Regular Council Meeting
July 1, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Scott Brighton, Mary Phelan and Jake Ellwood. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Library Director Faith Brehm, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Colton Ingles. Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald arrived during the meeting. 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.
Brenneman moved to approve the agenda, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Tom Osborne, 630 S. Sycamore Street and Quinn Phelan, 1040 Riverview Ct, on behalf of the 4th of July committee, wanted to thank the City staff for all their help and all the volunteers that will be helping on the 4th.
Tom Osborne, 630 S. Sycamore Street, questioned if he could participate in the trail discussion during the work session. Mayor advised that would be a Council decision.
Erich Eggers, 215 N. Chestnut Street, questioned the sidewalk on the N. Chestnut Street Project and why they were not getting 5-foot continuous sidewalks. Ingles advised the plan was to do sidewalks at intersections and the required 5-foot passing lane every 400-feet. Goedken stated they did not tear out the sidewalks to save the trees. Eggers questioned how much below budget the project was and was advised the project is not completed.
Megan Beaman, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, introduced herself to the Council
Steve Hanken, 823 S. Main Street, questioned who was going to be in charge of the maintenance of the trail. He voiced concerns on the native grass areas at the disc golf course.
Phelan moved to approve the consent agenda; Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened the public hearing on the proposal received regarding the sale of the property commonly known as 541 Chestnut Street. No public comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-99 Approving sale of City Owned Property at 541 N Chestnut Street, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-100 Approving Change Order #4, in the decreased amount of $1,021.26 submitted by Tank Pro, Inc related to the South Water Tower Repainting and Maintenance Project. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-101 Approving Pay Request #4 to Tank Pro, Inc., Re: South Water Tower Repainting and Maintenance Project in the amount of $4,444.80, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-102 Approving water tower hatch repairs and to hire Viking Industrial, to perform the necessary repairs/improvements not to exceed $6,000.00, Brenneman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Smith requested increasing the residency requirement for police department from 15 air miles to 35 miles. This will aid in the recruitment and retaining of officers. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-103 to update the Monticello Police Department’s residency restrictions. Brenneman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Ingles advised the change order was for exploratory excavation to locate the existing water services for two properties that were determined to be serviced from West 2nd Street main. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-104 Approving Change Order #1, in the increased amount of $6,635.00 submitted by Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC related to the N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project. Ellwood seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-105 Approving Pay Request #2 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC, Re: N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $141,632.55. Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-106 Preliminarily approving Proposed Amendmentto Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include Northridge 5th Addition Project, and to schedule a Public Hearing on the proposed Urban Renewal Plan amendment for the 5th day of August, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-107 Preliminarily approving proposed Development Agreement between the City of Monticello and Highland Corp and scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed agreement. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Kahler advised the baseboard heaters that quit at the Public Works Facility were there before he started, and the air conditioner was 12 years old. He felt the mini split would be more efficient and it was included in his budget for FY 2025. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-108 Approving Purchase of a mini split unit for the Public Works Facility from White Hawk Plumbing & Heating of Monticello, Iowa. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Ingles updated Council on the work being done at the Wastewater Treatment Facility and N. Chestnut Street Project. Ingles stated the 6th Street Ditch plans were reviewed with Farnum and Kahler and working on the ROW limits. He will have plans at the next meeting for Council to review.
Farnum wished everyone a Happy Independence Day and advised the City offices will be closed, however the Aquatic Center will be open. Farnum advised the airport house has been leased out and agreements are signed. He reported after the July 15th Council meeting, they will be holding a goal setting session. He reported the Rotary helped cleanup the downtown area last week and volunteers planted flowers.
Kahler advised that the painting of streets is near completion. The streets have been swept along the parade route and will be setting out the barricades. They were also helping with trees at the cemetery.
Smith reported a semi was driving on Hwy 151 when he hit a pipe which punctured the fuel tank. He drove into town, realized he was leaking fuel and drove to Kardes 151 to drop of the trailer and then proceeded to drive to Dyersville. DNR was made aware of the fuel spill and Public Works cleaned up areas of the spill. There was also an accident caused with a moped on the slick roadway due to the spill.
Smith reported that a pallet of fireworks was dropped off twice in the last two weeks, for the stand in Dollar Fresh parking lot, with no staff present. The State Fire Marshall’s Office was contacted and the only thing the City can do is revoke their fireworks permit. Smith stated he was not aware of the first shipment until they were notified of the second shipment, which sat unattended for three hours. Smith was looking for direction from the Council on how they wanted him to handle this situation.
Oswald updated Council on the various activities happening in the Parks & Rec department. He advised the pool was closed last Thursday and Friday following an incident, that required the pool to be shocked and chlorine levels brought back to a safe level.
Brehm reported the State data report was released and the library programs and attendance is above average for “D” libraries.
Brehm reported that the Library received a grant from AARP to purchase a self-contained kitchen cart. This will allow them to do cooking demonstrations for Library programs.
Hinrichsen reported working on closing books for fiscal year and starting year end reports. Also working on quarterly reports for various grants.
Work session was held on the trail along Hwy 151. Brighton questioned what the overall goal for the trail was, years down the road? This will determine what should be done now for the future. Phelan stated she was out there and there are a lot of rough spots and grading needs to be done. Ellwood stated he and Goedken went to look at the trails and felt most of the drainage issues can be worked out with the IDOT. Goedken stated Ellwood, Mary and Quinn Phelan looked at trail and they felt City needs to work with the IDOT on the drainage issues and possible trailhead. Ellwood would like to see a trailhead off 190th Street for now. When asked, Oswald stated he was looking to seed area down to get people on the trail and do a trailhead in the future. Goedken stated he mowed the thistles and tilled. Farnum stated is was recommended not to seed until Fall. He was looking for direction on how to proceed: 1) not seed until August or 2) seed with oats where path would be and then seed in the fall. Brighton questioned who was going to mow the path. Goedken advised the 1st year should be clipped to 8 to10 inches a couple times that year. Goedken offered to till the ground a couple more times this year. Brighton liked the idea of Goedken tilling the ground for weed control and seeding in the Fall. Farnum advised they have a meeting scheduled with the IDOT and will discuss the drainage issues and trailhead options with them.
Brighton moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer