Regular Council Meeting – Official
February 4, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineers Patrick Schwickerath & AJ Barry. Council member Johnny Russ was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Brenda Hanken questioned when City Code Book would be available on City Web Page. Herman stated he is working on review, but Code is very thick and wants to get through it all as part of the update before Iowa Codification completes the project.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed bonding for the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project that has a projected cost of approximately $2.5 million. Herman explained that period lighting costs would be paid for out of the Road Use budget if the Council chose to go that route. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-13 setting the date for public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $2,700,000, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing will be held on February 18, 2019 at 6:00 PM.
Herman reported that Orbis acquired land between their facility and 11th Street and installed a water through the parcel to 11th Street that ties into Plastic Lane. Orbis has requested grant payments from the City to cover the costs of the water main installation but not land acquisition or project design. In return Orbis will dedicate the main to the City and will grant easements to the City to access, maintain, repair and replace both the new water main and an existing sewer main. Orbis will also grant drainage way easements over their property related to storm water flow from Plastic Lane to 11th Street. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-14 preliminarily approving a Development Agreement, as amended, between the City of Monticello and the Menasha Corporation, a/k/a/ Orbis, and scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed agreement, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing will be held on March 4, 2019 at 6:00 PM.
Herman proposed to amend the Urban Renewal Plan adding the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project as an eligible project for the use of incremental property taxes or TIF. The project debt has been setup with 60% of total payments to be covered with TIF proceeds and 40% covered by Debt Service. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-15 Scheduling Public Hearing on proposed Amendments to the Monticello Urban Renewal Plan, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing will be held on March 4, 2019 at 6:00 PM.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-16 Scheduling Public Hearing on proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2019 N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project, and the taking of bids thereof, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Bids will be accepted on or before March 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM and the Hearing will be held on March 18, 2019 at 6:00 PM. Schwickerath reported they would advertise or post the project on the contractor’s plan room website and statewide services site. City Clerk’s Office will post on the City website.
Herman reviewed the three bids received for the N. Sycamore Street tree removal project, with low bidder being Randy Muller Tree Service in the amount of $36,250. Herman stated Muller was notified not to proceed until after notified by City Staff and the bid is awards to contractor for the street reconstruction project. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-17 Accepting bids for Tree Removal within the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project Scope and awarding bid to Randy Muller Tree Service, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken suggested waiving the third reading of the proposed ordinance authorizing Golf Cart /UTV operation within City Limits that was drafted after the County passed an ATV / UTV Ordinance in an effort to create some consistency between the Ordinances. There have been no objections to the Ordinance and its’ passage would address many questions people are posing and would put people on notice that they no longer need to register their UTV’s with the Monticello Police Dpt. as has been the past practice. Goedken moved to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings of an ordinance and that Ordinance #724 amending Chapter 81 “Golf Carts and UTV’s” by deleting the current Chapter in its’ entirety and replacing it with the following provisions, said Chapter 81 as amended providing provisions related to the legal operation of “Golf Carts” and “Off-Highway Vehicles” within City Limits, be considered placed upon its final passage and adopted, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported on the City Park Water Fountain located at the City Park. Fair Officials have suggested that the fountain is no longer used or working and should be removed. They have offered to remove it and to perform additional improvements at their cost. Herman will contact Fair Officials to get their proposal in writing. The Council seemed amenable to this request and the item will be on the next agenda for consideration.
Herman reported that he published notices of the suit against Al Hughes. Hughes has now offered to sign the Deed, that he has refused to sign for over a year, with the condition that the lawsuit the City filed to force him to sign it be dismissed. Herman estimated that the City has incurred $500 in expenses plus his time to file the lawsuit. After discussion, consensus of Council was to wait until next meeting to determine the appropriate next steps.
Herman updated the Council on Dave Lumpa’s suit against the City, explaining that the Court dismiss Lumpa’s actions as he failed to state a claim for which relief could be granted. Lumpa was ordered to pay court costs. The City will have expense associated with Attorney’s Fees as part of the City’s insurance policy deductible.
Herman reported that Brant LaGrange has resigned effective March 1st and that the City will be seeking applications to fill his position.
Mayor Wolken reported that Johnny Russ has been placed on the Fireman’s roster and will be attending Firefighter’s training in February and March and will not, therefore, be able to attend the Council meetings. Russ has expressed his intent to resign his Council seat for Ward 2, but will remain on at this time while the Council looks for a replacement. Council asked residents from Ward 2 to contact Clerk’s Office if interested in serving.
Herman reviewed the proposed budget highlights. Herman will meet with any Council Members on Saturday February 9th from 8:00 AM to Noon if they want to review the budget in more detail. Hanken stated that she felt Chief Smith deserved a raise. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-18 Scheduling Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2019/2020 Fiscal Year budget for March 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m., Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Paulson moved to adjourn at 7:33 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk