Regular Council Meeting
December 6, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Scott Brighton and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and City Engineer A.J. Barry. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, with limited seating or to participate in 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, both in-person and via Zoom.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Scott Chally, 608 North Chestnut inquired on the status of the Sixth Street Ditch Improvements and where the project stands, as he is having issues with his driveway and fence. Wolken stated the City is working on engineering, assessments and funding for the project. The project is on private property, so that is a big issue.
Hanken moved the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Jason Smith owns home on the corner of 4th Street and Gill. It is a very small lot and neighbor has agreed to sell a portion of their lot east of Smith’s lot. P&Z Commission has reviewed and recommends approval. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-146 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2021-64, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Tom Yeoman wishes to subdivide a parcel of land to sell an acre and a half to Brian Crowley for future expansion of his repair business. Goedken voiced concern on land locking a lot with no easement. P&Z Commission has reviewed and recommends approval. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-147 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2021-70 and 2021-71, Brighton seconded. Roll call: Ayes: Langerman, Brighton and Lux; Nays: Goedken and Hanken; Abstain: Yeoman due to conflict of interest as owner of the property. It was stated that the motion failed so the Council proceeded with the following action: Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-150 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2021-71, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous. City Attorney Doug Herman texted Mayor Wolken to report according to State Code 380.4 (2), due to the conflict of interest, the vote in computed on the number of members not disqualified due to the conflict of interest, so Resolution #2021-147 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2021-70 and 2021-71, was approved unanimously with the Roll call: Ayes: Langerman, Brighton and Lux; Nays: Goedken and Hanken; Abstain: Yeoman due to conflict of interest as owner of the property.
Farnum reported OutBack Farms LLC has proposed to subdivide the farmstead from the rest of the cropland on Hardscrabble Road. P&Z Commission has reviewed and recommends approval. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2021-148 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2021-69, Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Roger Stephen submitted a plat of a single unincorporated parcel, as well as a private drive, on the Stephen’s farm. Stephen has talked with staff about annexation and the possibility of annexing portions of the larger farm as it is developed. City staff is working with Stephen on a pre-annexation and development agreement as that potential development moves forward. P&Z Commission has reviewed and recommends approval. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-149 Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat of Brad Stephen’s Second Addition, Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported the IDOT plans to begin the Hwy 38 overlay project thru Monticello on June 1, 2022. IDOT has agreed to include several crosswalks and road intersection in the project for the City. The City’s portion of the project is estimated at $72,858.77, less the credit for the cost of the 7th Street sidewalk improvements at 7th Street and will net a City cost of approximately $48,061. The current agreement has a clause that states no parking will be allowed on Highway 38, the IDOT has agreed to leaving the parking on First Street and are amending the contract accordingly. If approved, contract would only be signed if agreement allows parking on First Street. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2021-151 To approve agreement between the IDOT and the City of Monticello in Re: Highway 38 Overlay Project, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported City received 5 bids for the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project with the low bidder being Pirc-Tobin with a bid of $302,698.70. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-152 To award the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project to Pirc-Tobin Construction Inc in the amount of $302,698.70, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reviewed the engineering contract with HDR for design engineering, bid and construction management services related to the southeast extension of the taxiway and apron at the Monticello Airport. The project will provide a taxiway connecting the existing airport facilities. There is currently a private sector that has proposed to build a 10,000 SF or larger box hangar in this area. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2021-153 Approving Agreement for Engineering Services between HDR Engineering, Inc. and the City of Monticello for services and expenses related to the Taxiway Extension Project, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-154 Approving Loren & Lois Freese Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 502 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Smith arranged to have the house demolished at 449 North Sycamore. Farnum has received inquiries on purchasing the lot and would like to move forward with requesting proposals. Yeoman moved Resolution #2021-155 Authorizing City Administrator to request proposals related to City owned lot located at 449 North Sycamore Street for Council review, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Ordinance #750 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding New Subsections to Chapter 69, Parking Regulations, Section 08, No Parking Zones; on portions of South Gill Street, North Maple Street, East South Street and South Elm Street, third and final reading in title only. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Ordinance #752 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Chapter 90, Section 07 pertaining to Deposit, second reading in title only. Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported he and all the Council members except Brighton received an email from Steve Intlekofer, 529 West First Street, who is opposed to the changes in the “House Movers” code and stated it makes it harder for people to move houses into town. Langerman moved to approve Ordinance #753 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to House Movers, second reading in title only. Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Barry reported that Pirc-Tobin would like to hold the pre-construction meeting as soon as possible for the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project. They want to start by March 1st or earlier if weather permits. Barry stated he would send out the contract and other paperwork. Once the paperwork is completed and returned, he will schedule the pre-construction meeting.
Council inquired on the status of the North Chestnut Street project progress. Barry stated the project was put on hold until funding is available. He will update plans and bring back to the Council.
Farnum thanked the Public Works and Parks & Rec staff for all their work getting the banners, lights and decorations up. He reported Santa will be at City Hall this Tuesday and Thursday. He is working on an agreement with group wanting to place a “Little Library” along Willow Trail and will bring to the next meeting. On December 18th, the Holiday on 1st event.
Tjaden stated they completed the water tap for home at 224 North Chestnut and cleaned sewer line on 7th Street. McDermott Custom Pumping hauled 660,000 gallons of sludge from the lagoon. He is replacing a chlorinator that went bad and looking to purchase the same system for the other two wells. DNR requires the new system to transfer automatically to a secondary tank when current tank runs out.
Hanken questioned when the wastewater treatment plant would be online to use? Governor announced that more CDBG funds were made available and if City was applying for these funds? Farnum stated ECICOG is compiling the surveys and the CDBG funding will depend on the results of the surveys. The rate increase funds are being banked for this project also.
Turnis reported the Library will be hosting Cookies, Cocoa and Carols at the Library on Thursday evening this week.
Smith reported in July 2021, the property owner of 616 South Main Street removed the pole signs, as requested but not the canopy. They have an interested buyer for lot, however they wanted to keep the canopy. Smith reached out to the owner to advise them the canopy was to be removed as stated in prior correspondence with them.
Smith stated an ambulance employee has a service dog and it was initially planned that it would not be with him at work, however his doctors and other professionals want it with him at all times. Delta is his black lab service dog and Smith is working to accommodate him for this.
Smith stated he is the City liaison for the E911 Board for Jones County and they met to discuss the P25 Radios upgrade systems for EMS and Fire in Jones County, by January 2023. Monticello Fire Chief Joe Bayne was present requesting the County to help fund their radios, as they need 40 of them. County is looking into possible funding for EMS and Fire departments in the County. Smith stated the Police Department still needs some of the P25 radios also. Fire Department did apply for an AFG grant to purchase the radios but did not get the grant.
Smith stated the Austin Strong Foundation applied for the Dubuque Racing Assn grant for the Inclusive Playground and were awarded $5,000 for the concrete work.
Brighton moved to close the open session to discuss a real estate transaction pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j). Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved to open the open session, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hanken moved to direct City Administrator and Britt Smith to proceed as discussed in closed session, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved to adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk