Regular Council Meeting
February 6, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor David Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Chris Lux, Candy Langerman, Wayne Peach, Brenda Hanken and Scott Brighton. Council member Tom Yeoman joined the meeting via Zoom. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water /Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Public Works Director Nic Kahler. 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.
Langerman moved to approve the agenda, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
John Sauser, 526 West First Street, inquired on the status of the stop light located at the intersection of First Street and Main Street. Kahler advised the parts are on order and were to be delivered in January, however it has been delayed until late February to early March.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda; Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised for various grants, particularly federal grants, the City needs to show evidence of a compliant procurement policy. During the review of the HSEMD grant application for the backup generators for the Fire Department and West Well, the State noted the City’s policy needed updating to comply with current standards. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2023-21 Approving City of Monticello Procurement Policy. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reviewed the proposed amendment to the current sewer credit policy based on the increased sewer rates. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-22 Approving the City of Monticello Sewer Credit Policy in regard to granting credits to sewage usage fees. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-23 Amending Resolution 2022-123, Authorizing the Mayor to sign Monticello Main Street Agreement and City continued support and participation in the Main Street Program. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-24 Approving Pay Request #1 related to the Monticello Airport Taxiway Connector project, to Boomerang in the amount of $88,184.03. Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous
Farnum reported the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the Plat of Survey and recommended approval plat for Parcel 2023-06. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-25 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2023-06, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the Plat of Survey for Parcel 2023-07 and recommended approval of plat. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-26 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2023-07, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the Plat of Survey for Parcel 2023-08, which is outside the City Limits. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-27 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2023-08, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kahler stated the City has hired two summer staff to help mow and maintain the Cemetery, help with yard waste pickup and other public works jobs. Hanken advised she intended to vote against the hiring of any staff, as public has contacted her on this. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-28 Approving the hiring and wage for Public Works/Cemetery summer staff. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous except Hanken who voted nay. Carried.
Oswald reported the Park Board reviewed his proposed rate increases and recommends the rates given to the Council. Langerman moved to approve Resolution 2023-29 Approving increased user fees for the Monticello Aquatic Center and Park and Recreation Department. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Financial Advisor Matt Stoffel reviewed the three quotes received for the interim financing for the City’s upcoming $15,933,000 Sewer Revenue Loan with the USDA. The remainder of the project will be funded by a $4,848,000 USDA Grant. Once fully drawn, the interim loan will be paid off with the proceeds from the USDA long term loan with an interest rate of 1.50%. Keith Kramer with F & M Bank, reported F & M Bank would lead and the four local banks went together and will split the financing among them. Brighton moved to direct staff to negotiate with F & M Bank in syndicate with Ohnward Bank & Trust, Fidelity Bank and Citizens State Bank on interim financing for the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Financial Advisor Matt Stoffel reviewed financial planning models related to the 2023 bonding proposal. Goedken voiced his concerns on keeping the tax rates the same and getting less funding to do projects, with the costs of everything increasing. No action was taken.
City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath gave aa update on the 6th Street Ditch project, with what was previously done versus what needs to be done, with the changes in the Federal and State requirements. The length of the stream will remain about the same. The length of new armory needs, to be under 300 feet and current plans have around 400 feet, so they are looking at the flow reports. Armory is considered rip rap and/or concrete walls. Also the area needs to be less than 300 acres, which the City in under. Schwickerath advised this will always be a stream and there will be erosion and maintenance that will be required to maintain the stream.
Schwickerath advised he is reviewing the proposed plans from Jellystone Campground to connect to City water and sewer services.
Farnum reported the Mayor requested a desk and filing space, in City Hall and he is looking into purchasing one.
Farnum is working on possible solutions to the daycare problem with JCEDC, and they are meeting weekly to discuss ideas/implementation plans for possible solutions.
Hinrichsen reported working on updating the SAMS numbers for the City, which has taken several months to get through the federal process. She continues to work on budget.
Smith reported the State COAP Grant runs out of funding in September 2023 and State coordinator reached out to see if the County and cities would be interested in supporting the program to keep it going and asked Monticello to give $5,000. Smith stated it costs about $960/referral to go thru the program and Monticello had two referrals last year. Smith counteroffered to support the amount of costs for referral of the City has go thru the program.
Oswald reported the Volunteer Iowa, City Volunteer Engagement Initiative training starts this week.
Aquatic Center applications are now being accepted.
Miller Corn Hole will be holding the State Corn Hole competition in Monticello on March 10th and 11th.
Brehm advised they are holding two valentine activities at the Library and will be hosting the “Coming Home” event this month.
Peach motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Council took a short break and then held a budget work session until 8:24 P.M., reviewing the debt and capital project fund budgets.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer