Regular Council Meeting – Official
July 16, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Gary “Butch” Pratt, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, Deputy City Clerk Cheryl Clark, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Casey Zwolinski. Council member Dave Goedken was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, as amended by adding Engineer’s Report, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Diana Stadtmueller gave an update from the Fountain Committee.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #18-84 Approving Calvin D. & Dena G. Himes Tax Abatement related to Residential Improvements constructed at 510 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous.
Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-85 to approve Pay Request #9, related to the Monticello Airport Ten-T Hangar project, to Schaus-Vorhies in the amount of $14,411.25, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-86 Approving Pay Request #6 in the amount of $15,681.23 and Change Order #2 in the amount of $1,344 submitted by Taylor Construction, Inc. Re: 2018 E. 1st Bridge Replacement Project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous, except for Paulson who voted nay.
Herman reported that Snyder & Associates has requested additional compensation in the amount of $8,800 related to additional time spent by them on the Ten-T Hangar Project than originally anticipated. Snyder reports that their expenses exceeded the contract amount by $13,980. Yeoman reports that the Airport Board did not support the additional payment. Pratt moved to approve Resolution #18-87 to approve pay request from Snyder & Associates related to Airport Ten-T Hangar Project in the amount of $8,800, seconded by Russ, roll call all nays, except for Pratt who voted aye. After further discussion, Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-87 to approve pay request from Snyder & Associates related to Airport Ten-T Hangar Project in the amount of $4,400, seconded by Pratt, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported on the potential E. 1st Street project, near the Disc Golf Course, involving potential repairs or modifications related to two culverts lying under E. 1st Street. The Council originally looked at placing heavily reinforced concrete over the culverts to keep them from heaving every year. Herman reported meeting with Brian Monk to look at another solution, the removal of the culverts and the creation of a swale on the Disc Golf Course side of E. 1st Street to transfer run off to Kitty Creek. Herman requested that this matter be tabled until he received permitting information from City Engineer Schwickerath. Russ moved to table approving E. 1st Street Culvert Removal and Swale Construction Project until further information is received from Schwickerath, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that Karde’s Highway 38 has requested permission to replace their existing pole sign with a new pole sign at approximately the same location. Herman reported that the P & Z recommended that the pole sign request be approved so long as the bottom of the sign was at least 8’ above grade so as to not block visibility when turning at 2nd and Cedar, or that the sign be moved to the NW corner of their lot. Dean Cox, owner of Karde’s, was present and had no objection to the recommended 8’ clearance and also agreed that the sign could be moved 1’ to the east and 1’ north to ensure that it is totally out of the ROW. Herman informed Cox that a sign permit would be required. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-88 approving Karde’s Highway 38 location Pole Sign request, with requirement that they meet the recommended 8’ clearance, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that P & Z reviewed and recommended the approval of the Plat of Survey to Parcels 2018-48, 49 and 50. One parcel will be sold, one will become City street right-of-way and one will be retained by the existing owner. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-89 to approve Plat of Survey to Parcel 2018-48, 2018-49 and 2018-50, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous except for Yeoman who abstained.
Pratt moved Ordinance #717 amending Chapter 165, “ZONING REGULATIONS”, of certain property located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, same being generally described as 203 E 9th Street, Monticello, IA 52310, and amending the Official Zoning Map, third reading and in title only, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved Ordinance #718 amending Chapter 122, “Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants”, second reading and in title only, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that he drafted an ordinance to amend Chapter 68, Code of Ordinances, One-Way Traffic by adding the alleyway between S. Walnut Street and S. Gill Street. This would make the traffic eastbound only for through traffic. Ann McClusky, 411 Bradview Court, did not believe the one-way designation would be enforced enough to solve the problem and suggested speed bumps. Mark Cottrell, 431 Bradview Court, stated that a road extension from Grandview to South Walnut would help. Herman stated that it would take three readings for the change to take place and that there can be changes along the way. Yeoman introduced and moved Ordinance #719 amending Chapter 68, “One-Way Traffic”, first reading and in title only, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that letters would be sent to property owners that wanted the City to contract their sidewalk repairs. He stated that work continues on the Willow Park Trail and that the sanitation transition didn’t go as smoothly as he had hoped, he will also be contacting commercial customers that have not yet switched to Republic.
Smith reported on Police Department activity for May and stated that most residents respected the fireworks timeframe. Herman stated he didn’t get any complaints, but did read some online. Smith stated that he is looking for feedback regarding a School Resource Officer. Consensus of the Council was that it is worth continuing consideration.
Zwolinski reported on the East First Street washouts near the new bridge. He stated that it would cost between $40,000-50,000 to replace the gravel shoulders with concrete shoulders with curb and gutter on the east side. The DOT would reimburse the City for 80% of the costs. Yeoman moved to direct the City Engineer to proceed with the preparation of a change order, plan sheet and supplemental agreement, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous except for Paulson, who voted nay.
Herman reported that the Erin Devilbiss requested a private hearing on the nuisance abatement notice as opposed to an in chambers hearing. The Mayor, Herman, and up to three council members will arrange a meeting with her. Russ and Pratt agreed to be on the hearing committee and Goedken will be invited to join them.
Yeoman moved to go into closed session to discuss strategy with counsel in matters where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation
Pratt moved to go into open session, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous. Pratt moved to direct Herman to proceed as discussed in closed session, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:52 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Cheryl Clark, Deputy City Clerk