeline and will work to have more budgets ready for review at the next meeting.
Hinrichsen reached out to PFM to get an update on the analysis of funding options / rates related to the sewage treatment plant updates. The requested data was sent to them and PFM is hoping to have the report by the January 18th meeting.
Hinrichsen reviewed the proposed Road Use, Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Yard Waste and Storm Water budgets, noting some areas that will need to be amended this year. Hinrichsen also noted, depending on the status of the Sixth Street ditch project, the budget may need to be adjusted. Hinrichsen is waiting on firmer figures on the sewage treatment plant number and funding to finalize that budget.
Brighton moved to adjourn at 8:06 P.M. Council held a work session following this meeting related to the hiring of City Administrator, which lasted until 9:16 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk