Regular Council Meeting
January 20, 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 Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. Council member Chris Lux was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda adding Stickley Electric Service invoice in the amount of $1,750.00, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, include appointing Dennis Gray, Dave Tobiason and Doug Bean to the Soldiers Memorial Board and removing the P & Z Board and Board of Adjustments appointments. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the P & Z Board reviewed the Plat of Survey to Parcel 2020-22 within the two-mile jurisdiction and recommended its approval. Langerman moved to approve Resolution 2020-11 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2020-22 located in the two-mile jurisdiction of the City of Monticello, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the P & Z Board reviewed the Plat of Survey to Parcels 2020-26 and 2020-27 and recommended approval. The Parcels are for the Stevens condominium units on South Main Street. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-12 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2020-26 and 2020-27, located within the City limits of the City of Monticello, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the Plat of Survey to Parcels 2020-30 and 2020-31 was previously approved but was not recorded in 2019, so had to be reapproved with a 2020 number. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-13 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2020-30 and 2020-31, located within the City limits of the City of Monticello, Feldmann seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman was advised some time ago by Ambulance Director Dawn Brus that she planned to retire on February 1, 2020. Herman reviewed the proposed Ambulance Department Management Plan that was reviewed with the Ambulance Department Review Committee. Smith will be responsible for the oversight and management of the Ambulance Department. Paramedic Lori Lynch will be promoted to “Lead Paramedic” with day to day responsibilities and supervision to ensure the Ambulance Department and staff are operating within the legal bounds required of the Ambulance Service. Herman stated Ambulance Director Dawn Brus recommended Lynch for the position. He recommended that Lynch receive a $1.00 per hour increase based on her additional responsibilities effective February 1st, with a review of Smith and Lynch’s roles in July 2020. Smith reported that he and Goedken met with Castle Grove Township to review Department finances and township contributions. Herman and Smith, along with members of the Ambulance Department Review Committee, Goedken, Langerman and Lux, plan to meet with the other townships in the near future to review the Ambulance Department finances and to request additional financial support. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-14 Approving Ambulance Management Plan, Feldmann seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the various inspections and Phase 1 Environmental Assessment related to City owned building at 103 West First Street. Demolition estimates suggest a cost between $450,000 and $550,000. Herman reported that there are few, if any, grants to help cover demolition costs while restoration grants are available including the State of Iowa Catalyst Grant, DNR Derelict Building Grant, and DNR Brownfield Grant. Economic Development Director Lumsden advised Council of several buildings that he helped to write grants to restore building, including the Wortman building in Anamosa. Council discussed stabilizing the building and then selling it with the purchaser left to finish the interior. Lumsden stated it would be more cost effective and beneficial to rehab the building than to demolish it. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-15 to approve submission of Catalyst Grant, Derelict Building Grant, and other grants to assist with the costs to renovate City owned property located at 103 West First Street, Feldmann seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reported crew has been busy pushing and moving snow. He also used the new chipper at Baty Disc Golf and it worked great.
Oswald updated Council on programs and improvements completed in 2019 and what their plans are for 2020. Oswald reviewed options to make repairs to sidewalk and fence between Golf Course and park main gate entrances, along Maple Street. The discussion whether to repair the sidewalk only; remove and replace fence and to remove and install a wider sidewalk; or to remove and not replace the fence and install a wider sidewalk, with no decision made. Oswald reported the Park Board recommended removing the fence between Golf Course and the park main gate entrances, along Maple Street. Council requested firmer prices and suggested placing the wider sidewalk inside the park.
Oswald reviewed his request to purchase a Bobcat 5600 for $60,677.42 to replace the 2006 Gator. They could use to clean snow and debris off sidewalks and trails. Kahler stated the Public Works uses the Gator to pull paint wagon when painting streets and curbs and Water Dept uses it to flush hydrants. Council asked Oswald to see if he could get a Bobcat brought to town for the Council to take a look at and for the Department to try.
Herman reported that HVAC plans and specifications have been released.
Herman reported that Phase 2 improvements for Fountain Park are in the planning stages. Cost of these improvements will be paid with grants and donations after Council approval.
Herman updated the Council on Steve Intlekofer property located at 502 South Cedar Street, informing the Council that Mr. Intlekofer was told that the home was zoned R-1 and could not be used as a duplex and that it appears Intlekofer is trying to treat it as a duplex. The dwelling reportedly has a kitchen and bathroom on the main floor and in the basement and each area has a separate entrance. City was informed by a tenant that there were two apartments, one upstairs and one down. Herman reached out to ECIA in Dubuque to ensure that they were aware that the home was zoned R-1 and that they should not provide any rental assistance to this home if it were being utilized as a duplex. After much discussion Council directed Herman to reach out to ECIA again. Depending on the findings with ECIA, Herman was directed to take any legal action necessary to ensure the home was used as permitted by the City Code.
Mayor Wolken review the Council’s appointment to the various boards.
Council took a short recess at 7:59, before starting the work session regarding the City Code Book, budget and Rules of Order & Procedure for Conduct of City Council Business. Langerman move to adjourn at 9:47 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk