Regular Council Meeting
January 3, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Wayne Peach, Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Scott Brighton and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden. 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, due to the heightened public health risks of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The meeting did have public attendance, both in-person and via Zoom.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on the proposed Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing Development Agreement. Staff received no written comments and there were no oral comments. Farnum reported Oak Street Manufacturing plans to build a 40,000-sf building and create 10 to 20 new jobs and have requested rebates and grants, which were agreed to a not to exceed $325,000 over a 10-year period. The two public hearings are needed, one to approve the developer’s agreement and then another to add project to the TIF plan. Mayor Goedken closed the hearing on the proposed Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing Development Agreement. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-1 To Approve Development Agreement between City of Monticello and Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on the proposed designation of Amended Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing Project. Staff received no written comments and there were no oral comments. Mayor Goedken closed the hearing on the proposed designation of Amended Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing Project. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-2 To Approve Amendment to Urban Renewal to include Development Agreement and Economic Incentives to Frontier Warehousing (the “Developer”) and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets Inc. dba Oak Street Manufacturing, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-3 Designating the Monticello Express as the Official Publication Newspaper for City of Monticello, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advertised for RFP in the Monticello Express for the City owned lot located at 449 North Sycamore Street and the City must hold a hearing prior to taking action on selling the lot. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-4 Scheduling a public hearing for January 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM to receive input and to preliminarily accept proposal for the purchase of 449 North Sycamore Street, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reviewed the Jones County Dispatcher’s Agreement with the City cost of $25,975.00 for FY 2023. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-5 Approving Agreement for Communication Services Between Jones County, Jones County Sheriff, and City of Monticello, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported the Council was presented the proposal from the Jones County Fair Board for various sidewalk and drainage issues at the City Park on North Maple, however, the item was not on the agenda for Council to take action. Fair Board will take bids for the improvements and let the City know their share, if the amount is more than $5,000 it will come back to Council for approval. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2022-6 approving sidewalk replacement and cost sharing with Great Jones County Fair, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken reviewed the various Council appointments to serve as liaison for City Boards and County and Regional appointments.
Goedken would like to meet with each department head and go over their budgets and questioned if the Council would like to meet before and/or after a Council meeting, evening or Saturday to do this. Consensus of the Council was to meet at 5PM on January 17th prior to the Council meeting at 6 PM, and then again right after the meeting to see how many they can get through. If needed they will have additional meetings.
Goedken discussed various training for Council and would like to hold a goal setting meeting. Council felt mid-summer would be a good time for a goal setting session.
Farnum reported the City Attorney sent the final version of the Policy Manual. He stated the second session of MLA training with the League of Cites is this week. He reported the Airport was granted $159,000 for future projects. Following the recent snow storm, someone hit the light pole at First and Cedar Street, which was turned into the City insurance. The 7th Street project pre-con meeting will be held this week and contractor is ready to get started.
Tjaden reported their generator is leaking and he called Althoffer to look at it. Hawkins is taking a sample of sludge to try to figure out why it has not been settling for the last two years. He also reported an employee had surgery and will be out for 8 to 10 weeks, but surgery went well.
Brighton moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 pm.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk