Regular Council Meeting – Official
March 18, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Police Chief Britt Smith. Council member Johnny Russ was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Steve Hanken, 823 S Main, questioned if City had plans for tree disposal site. Mayor advised City was looking at several sites for chipping and composting.
Goedken moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on proposed N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of costs. Hinrichsen reported no oral or written objections were received. Gaylen Kray, 634 N. Sycamore, questioned the need and cost for the decorative lighting versus Alliant poles and felt they should be removed from the project. When questioned, Schwickerath stated he was not sure what Alliant costs would be to replace the poles. Yeoman stated the proposed LED lights would use half the electricity and lines would be buried; as the current Alliant lights use more electricity and lines would remain above ground. Stu Gerdes, 615 N. Sycamore, questioned with the bid coming in under the engineer’s estimate if the assessment amounts would be lower and what the bid alternates included. Schwickerath reviewed how the assessments would be calculated at the end on the project and what the bid alternates included. Gerdes inquired if the project schedule included working on the entire street length or just sections at a time. Schwickerath stated that would be discussed at the pre-construction meeting. Goedken reported that 500 and 600 blocks of N. Sycamore sewer main was replaced in 1984 and may not need to be replaced. Kahler will contact Roto-Rooter to televise the sewer main. Bud Coyle, 515 N. Sycamore inquired if his sewer line would be replaced. Gerdes was concerned with a new street the speed of the cars would increase and felt some travel too fast already on Sycamore Street. Smith advised the police department would look into the speed after the project is completed. Mark Stoneking, 109 W. 7th, reported he worked with the crew that installed the sewer main in 1984 and explained the alignment issue. Stoneking stated they installed a 10 inch clay main and sewer lines were stubbed to the curb. Stoneking looked into the life expectancy of a clay main, which is 100 years. Wolken stated if Council changed the bid amount by more than 20%, the contractor could change the unit prices and Schwickerath agreed. Mayor closed the public hearing. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-33 Finally approving the North Sycamore Street Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimates and awarding the 2019 North Sycamore Street Reconstruction project to Horsfield Construction, Inc, including the three alternate bids, Paulson seconded. Roll call vote, Yeoman voted aye and Paulson, Lux, Goedken and Hanken voted nay. Motion failed.
Schwickerath recommended to proceed with televising the sewer main and then if decision is to remove the two blocks of sewer from the project; that be done by a change order. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-34 Finally approving the North Sycamore Street Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimates and awarding the 2019 North Sycamore Street Reconstruction project base bid to Horsfield Construction, Inc in the amount of $1,934,839.70 and to televise the sewer main, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-35 to award the 2019 North Sycamore Street Reconstruction project Bid Alternate #1 to Horsfield Construction, Inc in the amount of $16,347.00, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Council discussed various lighting options. Goedken wants to see a better cost estimate for lights if they stayed with Alliant. Goedken reported on S. Cedar project a shield was installed on the lights as they were too bright and shined in the homes. Schwickerath advised that the proposed lights included the shield. Schwickerath advised they would need to work with Alliant with the lights not replaced with the decorative lights and Alliant would decide if they wanted to replace poles or not. He advised the current plans call to remove overhead electric lines and to put everything underground. He reported 7 of the 13 lights in the project are from 1st to 4th Streets and if Council table action on Alternate Bid, the contractor may or may not hold the prices. Wolken stated City will need to work with Alliant to do the streetlights from 4th to 7th Street, if not included. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-36 to award the 2019 North Sycamore Street Reconstruction project Bid Alternate #2 to Horsfield Construction, Inc for the decorative lights from 1st to 4th Street and to have engineer negotiate price with contractor to remove the decorative lights from 4th to 7th Streets, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-37 to award the 2019 North Sycamore Street Reconstruction project Bid Alternate #3 to Horsfield Construction, Inc in the amount of $1.00, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Schwickerath reviewed the supplemental agreement related to their on-sight observation and management of the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction project. Wolken noted these engineering fees would be paid with bond proceeds. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-38 Approving supplemental Agreement for Additional Services #1 between Snyder & Associates and the City of Monticello related to Construction Services to be performed by Snyder & Associates during the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction project, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-39 Authorizing the City Clerk to Transfer funds budgeted to be transferred in the FY ’20 budget and to appropriately record same, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported the City purchased 103 W 1st Street for redevelopment/removal of derelict building. Hinrichsen advised this resolution would ask County to abate existing and accruing taxes. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-40 to request Abatement of accrued Property Taxes on property owned by the City of Monticello for public purposes within the City limits of the City of Monticello, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-41 Approving Jeff Hinrichs Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 942 Deer Run Drive, Monticello, Iowa, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-42 Reporting all employees’ wages for calendar year ending December 31, 2018, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken gave the City Administrator Doug Herman’s report in his absence. Herman has arranged to a structural inspection of the Compadres building by a structural engineer, which is set for April 10th.
Wolken reported two urinals in the Renaissance Center are being raised and appropriate backer boards installed.
Wolken stated there was another leak in the piping in ceiling of the Council Chambers, Next Generation was called and found another pinhole in the copper piping, which is likely coming from the water lines that was constantly recirculating with a psi provided by the recirculating pump almost 10 times more than it should have been.
Wolken reviewed the proposed drawing of the home to be built by Norm Zimmerman pursuant to the City Agreement on N Chestnut Street by no later than April 1st, with a closing on the lot by May 1st and construction commencement by May 1st. Zimmerman’s house plans will be on the next agenda for approval.
Wolken reported Herman is in contact with Bonding Attorney on bidding requirements for significant repairs or total reconstruction of 7th Street from Cedar Street to Maple Street and assessments to the property owners along 7th Street.
Wolken reported MYBSA has proposed changes to the current agreement with the City that are not necessarily agreeable to the City Parks Department. Herman will keep Council updated on the proposed changes.
Wolken reported the Berndes Center flooring is being redone this week and they are hoping to be finished with painting by Friday.
Kahler report the new backhoe was delivered and is working good. He plans to review the specs to see if a wet kit was to be included on the front and back.
The 6th Street Ditch Committee consisting of Wolken, Yeoman, Goedken and Lux agreed to meet with Herman on Wednesday April 3rd at 5:15 PM.
Wolken reviewed the changes of moving Jim Tjaden as Water/Wastewater Superintendent and Nick Kahler as Public Works Director/Street Superintendent. Herman is working on the job description for Kahler. These proposed changes and wages will be on the April Council agenda for consideration.
Wolken reported a developer is looking to install a Truck Wash on their property near the Kardes 151 Truck Stop but there are some treatment issues to be discussed.
Smith reviewed his report with the Council
Yeoman moved to go into closed session under §21.5(1)(j) of the Iowa Code “To discuss purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for the property”, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved, Hanken seconded to end the closed session and return to open session, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-43 directing the City Administrator to pursue the Purchase of Real Estate under the terms and provisions discussed during a Closed Session of this date as set forth within a Written Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance reviewed by the City Council, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to adjourn at 7:29 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk