Regular Council Meeting – Official
December 3, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Brant Lagrange, and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Bob Furino and Jan Cratsenberg, with Starlighters II expressed interest in using the City Hall Auditorium to hold Acting Classes from March 7th through April 11th at 7 PM. Their request for a waiver of rental fees will be placed on the next agenda.
Dave Oldaker, 126 Highview, requested that the Council consider a waiver of Sycamore Street sidewalk assessments for those that repaired or replaced their sidewalk after receiving a letter from the City to do so. Consensus of the Council was to waive assessments if all or a portion of a marked sidewalk had been replaced.
Jan Hoag, Monticello Chamber Director thanked Council for all the support over the year and invited everyone to attend their annual banquet on January 15, 2019
Goedken moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed Fountain Park fundraising with a total of $32,391 to date with more grants and private donations pending. Herman explained that the City did not have to follow a specific bidding process based upon the project cost estimate. If the Council chose to proceed with a competitive quotation process Herman explained that an engineer would need to be retained to put together a set of plans. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-138 to Authorize City Administrator to move forward with Phase 1 of the Fountain Renovation and Repair Project, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
LaGrange reviewed the work completed on the West Well by Cahoy Pump Services. Herman reported the Water Capital Improvement Fund would pay $9,000 and balance would be paid from the Water Operating Fund. Herman advised that Council may need to do an internal loan from the General Fund to Water Operating Fund to cover the costs. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-139 to Approve payment to Cahoy Pump Service related to West Well Maintenance & Repairs, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the Special Assessment Credit Policy which has been used on past street reconstruction projects. Nick Zimmermann, 410 N Sycamore, objected to a potential requirement that he and others without paved driveways pave them as part of this project. He expressed that he was trying to sell the home and the additional cost would not support an increase in the home’s value and did not believe that he should have to concrete his driveway unless everyone else in the City was required to do so. Herman explained that the Code requires all drives to be constructed of a permanent dust free pavement. Herman explained that the Council could remove that requirement if desired and that change could be reflected in the Code book presently being updated. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-140 to approve the Special Assessment Credit Policy, Credit Schedule, and Request Form, adding a provision that would waive 100% of the Special Assessment related to sidewalk improvements in those cases where sidewalk panels or entire sidewalks were replaced by property owners after being asked to do so by the City in the fall of 2015 or 2016, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous. Herman will send a letter with the credit request form to property owners on the North Sycamore Reconstruction Project. Council will discuss a more tangible sidewalk credit policy moving forward.
Herman reviewed Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete invoice in the amount of $28,618, for work completed on Willow Trail. He explained that the remainder of work will be completed in the Spring. Lux moved to approve Resolution #18-141 to Approve payment to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete related to Willow Park Trail Project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the Council had approved payment to developers of the Oak Street Condominium Development Project in November 2017, by Resolution #17-154. Payment was to be made by the end of this year after the real estate closing with Norm Zimmerman in regard to the North Chestnut Street lot sale which has been delayed. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-142 to approve payment related to Locust Court Development as previously approved by Resolution No. 17-154, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the Citizens of Monticello approved an increase in the hotel/motel tax from 5% to 7% in the November election. Goedken introduced and moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally acted upon, as provided by Section 380.3 of the Code of Iowa, and place Ordinance #723 Amending Chapter 11 “Hotel and Motel Tax” upon final passage, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed proposed modifications to the Ordinance for Mobile Food Vending based upon a committee meeting that occurred after the last Council Meeting that included Herman, Council members Yeoman and Goedken, Chamber Executive Director Jan Hoag, JCED Executive Director Derik Lumsden and Holly Trevino (Food Truck Operator). Hanken stated Legacy Lanes serves food for 1st and 2nd shift workers and suggested she operate for only 3rd shift workers in the Industrial Park. Herman stated if trucks are allowed to park on Plastic Lane, the City Code would need to be amended. Yeoman moved Ordinance #721 by amending Chapter 122, “Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants”, as amended, third and final reading and in title only, Goedken seconded. Yeoman moved to amend proposed Ordinance #721, prohibiting to set up on 1st and Cedar Street without prior approval; no license is required for special events that are approved by Special Event permit holder; may locate on most private properties, as permitted by property owner; and permission shall not be granted by City Council prior to giving notice to all businesses and /or property owners located within 100’ of the proposed location of the mobile food vending unit or food stand. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Roll call on Ordinance #721 by amending Chapter 122, “Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants”, as amended, third and final reading and in title only was all ayes except Hanken who voted nay. Carried.
Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-143 to approve Mobile Food Vendor licensing fee schedule, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. A license for up to two days will cost $100, a license for up to 6 months will cost $175, and a license for a period of greater than 6 months up to one year will cost $250.
Yeoman moved Ordinance #722 amending Chapter 10, Urban Revitalization by amending Section 10.10 Exemptions, second reading, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Council Member Hanken left the meeting at 7:46.
Herman reported that the Steve Intlekofer house moving project had been delayed due to equipment issues. Herman and Smith inquired how Council wanted to proceed related to possible penalty /enforcement as the City Code allows a structure to remain on a trailer at a temporary location for no more than 30 days which expired on November 21st. Yeoman moved to grant Intlekofer a 30 day extension, motion died to the lack of a second. Yeoman moved to assess a penalty of $100 per day from November 22nd until the house is moved. If moved by December 21st, all accrued penalties would be waived and if not moved by December 21st, the City would consider action to collect the penalties assessed and take further action; Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the crosswalk between Theisens’ and Balster’s was being impacted by the Balster building project.
Herman reported several of the city owned street lights along Welter Drive are not working. Jared Lasley recommended replacing all 16 heads with LED fixtures. Further study will be completed.
Herman reviewed the proposed Downtown Brick Paver Policy and suggested mailing to property owners for input. Council was supportive of this process.
Hinrichsen reviewed the proposed improvements suggested by the Community Building Auditorium Committee and that the Committee would like some direction from the Council on what they desired and a proposed budget for improvements. Hinrichsen stated that Starlighters II will work to get grants and other funding to make repairs to the stage and stage lighting. Committee member Jan Hoag stated the Library, Lion’s Club and members of the community have made additional recommendations. Yeoman did not want to see a lot of money spent on the stage and upstairs until there was a final decision on what was going to happen with the old Middle School. Herman suggested that steps could be taken on the window treatments and electrical upgrades. Yeoman would like to wait to spend to make improvements to auditorium, until the entire project can be done. Herman will reach out to Ament who designed the Community Building project, when it was decided to only proceed with downstairs offices.
Schwickerath reported that the Sycamore Street Open House went well and had several good discussions. He stated to concrete the entire section of 1st to 2nd Streets would cost about $25,000 more than to install an asphalt overlay in that area. The consensus of Council was to modify the plans to show concrete in that area as opposed to asphalt.
Smith reviewed the County’s UTV Ordinance and differences between their Code and the City Code related to UTV’s and golf carts. Smith and Herman will work on potential modifications to the Ordinance to present to the Council for consideration.
Herman reported that the City has donated a sum of $.30 per capita to Jones County Tourism since FY 2013 and that an editorial in the Monticello Express suggested that the City has not be donating to tourism which is incorrect. Herman was advised that Jones County Tourism will be requesting additional sums when they speak to the City Council this year.
Herman will try to keep next agenda short to allow time to work on the budget.
Herman suggested holding a goal setting session on February 4, 2019.
Herman reported that City employees approved continued membership in the union. He will be meeting with them to receive their opening proposal. He stated collective bargaining will only deal with wages and he is working to update the City’s employee policy manual.
Wolken questioned if there was any interest in adding more dates for Council meetings and having them weekly instead of twice per month. He stated unfortunately the person who requested this is not here to voice her concerns.
Russ moved to adjourn at 8:46 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk