Regular Council Meeting
February 21, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Wayne Peach, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Tom Yeoman, and Scott Brighton. Council member Brenda Hanken arrived during meeting. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. 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.
Brighton moved to approve agenda adding a motion to approve the hiring of the Park & Rec Superintendent and setting wage, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing to consider the Maximum Tax Dollars to be collected by the City from certain levies for the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget. Goedken reviewed budget figures from the prior work session and advised he was not planning to sign the budget resolution, as he felt the Council needs to look at options to increase the tax levy. Goedken stated no one wants to raise the tax rate, however City’s expenses have increased. Farnum advised, as directed by the Council, the staff and Council worked on budget after the Council’s first review and made several revisions. Tom Osborne, 630 South Sycamore questioned why the max levy rate was 11.57321 and the total tax levy is higher. Hinrichsen stated this was not the total tax levy, however the total tax levy would remain similar to current year’s rate. The State legislators set what levies are on this public notice and no changes can be made to the form. Staff received no oral or written comments, however the Mayor stated he received several emails regarding the proposed budget. Mayor closed the Public Hearing to consider the Maximum Tax Dollars to be collected by the City from certain levies for the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-23 approval of FY 2023 Maximum Property Tax Dollars, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Oswald stated he sent the Council the proposal from MSA Professional Services to prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the Park and Rec Department and they came to the Park Board meeting to review their proposal. Jim Holz and Shannon Gap with MSA Professional Services reviewed their proposal. Goedken stated the Comprehensive Plan for the City needed to be updated and questioned how many cities this size have a separate comprehensive plan for just the parks department. Holz stated it is important to have a plan for capital projects. Holz stated surveys would be taken and they would work with staff to come up with the questions. Gap stated the public input would guide the overall plan. Goedken questioned if the City had to get quotes and asked Schwickerath if they provide these services also. Tom Osborne questioned with the Austin Strong All-Inclusive Playground being constructed, if it would be better to wait a year to do the plan. When asked Smith stated the playground will cost $400,000 to build. Oswald stated the Austin Strong Playground is not a City project, however it will have City support. The comprehensive plan would be for the future. Park Board member Abby Slauson stated the City needs to offer things for the City to thrive and it would bring people to town and promote tourism. No action was taken.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-24 Approving Darren and J’nee Reade Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 845 Breckenridge Drive, Monticello, Iowa, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-25 Approving Duayne and Peg Mere Tax Abatement Application related to Commercial and Residential Improvements constructed at 121 East First Street, Monticello, Iowa, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-26 to Approve Franchise Fee Rebate to Orbis Manufacturing, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous except Hanken who abstained, as she arrived in the middle of the discussion.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2022-27 Scheduling Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2022/2023 Fiscal Year budget for March 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported City accepted proposal in January, however they withdrew their proposal. Farnum recommended advertising for new proposals on the disposition of the 449 North Sycamore Street lot. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-28 Authorizing City Administrator to request proposals related to City owned lot located at 449 North Sycamore Street for Council review, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Oswald reported Shannon Poe had resigned and he received five applications for the position. Oswald and Brighton interviewed two of the candidates. Farnum reported that the job description requires two Council members, a Park Board member and City Administrator do the interviews. The position requires them to be a Certified Pool Operator and the class begins in March. Lux stated it is unfortunate that it is in the job description and that needs to be reviewed. Lux moved to have two council members, a Park Board member and City Administrator interview the candidates and to authorize the committee to hire the Parks & Facilities Superintendent with the salary of $36,000, as soon as the interview is completed. Brighton seconded; roll call unanimous.
Goedken reported during a recent training they discussed the open meetings rule related to City boards and committees. These should be open to the public with agendas and minutes taken. Hinrichsen reached out to Mickey Shields at the League of Cities and received an email response, which she would forward to the Council. Goedken questioned if Council wanted separate sidewalk and trail committees or if they should be combined. Smith stated he did not see a need for two separate committees for sidewalks and trails. He stated the Police Department would continue to do the sidewalk inspections. He asked Oswald to address the Park Board to see if they would be interested in absorbing the in-fill sidewalks. No action was taken.
Brain Wolken, 321 East Third Street reported attending the Main Street Iowa Program training. He stated a committee of downtown business owners are looking to apply for the Main Street Iowa Program and would like the Council’s support and for the Mayor to sign a letter of Intent to Apply. Langerman moved to authorize Mayor to sign the Main Street Iowa – Notice of Intent to Apply letter, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Schwickerath reported the contractor is ready to start the 7th Street project as soon as the weather is fit. There may be some water issues added to the project.
Goedken stated he was contacted regarding the concerns with the approach sidewalks and City not removing the all the snow in front of the Renaissance Center.
Farnum reported there was an electrical issue at the treatment plant, when Alliant connected Dollar Fresh. Tjaden stated when the 3-phase was connected, it was backwards. The plant is fully functional and staff is working with Alliant to recover our costs. He commended the staff for all their work and keeping records of damages and costs involved.
Farnum reported on water line issues at intersection of Hwy 38 and Locust Street. He is working with engineer on ways to do permanent repairs prior to the IDOT resurfacing the roadway this summer and extending the 8-inch main from Locust to Kitty Creek to loop the dead-end water main there. This will be on the next Council agenda.
Hinrichsen stated the State is wrapping up the audit and should have draft copy soon to review.
Smith reported looking to hire more part-time paramedics. He has attended a meeting on the essential services in Jones County and they hope to present a plan on dispersing the funds to the Board of Supervisors soon.
Oswald reported he is accepting applications for Aquatic Center staff.
Oswald reported they are collaborating with the Library staff to do some programming during the summer break.
Peach moved to have Council take a short recess prior to the budget work session at 7:41 p.m., and to reconvene the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
During the budget work session, Farnum reviewed the proposed budget revisions. City Administrator and City Clerk have worked to balance the budget while maintaining sufficient cash reserves, the current tax rate and keeping the current advertised maximum levy. The public hearing on the budget will be on March 21st at 6 p.m.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk