Regular Council Meeting
July 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 and Police Chief Britt Smith. City Engineer AJ Barry joined electronically. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, with limited seating or participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” and were encouraged to communicate from Zoom Meeting via chat, due to the heightened public health risks of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The meeting did have public attendance, both in-person and on Zoom Meeting.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, adding resolution to adopt the Jones County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and correction of Mark Stoneking appointment to Fire Board not Park Board. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kay Junion, 245 N Arminda, requested Council to reconsider fireworks ordinance and to shorten the time allowed. She also voiced concerns on neighbor demolishing pickup/ trailer box. Smith reported an officer investigated and the construction project is allowed in the City Code unless it is for capital gains, then it would fall under the home occupation code.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore, addressed issues with the area by Sixth Street that was seeded but weeds are growing not grass. Herman stated this was outside the North Sycamore Project, but city did deliver some dirt and the seeding contractor did seed that area.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed adoption of the Monticello City Code of Ordinances. Staff received no written comments and there were no oral comments. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on the proposed adoption of the Monticello City Code of Ordinances.
Lux introduced and moved Ordinance #728 adopting the “Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, first reading and in title only, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported on concerns that catch basin cap on the east side of the Monticello Monument’s driveway has moved and the owner Mark Kraus feels the location storm sewer is why the driveway is damaged. Goedken questioned the need of four catch basins on each side of the street in that short distance. Herman stated Brian Monk pinned the catch basin cap to the sidewalk across the street when he redid his sidewalk. Kraus reported there are about six trip hazards in front of his store, which he purchase about five years ago. Kraus feels the City storm sewer is causing the damage to his sidewalk and driveway. Goedken felt City should check to see if the four catch basins are needed on both sides of the street. Yeoman moved to table the motion to approve replacement of sidewalk/ driveway panels in front of Monticello Monument at City cost, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman read email received from Norm Zimmerman related to his property at 920 North Cedar Street and his two proposed options to install sewer service. Option 1 – Zimmerman will pay $12,000 and both of his neighbors to pay $5,000 each, if the City installs an 8-inch sewer main. Option 2 – Zimmerman requests City get the easement from Systems Unlimited and allow him to use it, and he will install a 6-inch private line, which will connect to the City manhole in Systems Unlimited driveway, at his expense. Goedken moved to direct Herman to proceed with 8-inch sewer main to 920 North Cedar, contacting City Engineer to get cost estimate and DNR approval as discussed. Further approving, if cost estimate comes in too high or DNR will not approve the 8-inch sewer main as proposed, then authorize Norm Zimmerman to extend a 6-inch service line to the City manhole in Systems Unlimited driveway, at his expense. Feldmann seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that Keith Hagen would like to construct a home on East First Street on land located just west of the sewage treatment plant road. City Engineers designing the sewage treatment plant upgrades do not see an issue with a home being built there as it would be located outside the “restricted area”. Hagen stated he would like to install a 4-inch sewer line and a 1-inch water line to the west along First Street to connect to the City mains near Riverview Court. Goedken moved to approve Keith Hagen to install private water and sewer lines along East First Street and connect to the City Main near Riverview Court and after the private lines are installed, that City staff should add this line to the City GIS system for locating purposes. Feldmann seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-78 Authorizing the City Clerk to make the Appropriate Transfers of Sums and Record the Same in the Appropriate Manner for FY 2021 for the City of Monticello, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported doing a walk thru with the Berndes Center HVAC engineer and contractor to prepare a punch list of items to be addessed. Herman has reviewed the punch list work completed and recommends payment to the contractor and to pay retainage in 30 days absent of identification of problem of the work performed. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2020-79 Approving Pay Request #4 from Crawford Company related to Berndes Center HVAC Project, Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Smith reported when they re-did the ambulance on-call work schedule to increase their work load and to cover all night shifts, 7 days a week from 6 pm to 6 am, it was proposed to increase the on-call rate from $2.00 per hour to $8.00 per hour. Once a member actively responds to a call or treating/ transporting a patient, the rate increases to $19.30 per hour for EMT and AEMT and to $22.30 per hour for Paramedic. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-80 Approving on-call Ambulance Pay Rates, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Smith applied for a CDBG grant and received $2,295.00 to purchase a UV disinfecting light for the ambulance service and Accountability Software and Equipment for the Fire Department. Conditions of the grant require the City to have certain policies in place and to hold a public hearing. Goedken moved to Resolution #2020-81 Approving the Residential Anti Displacement & Relocation Assistance Plan Policy, Equal Opportunity Policy, Excessive Force Policy and Affirmative Fair Housing Policy related to the CDBG Grant and Scheduling a Public Hearing for July 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Jones County Emergency Management Coordinator Brenda Leonard advised FEMA approved the Jones County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which covers all of Jones County and each City needs to approve plan to be eligible for FEMA funding. Lux advised the Plan needs to be reviewed and approved every five years. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-82 Approving Jones County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman advised the Goal Setting work session will follow the July 20th Council meeting.
Herman stated Tree Board Chair Anne Strittmatter put together a survey for residents along the North Sycamore Street project. Tree Board will try to contact anyone that does not return a survey. Tree Board member and Black Hills Energy employee Marv Kelchen had stated at their last meeting, he did not have an issue with trees being planted over gas mains, as long as it was not within 6-feet of “T” of the main. Stuart Gerdes, 615 North Sycamore, questioned if they could plant a tree on their own instead of waiting for the City. Wolken stated he would need to get a tree permit that the Tree Board would review and the cost of the tree would be at their expense. Herman inquired if Council was okay with trees being planted over water and sewer mains. Goedken did not see an issue if the Tree Board approves, then Council should not deny. If the residents on the east side of the street put in trees with shorter roots, it shouldn’t be a problem. Wolken questioned if the tree planting advice from the Engineer was a recommendation or a requirement. Due to the availability of trees, Herman stated the Tree Board is looking at planting some trees this fall and the majority of them in the spring.
Herman stated LL Pelling was hired to do the painting on North Sycamore Street but no start date was set.
Herman reported the State will begin the Resurfacing Hwy 38 Project in 2022. IDOT contacted Herman regarding a Federal mandate that every street project look at installing bike lanes. Herman felt it would not work on Cedar Street and to do on First Street would require the elimination of parking on one side of the street. The sidewalk intersections will need to be handicap accessible. The State will pay for the street portion of the project. If the City wants to do the parking area, it will be at the City’s expense.
Herman advised the yard waste grinding should have been completed already. However they had equipment struck by lighting and had to replace the equipment. They have the new equipment now, but with the COVID-19 there is more brush than usual, so they are behind schedule. Council questioned if they should be looking for a new company to do the grinding and maintenance.
Smith reviewed information regarding purchasing a vehicle to replace the vehicles going to Airport and Park Departments. He is looking at purchasing an SUV with a standard V-6 or a hybrid V-6. He is not proposing a propane vehicle at this time, as the conversion kits are so expensive. He plans to test drive the Cedar Rapids Police Department hybrid vehicle. A standard SUV is around $32,000, while a hybrid SUV is $37,000 and the fuel savings are higher.
Kahler stated he contacted LL Pelling after the last Council meeting and was advised that they completed the Highway 38 project and were leaving town the next day and would not be back this year. He stated if he lined up the streets they would do them before leaving town, so he met with Herman and they selected the east side of 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th Streets and Diamond Drive to be sealcoated and they asked if they could do 7th Street at no cost to the City.
Herman reported Park & Facilities Superintendent Shannon Poe advised him today that 111 passes were sold, with 366 people included on the passes. There were 85 City, 20 School District and 6 Jones County passes sold
Feldmann moved to adjourn at 8:29 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk