Regular Council Meeting
July 3, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor David Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Wayne Peach, Scott Brighton and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water /Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Library Director Faith Brehm, and Park and 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.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda; Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on proposed Sale/Swap of City owned property located north and adjacent to Riverside Gardens. Staff reported there were no comments. Farnum reported Council and Public have asked why City is even considering this transfer of property. Farnum advised it was staff’s job to bring this request to Council to consider. Oswald reported the Park Board had looked into exchanging a couple of holes of the Golf Course on City property with land by Riverside Gardens for trail access along the river. Estimated costs for the survey came in around $10,000. Goedken questioned if we could get an agreement where they allowed City to put in the trail along the river. Peach questioned if it would be a liability issue and Farnum advised City had insurance for that. Yeoman didn’t like that the City was to cover all costs related to survey and land transfer and felt it should be split. Mayor closed the Public Hearing. Consensus of the Council was to have Oswald look into multiple other options or agreements, for trail access to that area.
Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-94 Approving Lynn Rollinger Tax Abatement Improvements Application related to Residential constructed at 203 East Second Street, Monticello, Iowa. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-95 Amending Resolution 2023-81 and AdoptingFY ’24Salary for the Police Chief and Library Director and Wages for Library Staff. Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised this resolution will allow Council to bond for these projects in the future to pay the City back for expenses related to the projects. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-96 Related to the financing of a project proposed to be undertaken by the City of Monticello, Iowa; establishing compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported that Royal Flush Truck Wash owes violations to the City related to their pre-treatment agreement that was approved by the Iowa DNA and City. This will allow City to pay for these fines, instead of paying Royal Flush and subtracting the fines from amount that would have been paid to Royal Flush. Langerman moved to approved Resolution #2023-97 Re-Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mike Beck and Ken McDermott, known as Royal Flush Truck Wash, Inc per Development Agreement, dated March 17, 2014, and as amended, dated June 3, 2019 and paying the City of Monticello for Royal Flush Truck Wash, Inc’s delinquent Pre-Treatment Agreement fines prior to all future payments. Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised School Board decided to move forward with Theisen’s Home, Farm and Auto Store purchasing the Old Middle School building. Farnum is working with City attorney and Theisen’s to finalize the agreement. The next three items are to get the process moving. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-98 Preliminarily approving proposed Development Agreement between the City of Monticello and Theisen’s Real Estate LLC and scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed agreement. Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous. Public Hearing will be held on August 7th at 6 PM.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-99 Preliminarily approving Proposed Amendment to Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include Theisen’s Real Estate LLC Project, and to schedule a Public Hearing on the proposed Urban Renewal Plan amendment for the 7th day of August 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-100 Scheduling Public Hearingon the proposed Re-Zoning of property located at 217 South Maple Street from “School Owned” to C-1 General Commercial for August 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported that BR5 LLC is proposing to construct a 12-unit apartment building behind Dollar Fresh and the next resolutions sets the public hearings to move forward. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-101 Preliminarily approving proposed Development Agreement between the City of Monticello and BR5 LLC and scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed agreement. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-102 Preliminarily approving Proposed Amendment to Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include BR5 LLC Project, and to schedule a Public Hearing on the proposed Urban Renewal Plan amendment for the 7th day of August 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-103 Scheduling Public Hearingon the proposed Re-Zoning of property described as Lot 2 of BR3 Subdivision from C-1 General Commercial to R-3 Multiple Family Residential for August 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Main Street Iowa did a survey on the local Monticello Main Street program, which was doing well and offered tips for them to work on.
Farnum advised the 4th of July parade committee has built in rain delay, if needed. He thanked all the volunteers for their work organizing the day’s events and everyone that has a parade entry. Firemen’s breakfast is at the Berndes Center from 6:30 am to 10:30 am. Family activities during the day and fireworks at dusk.
Farnum advised the Jones County Democrats and Republicans will sponsor a free, public presentation on the proposed CO2 Pipelines across Iowa and their impact on Jones County. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Monticello High School auditorium.
Mayor Goedken also thanked the many volunteers that worked on the 4th of July events, putting up the flags and entering the parade.
Tjaden reported the Lead/Copper Survey is going well. Currently he only has one documented lead service line.
Oswald reported this year they had night swimming lessons and it was well received.
Brehm advised the Library staff and the Friends of the Library will be in the 4th of July parade handing out items.
Brehm stated they are starting their summer hours and will be open 9 am to 6 pm, Monday thru Friday and 9 am to noon on Saturday.
Brehm reported on activities happening at the Library for all to enjoy.
Peach moved to adjourn at 6:39 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer