Regular Council Meeting
January 23, 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 was absent. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and Library Director Faith Brehm. 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.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore, voiced concerns regarding the City’s sidewalk not being shoveled along Cedar Street. He inquired on cars parked on street that were not moved in 24 hours after the snow and who is in charge of this. Smith stated his department issues $25.00 tickets for this. Smith advised that the 100 block of Sycamore Street is an issue due to limited parking on the west side of the street.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda; Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Oswald advised they will be advertising for the pool staff positions and would like the wages set. They raised Aquatic Center rates to help offset the increase of wages. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-17 Approving the wages for Monticello Aquatic Center staff. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2023-18 Approving Jacob and Kendra OswaldTax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 902 Northridge Drive, Monticello, Iowa. Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the max levy rate is $13.46439 per $1,000 valuation. Due to State mandated reductions in the commercial and industrial property valuations, recalculation of multi-Family residential valuation and overall increases in costs across every aspect of City business, both the levy and the levy rate will need to increase to meet budget demands. Tom Osborne, 111 East South Street and Kaye Junion, 245 North Arminda inquired what the levy rate breakdown was, tax rates compared to other Cities and how wastewater facility will affect the tax levy. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-19 Settingthe Maximum Tax Dollars to be collected by the City from Certain Levies for the City’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget for Public Hearing Scheduled for February 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-20 Authorizing Transfer of Property/Quit Claim Deed for the “Compadres Building” at 103 W. First Street to Glass Tap LLC, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Peach motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 P.M. Council held a budget work session until 8:15 P.M., reviewing the general fund budgets.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer