Regular Council Meeting
February 19, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Jake Ellwood, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan and Scott Brighton. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Colton Ingels. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Brenneman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kaileen Weaver, Jones County Tourism Director, introduced herself and she is looking forward to working with Monticello.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda; Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-35 to provide for a notice of hearing on proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, and the taking of bids therefor. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-36 to Approve the use of a Term Sheet in connection with the issuance of a Sewer Revenue Loan Agreement Anticipation Project Note, Series 2024. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Council reviewed the bids for the water tower painting project, with base bid including one logo and the bid alternate including two logos. Low bidder was Tank Pro Inc with base bid of $233,880.00 and Bid Alt#1 of $3,500.00, for a total of $237,380.00. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-37 awarding contract for the South Water Tower Repainting and Maintenance Project, with bid alternate for a total of $237,380.00. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the geothermal unit in City Hall failed and received a proposal to replace the heat pump for the unit. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-38 Approving proposal to replace Heat Pump (Geothermal Water Furnace) in City Hall. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised City is not required to record Developer Agreements. Theisen’s financial institution was requesting it to be recorded. City Attorney memorialized the Developer’s Agreement with Theisen’s and City and Theisen’s attorney reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement and approved it. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-39 Authorizing Mayor to sign, and Clerk to attest and record, Memorandum of Agreement (and Affidavit) with Theisen’s Real Estate LLC. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Kevin Schmidt addressed the council regarding his high utility bill. He had a toilet in the basement that was running and he did not notice it. Clerk’s Office contacted him regarding his high usage and had water turned off until his plumber could cap it. He requested a partial adjustment; however, he was aware all the water entered into the sanitary sewer system. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-40 Rejecting the request of a credit against Kevin Schmidt’s utility account for the property located at 615 W Sixth Street. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Jones County Economic Development Executive Director, Derek Lumsden stated that he has been researching and working on the housing issues in Jones County for the last several years. In 2021, Jones County Economic Development worked with Representative Ashley Hinson’s office to get a Community Project Funding application through Congress. In 2022, Jones County Economic Development was awarded with a $500,000 grant to fund low-to-moderate income housing across Jones County. The goal will be to focus on a variety of housing in Jones County, including: New single-family homes, new multi-family dwellings, upper story housing, Homes for Iowa program housing, developing clean lots, a buy-down agreement, hazardous clean-up, and more. The City of Monticello has used Tax Increment Financing in the past to incentivize housing development in the community. As part of the law around Tax Increment Financing, the City is required to have a certain percentage of money set aside into an LMI (low-to-moderate income) fund. This funding must be spent on affordable housing projects within the City. Jones County Economic Development is requesting a partnership with the City of Monticello where the City would transfer their existing LMI set aside funds to Jones County Economic Development’s HUD Housing Fund. This money would allow Jones County Economic Development to target more opportunities for affordable housing in Monticello while working to draw down funds from the federal government. All Monticello LMI set aside funds would be used inside the city limits of Monticello. Goedken moved to authorize Jones County EDC to use Monticello’s TIF Low/Mod Setaside for CDBG Rehab program in Monticello, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Peach went over the Life Cycles of an Organization.
Farnum stated he drafted the letter in opposition of SSB 3131 related to the Library. Tyler and Jayme Freye sent Council members an email and would like to have a work session on their proposed development, which will be on next week’s work session, along with the budget amendments.
Brehm reviewed the activities happening at the Library the next few weeks.
Hinrichsen reported the FY 2023 audit should be released soon and will get to the council once it is.
Council took a short break before the work session on the FY 2024-2025 budget. No action was taken.
Council had a short work session on the FY 2024-2025 budget, related to Water, Sewer, Public Works, Road Use and Sanitation. The full budget proposal will be at next week’s work session. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-41 Setting Time and Place for a Public Hearing for the Purpose of Considering the Consolidated General Fund Tax Levy for the City’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget. The Hearing was set for April 1, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Smith did a short Security/Emergency Training with staff and Council.
Brenneman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer