Regular Council Meeting
January 3, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Scott Brighton, Jake Ellwood, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman and Mary Phelan. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm, Ambulance Director Lori Lynch, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Police Chief Britt Smith and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Langerman moved to approve the agenda, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Peach explained that due to his hearing disability, he moved to where he could see and hear the Council. e did an exercise with Council and staff related to Interpersonal Conflict Resolution. He hopes the Council works together, considers everyone’s opinion and can come together as a group.
Brian Wolken, with Monticello Main Street invited Council to attend a meeting in Des Moines on February 1st, where they will meet with the State Main Street people that they work with.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened the public hearing on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan Agreement. No public comments were received. City did loan agreement for $21M, but bids came in higher and will need $2.5M more to cover project costs. City is required to get interim financing and is working with the local banks; however, once project is completed USDA will reimburse City for the interim financing. Farnum contacted the local banks and they are on board with the interim financing amount and City is waiting to hear from the USDA on the additional funding. Langerman moved to close the public hearing on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan Agreement, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous. Brighton moved to approve Resolution 2024-01 taking additional action on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan Agreement and combining certain Loan Agreements, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum began the public information meeting on proposed project to purchase a new ambulance with a USDA grant to fund a portion of the ambulance purchase. No public comments were received. Farnum reported the estimated cost of a new ambulance is around $230,000, with the proposed loan/grant paying $27,000; with City paying the balance. Ellwood stated he felt all grants needed to come to Council prior to submission and felt the Mayor and/or City Clerk should only sign grant documents after Council review and approval. Langerman stated City can reject the grant, if Council doesn’t want it. Phelan stated when filling out a grant application, they should know the stipulations. Peach felt the Council shouldn’t micro-manage staff and this is not obligating the City to accept the grant. Brighton felt it was okay to apply for the grant, if the grant is awarded then come back to the Council prior to accepting the grant. Brenda Hanken, 291 North Pine questioned with the REAP grant, if the City was ready to spend the funds required for the trail? Langerman moved to approve Resolution 2024-02 Approving of the Preparation and Submission of Grant Application with USDA to assist in the purchase of and equipping a new ambulance, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous except Goedken and Ellwood who voted nay.
Farnum reported staff has not heard back from the USDA regarding their approval for the additional financing for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project. Farnum stated the contractor granted an additional 30-day extension for City to accept their bid. Langerman moved to table this agenda item to January 16, 2024, at 6:00 o’clock p.m., at the Community Media Center, Monticello, Iowa, at which time and place the City Council will meet to further consider such proposals. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood tabled action on the awarding contract for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project , Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-03 setting public hearing for Feb 5, 2024 on an easement behind 230 South Cedar Street, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous. Farnum stated they are requesting an easement to make the garage setback conforming with City Code and they plan to build on the other side.
Council reviewed the City of Monticello Sewer Credit Policy in regard to granting credits to sewage usage fees. Hinrichsen stated in February 2023, someone came in with a large utility bill, after they had a break and none of the water went into the sewer. At that time, Council raised the credit amount from $500 to $1,500, leaving them a balance of over $500 for sewer portion of bill. After a lengthy discussion on the amount and stipulations for breaks, Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-04 Approving the City of Monticello Sewer Credit Policy in regard to granting credits to sewage usage fees, striking “d. In no event shall any credit exceed $1,500.00, regardless of calculations” from the current policy. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-05 Approving $4,215.00 Credit against Glenda Hall’s utility billing for the property located at 833 North Sycamore Street, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-06 Designating the Monticello Express as the Official Publication Newspaper for City of Monticello, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the next four resolution are to request Jones County to abate accrued taxes on recently purchased properties. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-07 Requesting Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within the city limits of the City of Monticello, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous. This was for 14432 190th Street.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-08 Requesting Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within the city limits of the City of Monticello, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous. This was for tax parcel 0234200013
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-09 Requesting Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within the city limits of the City of Monticello, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous. This was for tax parcel 0234400007.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-10 Requesting Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within the city limits of the City of Monticello, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous. This was for 515 East Grand Street.
Mary Melchert, 1 Spring Farm Lane was present as Co-Founder, of the Jones Co Migrant Inclusion Project. Dr. Keith Stamp is the other Co-Founder. They explored options of helping our Hispanic population in Jones County to experience more inclusion in our Community. They interviewed Arnulfo (Arnie) and Karen Arriaga, owners and operators of La Hacienda Restaurant in Monticello. They came up with four target areas of support needed by the Hispanic population, which included healthcare, English as Second Language (ESL) language skills, financial literacy and help with naturalization to our country. They are looking to partner with Proteus to provide routine medical services for Hispanics in Monticello. This is a federally funded healthcare program. They would like to rent the Community Building for 3 to 4 hours, one day a month for $50.00/per rental. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-11 setting rental rate for Community Center for Jones County Migrant Inclusion Project use, $50.00 /per rental, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Staff advised Council approved the proposed budget amendments on December 18th. Mayor Goedken had veto-ed the budget amendment resolution on December 28th and that was why it was back on this agenda for Council to reconsider. Hinrichsen advised the City is to amend the budget prior to the program expenditures exceeding the budgeted amount, and that was the reason for doing the amendment at this time. With the purchase of the Rowland properties and building on Grand Street the Capital Improvement Program would go over the budgeted amount and we had to close on the property by the end of December. If the Council failed to over-ride the Mayor’s veto, they would be in violation of the State regulation on amending the budget, which will be noted in the fiscal year 2024 audit. After a lengthy discussion on the proposed budget amendments, Langerman moved to approve veto-ed Resolution #2023-183 Approving the City’s Proposed Amendment #1 to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget, Brighton seconded, roll call was: Ayes: Langerman, Brighton and Brenneman and Nays: Goedken, Phelan and Ellwood. Motion failed.
Council discussed the rescheduling of the proposed budget amendments. Hinrichsen advised she has not started balancing the December books, however would have it completed by the next meeting for Council to work on the proposed budget amendments, adding other items that were approved since the publication of the prior notice. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-12 Scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello 2023/2024 Fiscal Year budget amendments for February 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved and Ellwood seconded to move the January 15th Council meeting to January 16th, so everyone could attend the Caucus. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Peach announced that he had appointed Candy Langerman, Scott Brighton and Mary Phelan to serve on the compensation committee.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #772 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding a New Section Authorizing Use of the State Income Setoff Program”, first reading in title only. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Smith reported the DOT speed feedback signs from the DOT Grant will begin to be installed this week. They are not cameras and will not send tickets. They are visual only and no data will be generated.
Oswald advised that Grace Dupuy started today.
Brehm reviewed that activities that were going on at the library.
Lynch advised end of 2023 and they had 797 calls, with 592 transports. Jones County EMS Assn is reimbursing City for Curt’s EVOC classes. She also applied first round of Trust Fund reimbursement in the amount of $3,447.55 from Jones County
Langerman moved, Phelan seconded to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(g) to avoid disclosure of specific law enforcement matters, such as current or proposed investigations or inspection or auditing techniques or schedules, which if disclosed would enable law violators to avoid detection. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved, Langerman seconded to return to open session. Roll call was unanimous. Brighton moved, Langerman seconded directing Police Chief to proceed as directed in closed session. Roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer