Regular Council Meeting – Official
February 5, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange and Police Chief Britt Smith.
Yeoman moved to approve the amended agenda removing Noah Johnson report and resolution related to the Sheriff’s Department Communications Services Agreement on Herman’s request; Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Monticello Chamber of Commerce President Monica Gray presented Tom Yeoman with the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-13 Appointing Gary “Butch” Pratt to fill the open At-Large Council seat as directed by the publication of notice of said appointment pursuant to Iowa Code §372.13(2)(a), Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. Wolken administered the Oath of Office to Pratt who immediately began his duties.
Russ moved to approve the consent agenda, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated that the Starlighters requested the free use of the upstairs of the Community Building for an acting workshop on Thursday nights from March 29th thru May 3rd, 2018 from 6 to 10 PM due to limited space in their Anamosa facility. Paulson moved to approve free use of the Community Building Auditorium by the Starlighters for acting workshops on Thursday nights from 6 – 10 PM from March 29th thru May 3rd, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-14 to approve funding/ investment in Jones County JETS Transportation System in the amount of $1,500.00, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the request from Senior Dining program, which is based on the percentage of meals served, which appears to have risen from 39% to 45%. Council requested more information, including budget information and contributions from other Jones County communities. Express Editor Kim Brooks indicated that she believed donations made to the Monticello Senior Center now stayed with the Senior Center program. Yeoman moved to table the FY ‘19 Jones County Senior Dining request until the next meeting, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-15 approving JCEDC investment for FY ’19 in the amount of $10,000.00, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the City Engineer recommend approval of Pay Request #5 related to the Ten-T-Hangar with appropriate retainage. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-16 to approve Pay Request #5, related to the Monticello Airport Ten-T-Hangar project, to Schaus-Vorhies in the amount of $119,003.22, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
The Airport Board recently negotiated a farm lease with Mike First for 2 years in the amount of $61,750. Herman explained that the Board was very comfortable with First continuing to farm the airport grounds and believed the rental rate was appropriate in light of restrictions in place related to farming on the grounds of the airport. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-17 Approving Airport Farm Lease Agreement between the City of Monticello and Mike First, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman explained that Snyder & Associates reported spending a significant amount of additional time on the Airport Hangar Grading and Paving project, exceeding the sum originally agreed contract sum. Based thereon, Snyder requested that the City consider the approval of a pay request for $3,250, 85% of which to be reimbursed by the State of Iowa. Consensus of the Council was that the City should not agree to pay more than the originally agreed sum at this late date. Goedken moved to deny the pay request from Snyder & Associates related to the Airport Taxiway Grading and Paving project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that Brian Monk has met his obligations under the previously approved development agreement to receive the second of two grant payments in the amount of $15,000. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-18 to approve second and final TIF Grant payment to B & J Hauling and Excavation in the amount of $15,000 related to the Urban Renewal project located at 218 E 1st Street, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman discussed requested library appropriation for fiscal year ‘19 which reflects an increase of $2,500, not including increases in employee benefits associated with change of one employee’s status from part time to full time estimated to total $7,500 annually. Council discussed library hours, number of employees, outreach programs, other programming, and overall community usage. Yeoman indicated that he recently met with the Library Director to discuss hours of operation and staffing. Based upon the discussions, Herman stated he would contact Library Director Turnis to request a copy of their work schedule. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-19 Scheduling Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2018/2019 Fiscal Year budget for March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., seconded by Goedken, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2017/2018 budget. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-20 Scheduling Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2017/2018 Fiscal Year budget amendments for March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., seconded by Goedken, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the P & Z Board recommended the proposed vacation/abandonment of an alleyway right of way generally located between 4th & 5th Street to the east of N. Chestnut Street and to the west of Fareway. Goedken moved to approve Resolution 18-21 Scheduling Public Hearing on the proposed vacation/abandonment of Alleyway right of way generally located between 4th and 5th Streets to the east of N. Chestnut Street and the West of the Fareway property for March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the P & Z Board recommended the rezoning of Accent Construction property on N. Chestnut Street from R-1 to C-1. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-22 Scheduling Public Hearing on proposed rezoning of property located on N. Chestnut Street between 424 N. Chestnut Street to the north and 402 N. Chestnut Street to the south from R-1 to C-1 for March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the P & Z Board recommended approval of the proposed Plat of Survey to Parcel 2018-10 which combines two Orbis properties into one newly described parcel. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-23 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2018-10, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that with the County Shop moving from the building located at the intersection of 5th and Gill Streets the future use of the former County Shop has not yet decided. As a “County Use” property, the lot is not zoned. After reviewing the issue, the P & Z Board recommended that if the County use of the property were to end, that the future use of the property should be residential in nature. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-24 setting forth the position of the City Council with regard to the desired future land use of County Shop property located at 307 W. 5th Street, Monticello, said desired use to be residential in nature, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the P & Z Board discussed the desire of the gas station located at 616 S. Main Street to keep both pole signs currently in use and to add a digital sign to the pole located nearest S. Main Street. The P & Z Board recommended that the pole signs be allowed to stay at this time and to permit the digital sign so long as it did not extend any wider than the existing sign, with the property owner and the City entering into an agreement similar to the agreement previous approved by Council with regard to the canopy/ pumps, allowing the signage to remain as long as this business continued in operation. Council discussed merits of proposal. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-25 approving continued use and modification of Pole Signage at 616 S. Main Street with restrictions to be memorialized in Agreement and recorded with Jones County Recorder, Russ seconded, roll call vote, Yeoman, Lux, Russ and Paulson voted aye and Goedken and Pratt voted nay; Motion carried.
Herman acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Ron Buscher related to the City operated sanitation service and his desire to not outsource the Sanitation Department. Herman also noted his receipt of a letter from Roling Sanitation LLC in regard to the recycling service they currently provide to the City. Herman stated both Roling and Republic were willing to provide recycling carts, as the Council requested, but would not require the use of the carts. No action was taken.
Russ moved to go into closed session under §21.5(1)(j) of the Iowa Code “To discuss purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for the property”, seconded by Goedken. Roll call unanimous.
Russ moved, Pratt seconded to end the closed session and return to open session. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to direct Herman to proceed as discussed in the closed session related to the purchase of the real estate, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:52 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk