Regular Council Meeting – Official
June 5, 2017 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dena Himes called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brian Wolken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, City Engineers Casey Zwolinski and Lindsay Beaman and Police Chief Britt Smith.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Diane Ruchti, 505 S Chestnut advised that she recently purchased the property and was advised that her fence and small shed were not in compliance with the City Code. She requested that the Council consider an amendment to the Code to allow her to have a 6’ fence against the right-of-way. Council expressed willingness to consider amendments to fencing restrictions on rear yards with street frontage and asked Herman to draft a proposed ordinance.
Paulson moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that an agreement had been reached with Al Hughes for the City to buy the property located at 224 N. Chestnut Street consistent with the direction given Herman during a closed session in April. The property will be purchased for $10,000; Hughes to be responsible for taxes previously sold at tax sale, transfer tax and abstract update. City will prepare all closing documents and see to the abatement of all accrued taxes not sold at tax sale. Hughes will have salvage rights to the home and contents through July 2, 2017 and salvage rights to the garage through September 01, 2017. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-61 Resolution approving purchase of home at 224 N. Chestnut Street and authorizing City Administrator to Close R. E. Transaction, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken moved to approve Resolution #17-62 Approving Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Pay Request related to Main Street Manhole replacement project in the amount of $94,687.59, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-63 Approving Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Pay Request related to Main Street Sewer Main Repair and Relocation project in the amount of $26,884.19, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-64 Resolution to approve Contract Amendment between City of Monticello and Snyder & Associates RE: 2017 Main Street H.M.A. Resurfacing Project, a/k/a Main Street Pavement Marking Project, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-65 Resolution to approve the purchase of 210 folding chairs and 3 chair racks from Welter Storage and Equipment Co., Inc., Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the City received 3 bids related to the Airport T-Hangar project. Herman and City Engineer recommended the bid be awarded to Schaus-Vorhies Contracting, Inc. to construct the Ten-T Hangar, as opposed to the Eight-T Hangar, and to forego the concrete work between the existing and planned Ten-T Hangars, in the amount of $656,736.80. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-66 Resolution Accepting bids related to 2017 Monticello Regional Airport Tee-Hangar Project and awarding project to Schaus – Vorhies Contracting, Inc., contingent upon FAA Funding Approval, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed two requests for a credit related to excess sewer fees associated with the property located at 525 S. Maple Street, a duplex located on an R-1 zoned lot. The upstairs unit apparently had a stool running that created excess water and sewage usage leading to a much higher than normal bill. Because the property was plumbed incorrectly, all water that went to the upstairs unit first flowed through the downstairs unit, thereby creating a large bill for the downstairs tenant as well. The City understands that the landlord, Steve Intlekofer, has since hired a plumber to correct the plumbing issue. All water went through the sewer system which makes it ineligible for a sewer credit under the current City policy. The Council suggested that it would be appropriate for the downstairs tenant to seek reimbursement from the landlord for any excess water usage due to the improper plumbing. Goedken moved to deny Resolution #17-67 to approve the request for sewer credits for 525 S Maple and 525½ S Maple Street, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous. Request for Credit denied.
Herman reviewed the request for a credit related to excess sewer fees associated with the property located at 925 Southaven Drive, where a pipe broke allowing water to leak into the earth under a garage floor slab. The leaking line was disconnected to avoid further leaking. Herman explained that the total amount of the credit was not yet known but would have to exceed $100 to be eligible. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-68 to approve the request for a sewer credit for 925 Southaven Drive if the amount of the credit exceeded $100.00 as required by City Policy, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman explained that the Jones County Engineer’s Office proposed that the City participate in a Crack Sealing and the Sealer/Binder application project on Hardscrabble Road. The County Engineer originally estimated the City share of the project to come in at $4,500 but later increased the City cost share estimate to $8,307.00. LaGrange obtained a bid to crack seal the City portion of the roadway from Kluesner Construction in the amount of $1,638, which included the County half of the centerline sealing. Council considered benefits of spreading crack sealing money over a wider number of locations. Wolken moved to approve Resolution #17-69 Resolution to approve Crack Sealing and Sealer /Binder application to Hardscrabble Road as joint project with Jones County, Russ seconded. Roll call vote, Wolken voted aye and Russ, Paulson, Lux and Yeoman voted nay, Goedken abstained being he is a County Employee. Motion failed.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-70 Scheduling Public Hearing on execution of Corrective Electric Line Easement adjacent to 224 N. Chestnut Street, Monticello, Iowa, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous. Hearing is set for June 19th at 6:00 PM.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-71 Resolution to approve Contract between City of Monticello and Eastern Iowa Excavating and Concrete, LLC in relation to the 2017 Main Street H.M.A. Resurfacing Project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken moved Ordinance #702 amending Chapter 165 Zoning Regulations, Monticello Code, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Accessory Building, Structures, and Uses, second reading and in title only, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved Ordinance #700 providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the 2017 Addition to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area, pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, third and final reading and in title only, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #703 amending Monticello Code of Ordinances, by Adding Chapter and section 165.48, related to Urban Chickens, first reading and in title only, Yeoman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the State Code was amended with regard to the use and sale of fireworks in Iowa. City may restrict use and sale of fireworks beyond restrictions of State Code or could follow State Code. Wolken introduced and moved Ordinance #704 amending City Code of Monticello, by repealing Chapter 41, Section 11, pertaining to Fireworks Permit, first reading and in title only, Russ seconded. Roll call unanimous. Intent of the Council is to follow State Code and consider further restrictions should it appear that further restrictions become necessary down the road.
Herman reported that Monticello Equipment Co., the John Deere dealership, is considering the addition of concrete off the end of their existing driveway into the right-of-way. Consensus of Council was that such a project would be permitted.
Herman reported having contact with Alliant Energy in regard to three recent lengthy outages in town and was told that they were all related to ITC upgrades. Herman also discussed the removal of old Alliant poles that had been replaced with new poles and some poles were removed late last week with more to be removed in the future.
Herman reported that there is one position open on the Tree Board and two openings on the ECIA Board that meets in Dubuque on a quarterly basis, with a focus on low-income housing needs and rental assistance.
Herman received a thank you letter from the Masons in regard to the City involvement in the Child ID Program held at the City Park.
Zwolinski reported that the 6th Street Ditch plans are 90% complete. The plans and specifications divide the project into 3 separate areas; East of Hwy 38; west side of Hwy 38 towards Chestnut and area by Chestnut Street. They will present additional plans and information at the next Council meeting
Chief Smith updated the Council on planned technology upgrades to records management system.
Wolken moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 7:54 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Dena Himes, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk