Regular Council Meeting
January 6, 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, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, including the following Board appointments: Andrea Janssen to replace Kim McQuillen on the Park Board; reappoint Harry Baumann on the Cemetery Board; reappoint Ellen Strittmatter and Donald Tapken to the Library Board; Appoint Lisa Stevens to fill vacancy on the Library Board; Appoint Gaylen Kray and Marv Kelchen to fill vacancies on Tree Board. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Budget Amendments. Hinrichsen received no written or oral comments. Hanken questioned if the funds were on hand for North Sycamore Street project amendments and why this was not already in the budget. Herman explained that staff estimated the amount of construction work to be completed and to be paid for in last fiscal year higher than what the contractor did, so needs to be added to this budget and the funds were on hand. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019/2020 budget amendments. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-01 Amending the Current Budget Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated the Iowa Caucuses are scheduled on the same night as the February 3rd Council meeting. Yeoman moved to reschedule February 3, 2020 City Council Meeting to February 4, 2020 to avoid conflict with Iowa Caucuses, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Extension & Outreach Youth Program Specialist, Jacki Luckstead and Youth Program Coordinator Molly Schmitt reported the curriculum for this year’s Summer Discovery camp theme will be STEM in Action: Wild Feet Exploration. Last year, 43 kids attended the Monticello camp, with a total of 111 attending the six camps in Jones County. Luckstead requested $500.00 to assist in the cost of the program again this year. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-02 Approving contribution to Jones County Extension Programing in the amount of $500.00, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Tourism President Becky Dirkshaugsted reviewed various tourism events and requested $.30 per capita assessment of $1,139.00 and 4% of the Monticello Hotel/Motel tax. Hanken moved to approve Resolution Approving funding/investment in Jones County Tourism in the amount of $1,139.00 and 4% of the hotel/motel taxes for FY 2021, motion died due to the lack of a second. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-03 Approving funding/ investment in Jones County Tourism in the amount of $1,139.00 for FY 2021, and requesting they come back to Council, if they wanted the Hotel/Motel tax for a specific event, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Economic Development, Executive Director, Derek Lumsden reviewed various projects he worked on last year including the Parks to People Grant, Hometown Pride Grant, daycare opportunities and working on a few business prospects. He is in Monticello office, 2 to 3 days a week. The Council had informally approved a 3 year commitment of $10,000.00 per year and this is the third year of that commitment. Steve Hanken, 823 S Main, questioned where this would be paid from, and Herman stated the general fund. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2020-04 approving JCEDC Investment for FY ’21 in the amount of $10,000.00, seconded by Langerman, roll call unanimous.
Wolken suggested setting up a Board to review projects requesting hotel/ motel taxes and to set the criteria for the funds to be used.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-05 Approving the Written Investment Policy applicable to all Funds of the City of Monticello, Iowa, as required by Chapters 12B and 12C of the Code of Iowa, seconded by Langerman, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-06 Designating the Monticello Express as the Official Publication Newspaper for City of Monticello, seconded by Lux, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported a new requirement related to the budget process was passed in the 2019 State of Iowa Legislative session which requires an additional public hearing to be held regarding the tax levy rate. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-07 Scheduling Public Hearing for the purpose of Considering the Maximum Tax Dollars to be collected by the City from Certain Levies for the City’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget for February 4, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., seconded by Yeoman, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed Horsfield Construction’s change orders #5 and #6. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-08 Approving Change Order #5 in the amount of $47,180.26 and Change Order #6 in the amount of $29,555.41, related to contract between the City of Monticello and Horsfield Construction, seconded by Lux, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed Horsfield Construction final pay request in the amount of $149,699.39. Once project is accepted the four year guarantee maintenance period starts. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-09 Approving Pay Request #9 from Horsfield Construction related to North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $149,699.39 and approving final acceptance of project. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed various options regarding the digital sign. Steve Hanken felt the City should go out to bid for the sign work. Smith stated he initially sent our requests to 5 sign companies and only 3 responded. Council discussed removing sign completely or removing the digital portion of the sign and keeping Monticello portion. No consensus was reached, Goedken moved to table the Monticello Digital Sign action plan and requested staff to get more information related to sign and possible new signs at the two entrance ramps into Monticello. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reviewed price options for a Skid Loader mounted Jack Hammer. The Jack Hammer would primarily be used to bust through concrete when necessary, such as water main breaks and other street or sidewalk repairs. No consensus was reached, Hanken moved to table purchase of Skid Loader mounted Jack Hammer and requested Kahler to get additional information, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reviewed price options for a Vermeer Brush Chipper to be used by the Public Works and Parks Departments. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-10 To approve purchase of a Vermeer Brush Chipper, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Kahler was directed to negotiate with the two dealers, with a not to exceed price of $16,000.00.
Schwickerath stated the final assessments for the North Sycamore Project would be ready for the February meeting.
Schwickerath updated Council on the proposed East 7th Street project. Goedken questioned if the project could be split, with the street section east of Sycamore Street as one bid option and the street section west of Sycamore Street as a second bid option. Schwickerath stated that could be done and also reported that the Gill Street and Sixth Street intersection will be a bid alternative.
Council questioned status of the Sixth Street Ditch project. Schwickerath stated the design work is completed. Herman stated he is working on a USDA Grant for some possible funding. Herman stated they have not pursued easements at this time.
Kahler reported roadway shoulder work was done along South Main Street, as the weather allowed. Department continues to trim trees, as time allows.
Herman suggested forming an Ambulance Department Review Committee. Herman and Smith have been working on ideas on Ambulance leadership and County/Township investment requests and would like to review options with the Committee before bringing to the full Council.
Langerman move to adjourn at 7:53 P.M. Council took a short recess before starting the work session regarding the City Code Book which lasted till 9:57 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk