Regular Council Meeting
March 1, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Brenda Hanken and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russ Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Police Chief Britt Smith, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. Council member Scott Brighton was absent. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, with limited seating or to 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 via Zoom.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Stephen Intlekofer, 529 W First Street advised City of Sigourney received funding to make improvements to the downtown building facades and felt this is something the City should look into.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on proposed BR3 Development Agreement. Hinrichsen received no oral or written comments. Hinrichsen pointed out a typo on page 5 that states there are five payments and it should read six grant payments. Goedken stated the tax abatement is tax dollars that would not be collected if the building was not built. Ryan Fitzpatrick, broker for BR3 Development, and developer Brian Ridge advised the grocery store will be built on 6 acres and will donate about 11 acres back to the City to be used for greenspace and trail. Wolken stated City will not abate 100% of taxes paid and only 100% of the tax increment, with the rebate payment not to exceed $715,050 and $120,000 in grant payments, for a total not to exceed $835,050 over 15 years. The developers will need to demolish the current building prior to constructing the new building. Ridge announced Dollar Fresh, a HyVee brand store, will occupy the building. Mayor closed the Public Hearing on proposed BR3 Development Agreement. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-28 Approving BR3 Development LLC Development Agreement. Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed designation of expanded Urban Renewal Area and Amended Monticello Urban Renewal Plan, finding that certain property is blighted and/or prime for Economic Development. Hinrichsen received no oral or written comments. Hinrichsen stated letters were sent to Monticello Schools and Jones County and no comments were received. P & Z Board reviewed and recommended approval. Mayor closed the Public Hearing on the proposed designation of expanded Urban Renewal Area and Amended Monticello Urban Renewal Plan, finding that certain property is blighted and/or prime for Economic Development. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-29 To Approve Amendment to Urban Renewal Plan to include Development Agreement and Economic Incentives to BR3 Development LLC. Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved to approve Ordinance #740 providing for the Division of Taxes levied on Taxable Property in the 2021 Addition to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area, pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, first reading in title only. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement. Hinrichsen received no oral or written comments. This will be a zero-interest loan for the design and planning of the wastewater plant. Mayor closed the Public Hearing on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-30 taking additional action with respect to a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and authorizing, approving and securing the payment of a $595,000 Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement Anticipation Project Note (IFA Interim Loan and Disbursement Agreement). Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hinrichsen reported Council need to authorize individual to sign the USDA grant paperwork and pay request. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-35 authorizing the Mayor or City Clerk to sign all documents related to the USDA Rural Development Grant providing funding to assist with the Sixth Street Ditch Waterway Project. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reported City is in the 3rd year of the agreement for the School Resource Officer with the school. A new 2-year agreement has been drafted consistent with the conditions of the current agreement, with language added that in the event of a suspension of in-person learning greater than 10 consecutive calendar days, the school would be relieved of financial obligation at a per diem rate. The School Board approved the agreement in February. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-31 to approve the 28E Agreement with the Monticello Community School District for the School Resource Officer Position. Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Orbis is installing an additional water tower cooling system with a separate meter and the water will evaporate into the air and not enter the sanitary system. City previously approved granting an exemption with Orbis for their existing tower. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-32 Approving an Exemption from Payment of Sewer Rental Fees for Orbis, Division of Menasha. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Tjaden reviewed the proposed quotes for repairs to the existing sewer line on 7th Street and recommended replacing the sewer line. Schwickerath advised that typically a project like this would need DNR approval. Schwickerath explained the contractor installed 2 -45’s into the Seventh Street section of the North Sycamore Street project, as the Council was planning to replace utilities in that section of Seventh Street. After the bids were received, the Council opted out of the Seventh Street Project and it was overlooked that the 45’s were already installed. Schwickerath will look at the plans for the elevation of the line in the plans. Yeoman moved to table to allow City staff and engineer to review proposed plans, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken advised Northridge Estates original plat was designed with a cul-de-sac. The City had them change it because staff was not able to clean the cul-de-sacs as the equipment was too large. Kahler stated the equipment they have now allows them to clean the cul-de-sacs. P & Z Board met tonight and recommended approval of preliminary revised plat. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-33 to preliminarily approve the proposed amendment to the Northridge Addition development plan. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hinrichsen stated one proposal was received from Matthew Kumley for the property located at 103 West First Street and forwarded to the Council. She read the proposal. Derek Lumsden Jones County Economic Director reported the City received a Derelict Building Grant to remove asbestos in both sections of the building and to replace the roof on the north-south section in 2020. Lumsden has applied for a Catalyst Grant and the pre-application was approved to renovate not tear down the building. Yeoman advised he knew of someone who was interested in the property and would contact them. Council needs to make a decision at the March 15th meeting or will miss the final Catalyst grant deadline. Goedken moved to table action on preliminarily accepting proposal for 103 West First Street related to restoring/ making improvements and tentatively accept the RFP and possibly setting public hearing. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hinrichsen reported that while working on the legal descriptions for the TIF area near First Street and Main Street, this small lot was found. She contacted the Jones County staff for help to find the legal description for the 8½’ X 80’ lot and was advised this is an active roadway that was never vacated. They recommended that the lot be vacated. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-34 scheduling Public Hearing on proposed vacation of active road right of way generally described as -8½’ x 80’ portion of Locust St lying SEly of Ely ext of S ln OP Lot 51 & N of Energy Company Place Lot 1 for April 5, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Ordinance #739 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to “Library Board of Trustees”, second reading in title only. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum stated he was excited to start working in Monticello and thanked everyone for all the assistance to prepare him for this meeting.
Schwickerath reported Cody with Horsfield contacted him and advised they were waiting for more information on the service lines. Goedken stated Gaylen Kray now has a 2” gap in the sidewalk. Schwickerath felt the sidewalk will probably need to be replaced. Kray stated the sidewalk is also bad by Nick Zimmerman in the 400 block of North Sycamore Street.
Smith reviewed the ambulance summary report. He advised the Sidewalk Committee met and are working on 2 properties on North Maple Street. Smith advised the will be doing sidewalk inspections in Ward 3 this year, starting in May.
Smith advised the Townships have increased their funding for ambulance service. Smith stated the new work schedule on February 8th. The prior two year’s overtime was turned over to IPERS to calculate their portion.
Kahler stated the staff will begin street sweeping this week.
Wolken discussed SF 143 regarding taking decision away from City’s related to breed specific ban.
Hinrichsen reported IDOT will be releasing funds to the City for Road use funding related to COVID. Monticello will be receiving over $36,000. They will also be giving more funds to the airports and setting funds aside for trails.
Wolken discussed the ditch by Eleventh Street and he contacted Jones County to see if they would install the tube or help pay for the cost to install it.
Lumsden advised the State legislator’s Ways and Means Committee is looking to limit the TIF to 20 years which will hurt small cities like Monticello and recommended reaching out to the legislators.
Langerman moved to adjourn at 7:42 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk