Regular Council Meeting – Official
January 21, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Brant Lagrange, and City Engineers Patrick Schwickerath & AJ Barry. Council member Tom Yeoman was absent.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, noting that the Carmen Jamison’s name was misspelled in the minutes of the last meeting, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Lisa Folken, Kirkwood Community College, advised that Kirkwood Community College was having a Business Innovation course for High School students. Students will be presented with community projects or community problems to consider and will choose approximately four projects to work on for the community as part of this class.
Jan Hoag, Monticello Chamber of Commerce, announced that the City of Monticello received an award for the Ten-T-Hangar at their annual banquet.
Russ moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the Senior Dining has requested a Monticello investment in the amount of $3,700 for FY 2020, which is down from $4,500 in FY 2019. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-06 Approving FY ’20 Senior Dining Funding request in the amount of $3,700, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that Jones County JETS has requested a Monticello investment in the amount of $1,500, which is consistent with the City’s investment since FY ’10. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-07 to approve funding/investment in Jones County JETS Transportation System in the amount of $1,500.00, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Russ moved to approve Resolution #19-08 Approving Christine First Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 514 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa, seconded by Paulson, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the Monticello Firefighter’s Organization has requested a Monticello investment in the amount of $2,600 for fireworks on July 4th, 2019. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-09 Approving investment in the Independence Day Fireworks festivities to be held on July 4, 2019, in the amount of $2,600, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-10 Designating the Monticello Express as the Official Publication Newspaper for City of Monticello, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that three bids were received to install 16 Cooper LTG Prevail LED street lamp fixtures on Welter Drive. Currently 13 of the 16 lamps are not working. Monti Plumbing, Heating, and Electric was the low bidder with a bid in the amount of $8,640 which will be paid from the general fund street lights budget. Herman also reported that Alliant estimated the rebate to install the LED lights would be $175 per fixture or $2,800. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-11 to approve hiring Monti Plumbing, Heating & Electric to install replacement heads on all Welter Drive light poles, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the struggle with youth baseball and softball, from a Recreation standpoint, is that parents are beginning to pull their kids at younger ages from the REC program to play on travel teams. Last year, MYBSA Board voted to recommend this policy that would require kids to play on both the Rec League and Travel teams if they want to utilize any fields within the City for tournament team practices or games, similar to Manchester and Dyersville. Mike Hines and Bob Hines expressed their opinions that the requirement should not be imposed. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-12 approving a policy with regard to the use of City controlled Baseball and Softball Diamonds to youth travelling/tournament teams, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. The Resolution rescinds the previously approved policy that required rec league participation as a condition to use of City controlled fields.
Smith reviewed 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. Under the new ordinance, a 16 year old would be allowed to drive an ATV/UTV as long as they had a DNR certificate. To operate a golf cart in the City, the driver must be 18, and in both cases the driver must have a valid Driver’s License. Bobby Krum, Amber, stated most cities is Jones County has agreed to follow the Jones County Ordinance and recommends Monticello does also, to keep the rules consistent across the County. Goedken moved 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, first reading and in title only, Russ 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. 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. While Hughes text Herman that he would be in to see him, he has not. Herman updated the Council on Dave Lumpa’s suit against the City, explaining that a Motion to Dismiss has been filed as it appears that all of Lumpa’s allegations against the City are related to past civil actions against Lumpa where he was assessed penalties by the Court.
Herman reported that Billy Norton has resigned and that the City will be seeking applications to fill his position very soon.
Schwickerath suggested that the Council allow the N. Sycamore contractor the option to complete the 1st block of Sycamore Street from 1st to 2nd Street, in 2020. This would allow additional flexibility and should result in lower bids. If, however, the contractor decides to work on that block they must finish it in 2019. He also asked if the Council was comfortable with the contractor working on that block, if they chose to do so, during the Fair. The Chief and the Council did not object to that being allowed. Schwickerath informed the Council that in the area of the downtown buildings they sometimes find unexpected things when excavating and wanted to make the Council aware of that possibility. Schwickerath also stated that the ADA requires a five foot by five foot passing lane at least every two-hundred feet on sidewalks. For that reason, there will be five foot by five foot sections on certain portions of the four foot wide sidewalks on the North Sycamore Street project.
Library Director, Michelle Turnis reviewed library activities and usage over the last year. Turnis also reviewed her proposed budget for FY 2020, noting that they are purchasing more books with donated funds and not the general budget. She explained that the Library will be undergoing an LED update. The Library Board is requesting that the Council approve of a $122,500 appropriation for the FY ’20 budget and that the Council release the remaining budgeted appropriation of $2,500 from the current year budget. If the Council approves, the FY ’19 and ’20 budget appropriations will be identical.
Herman reviewed the Airport budget and will e-mail a complete summary of Revenues and Expenses to the City Council this week.
Herman stated that Ambulance Director Dawn Brus reported that they are have maintenance issues with the ambulance and that they discussed the potential purchase of a new ambulance. Herman suggested to Brus that she look into grants to help cover the cost and if grants were found that the budget could be amended.
Russ moved to adjourn at 7:51 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk