Regular Council Meeting
February 4, 2020 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Gary Feldmann, Candy Langerman and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Michelle Turnis and City Engineer A. J. Barry. Council member Tom Yeoman was absent.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve the consent agenda, include appointing Butch Pratt to the Board of Adjustment and Nick Sauser to P & Z Board. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed Property Tax Levy dollars for Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Staff received no written comments. Hinrichsen reported the receipt of three Facebook questions to which she replied. Herman explained that the increase in the TIF certification lowered the revenues received by the General Fund. Herman reported that the City’s total 384.15A Maximum Tax Levy dollars will decrease by 6.26% from last fiscal year, however the City’s overall tax rate as proposed will remain the same as last year. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on the proposed Property Tax Levy for dollars for Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-16 Approval of FY 2021 Maximum Property Tax Dollars, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman received a request from Senior Dining for $5,025.00, which is an increase over last year. Senior Dining uses a formula based on the number of meals served at Monticello Center, which are not all residents of Monticello. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-17 Approving FY ’21 Senior Dining Funding request in the amount of $5,025.00, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the receipt of three bids associated with the Berndes Center HVAC system. Crawford Company, from Dubuque, was the low bidder with a bid in the amount of $161,084.00. The engineer that designed the plans and specs for the HVAC reported several issues with the manner in which the current HVAC system was installed and also noted various changes in Code requirements since the initial installation. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-18 Accepting Berndes Center HVAC Bids and to review and negotiate contract with low bidder, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. Herman will bring proposed contract with low bidder to next Council meeting for consideration.
Herman reviewed the 2020 E. 7th Street Reconstruction Project plans, bidding options and proposed assessment process. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-19 Preliminary resolution pursuant to Section 384.42 of the Iowa Code related to the 2020 E. 7th Street Reconstruction Project, Feldmann seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2020-20 to Adopt the Preliminary Plans and Specifications, Preliminary Assessment Plat and Schedule and Estimate of Project Costs related to the 2020 E. 7th Street Reconstruction Project, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-21 Scheduling a Public Hearing on Proposed Resolution of Necessity related to the 2020 E. 7th Street Reconstruction Project, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. Public Hearing was set for February 17th at 6:00 PM.
Herman updated Council on the Iowa Ride coming to Monticello in July, around 1,000 riders are registered at this time. This number does not include the support drivers or non-registered riders.
Herman reported RAGBRIA will be coming to Anamosa during Fair Week on Thursday evening.
Herman updated the Council on the Hometown Pride plans to order banners to be placed on the light poles.
Herman updated the Council on the Steve Intlekofer property along South Cedar Street, which is currently zoned R-1, not R-2 as it appears is the owner’s intended or desired use.
Herman worked with Jones County Economic Development Executive Director, Derek Lumsden to collect estimates from various contractors needed to prepare and submit the State of Iowa Catalyst Grant Pre-application related to the proposed renovation of the City owned building located at 103 West First Street.
Herman reported meeting with the new owner of the former MedPlast building. A portion of the building will reportedly be used for warehousing with options remaining under consideration for the balance of the building.
Herman reported meeting with the owner of a light industrial business owner considering Monticello as the future home for their business. They would employ around 50 people and are currently looking at property along Welter Drive.
Wolken reported receiving a letter from the Iowa League of Cities, who has endorsed Polco, a platform that helps improve how residents and city officials communicate. Polco uses online surveys to bring the voice of everyday residents to the community leaders.
Wolken reported that he has reviewed the Administrator’s evaluation with the City Administrator. He suggested that while he and most of the Council stop in to see the Administrator when free to do so, that the Administrator also schedule a couple hours per week that would be available for Council drop ins.
Feldmann moved to adjourn at 7:00 P.M.
Council took a short recess before reconvening in work session to discuss the Budget with specific comments and requests from the Library Board. The Council also reviewed proposed amendments to the City of Monticello Rules of Order and Procedure for Conduct of City Council business, originally adopted in December 2001. The work session concluded at 9:27 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk