Regular Council Meeting – Official
March 20, 2017
Community Media Center
6:00 P.M.
Mayor Dena Himes called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brian Wolken, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath and Police Chief Britt Smith. Council member Rob Paulson was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed invoices related to Tami Bartram’s party held on February 28th. Kim McQuillen reported that Park Board members collected funds amongst themselves to purchase Bartram a parting gift, not to cover the party expenses. McQuillen reported that the consensus of several Park Board members was to host the farewell party, but that there was no formal consideration or action by the Board. Council expressed their opinion that the proposed party and expenses should have been brought to the Council before proceeding. Yeoman moved to pay the party related invoices in the amount of $415.81, Goedken seconded. Roll call vote, Yeoman, Goedken, Lux, Wolken and Russ voted nay. Motion failed.
Herman reported that Steve Intlekofer requested the re-zoning of three properties: Lot located at SE corner of intersection of East Washington and South Cedar streets from C-1 to R2; 322 West 4th Street from R-1 to R-2; and 525 South Maple Street from R-1 to R-2. Planning and Zoning (P & Z) considered the request and by unanimous vote did not recommend the proposed changes. The P & Z did not object to the re-zoning of the Lot located at the SE corner of the intersection of East Washington and South Cedar streets from C-1 to R-1, but did not recommend R-2. Intlekofer was present and was amenable to the proposed R-1 designation for that lot. Wolken moved to approve Resolution #17-26 Scheduling Public Hearing on the Re-Zoning of Properties located at 322 W 4th Street, 525 S. Maple Street, and the corner of E. Washington and S. Cedar Streets, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous. Public hearing will be held on April 3, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reported that Mike Kraus proposed the re-zoning of the former IDOT building located at 410 E Oak Street. The property is zoned R-1, however it has always been used for commercial purposes. The P & Z Board recommends, by unanimous vote, that the zoning be changed. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-27 Scheduling Public Hearing on the Re-Zoning of Property located at 410 E Oak Street, seconded by Yeoman, roll call unanimous. Public hearing will be held on April 3, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reported that Parcels 2017-10 and 2017-11, located within the two-mile jurisdiction, were recommended for approval by the P & Z. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-28 Approving Plats of survey to Parcel 2017-10 and 2017-11, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman recommended that the Council proceed with the re-zoning of several parcels of property located within the City that he identified within the current zoning map as being zoned or labeled incorrectly and/or that otherwise, based upon current and likely future use, were not currently zoned correctly. The P & Z Board reviewed the proposed re-zoning and voted unanimously to recommend the approval of the proposed re-zoning. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-29 Scheduling Public Hearing on the Re-Zoning of various properties generally described as set forth within “Addendum A” attached hereto, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. Public hearing to be held on April 3, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reported that Orbis was considering a large warehouse addition. Doug Wortman, Orbis, presented a PowerPoint on the proposed plan. He advised that additional warehousing was a need and that it would also free up space in the current facility for additional manufacturing. Goedken moved to preliminarily approve the proposed Development Agreement between the City of Monticello and the Menasha Corporation, a/k/a Orbis and to approve Resolution #17-30 to fix a date of meeting at which it is proposed to approve a Development Agreement with Menasha Corp., d/b/a Orbis Manufacturing, including tax increment payments in an amount not to exceed $1,207,236. Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. Public hearing will be held on April 3, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reported that the Council would need to add Orbis to the current City Urban Renewal area prior to approving the proposed development agreement. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-31 approving 2017 Amendment Number 1 to the City of Monticello Urban Renewal Plan, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous. Public hearing will be held on April 3, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reviewed the proposed site plan of the Oak Street Condos. P & Z reviewed and recommended the approval of the site plan. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-32 to approve Oak Street Condos Site Plan, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the City staff has been working towards the annexation of the Yousse “Sign Shop” property. He reported that the Yousses had agreed to the terms and conditions of annexation and had signed a voluntary annexation agreement and an Application for Voluntary Annexation. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-33 Approving Voluntary Annexation Agreement and Application for Voluntary Annexation between the City of Monticello and Yousse, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution#17-34 to approve proposed storm water cost share agreement between The City of Monticello and Jerald and Sherry Behrends, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to table proposed resolution to approve proposed storm water cost share agreement with Theisen’s Inc, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported there is an open board position on Tree Board.
Herman reported that the Board of Adjustment (B.O.A.) had recently approved the variance request of Randy Steiner to erect a building on a private easement. The variance allows the construction although the lot does not have street frontage. Herman reported that variances such as this one, on this easement driveway, have been granted in the past. The Council was advised of their right to request that the B.O.A. reconsider the granting of said variance.
Herman reported that he received a request to limit parking on the east side of N. Maple Street between Cherry and 3rd Streets. The Council took no action on this report.
Herman and Smith reviewed a proposal to place yield signs at the intersection of N. Chestnut and W. 2nd Streets. Smith suggested that a policy or standard be created to direct which intersections in the community should be “controlled” by signage in some fashion. Council asked Smith to prepare a policy or recommendations related to signage at intersections for their consideration.
Herman advised that he had received complaints associated with the alleyway between S. Chestnut and Linden Streets from Buckeye to Varvel Street. The complaints were associated with cars that regularly parked in the alleyway right-of-way, shrubs that had overgrown into the right-of-way and that cause visibility issues, and significant traffic, particularly from the south. Joe Tubbs, 415 S. Chestnut and Clyde Zedick, 409 S. Chestnut expressed their concerns related to the narrow nature of the alleyway where the cars were parked and where the bushes overhung and/or were located in the right-of-way in addition to the high speed and regular traffic from the south. The Council also discussed complaints related to the fence installed by Dave Lumpa along the same alleyway, said fence being installed without a permit and being built, and later added onto, in the alleyway right-of-way. City staff and the Council heard suggestions to make the alleyway one-way, from north to south. The Council agreed to take that request under advisement and to seek additional input.
Herman reported that the Council, at their meeting of December 19, 2016, had given Dave Lumpa until the end of January 2017 to bring his house construction project into compliance with a building permit, which he applies for and is approved or in the alternative to pursue a variance. Herman informed the Council that neither of those options had been pursued by Lumpa, even though he and PW Director LaGrange had spoken to Lumpa on many occasions. Based thereon, Herman asked for direction from the Council, asking if he should give Lumpa any additional time to comply or if the Council wished him to proceed with enforcement action, seeking penalties and the removal of the portion of the structure that violates the code. The Council indicated that they were very clear with Lumpa in December and that he had ample time to comply and directed Herman to proceed with enforcement action.
Schwickerath reported the final plans for the 1st Street Bridge project had been submitted and that final contract papers were due by the end of April.
Herman suggested that the City consider removing excess dirt between the sidewalk and curb and gutter along the Main Street Project area where it had built up over the years, and to seed it down this spring when seeding is done on South Street project. Council thought this would be a good idea and directed staff to work in that direction.
Herman asked if the Council was prepared to proceed with the demolition of the small home the City purchased on N. Cedar Street as part of the 6th Street Ditch project. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with demolition of the home at this time allowing salvage rights to the successful bidder.
Herman explained that he had learned that some homeowner’s insurance policies specifically excludes coverage for damages caused by certain dog breeds.
Herman and the Council inspected a sample folding chair under consideration to replace the aged metal chairs in the Community Building. He also explained that the Parks Dpt. was inventorying all chairs and tables at the Berndes Center.
Wolken moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 7:45 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Dena Himes, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk