Regular Council Meeting
March 20, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor David Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Chris Lux, Candy Langerman, Wayne Peach, Brenda Hanken, Scott Brighton and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Park and Rec Director Jacob Oswald. 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.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda; Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Jones County Economic Director Derek Lumsden reviewed the Community Catalyst Building Remediation reimbursement request. Lumsden advised once City receives payment, they will pay the amount to Matt Kumley, less amount owed to the City. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-45 to approve final reimbursement for Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant available through the Iowa Economic Development Authority for improvements at 103 West Street. Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Brehm advised the Library Board moved to approve hiring a seasonal employee for up to 20 hours per week at $10.00 per hour. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-46 To Acknowledge the hiring of Monticello Library seasonal employee and setting wage, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken advised the request for Park and Recreation and Aquatic Coordinator is in addition to the three approved at the last Council meeting. When asked if the contract staff pay would be paid or offset by the increase in fees, Oswald advised as close as possible. Oswald stated they replaced the position of a fulltime pool manager with the Aquatic Coordinator, which would free up time for Kegan and him to work on the 30 new programs that were added including baseball, softball, T-ball, MYBSA and a new soccer program. Oswald stated they have over 90 volunteer coaches and several City staff members are attending training on how to expand the volunteer programming options. After a lengthy discussion, Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-47 Approving the hiring of Aquatics Coordinator and a Park and Recreation internship staff and setting wage. Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous, except Hanken who voted nay.
Goedken voiced concern on Oswald keeping all the tournament funds in the checking account. Oswald advised once the program is over, he intends to issue a check to the City for the balance in the account. Brighton moved Ordinance #759 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding New Section to Chapter 23, “Park and Recreation Board” Section 23.08 Accounting of Park and Recreation Checking Account, second reading in title only. Lux seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Monticello Main Street Director Brian Wolken advised he has been working with some downtown businesses to make the proposed changes to the City Code regarding signage in the downtown area. The changes would allow blade signs and luminated signs. The group has been looking at other community ordinances and working with a sign company from the Dubuque area. Brighton introduced and moved Ordinance #760 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding New Section to Chapter 180, “Signage Regulations”, Section 180.30 Special Sign Provisions for Buildings in the Main Street District, first reading in title only. Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported City engineers did a new survey of the Sixth Street ditch and will come back with an engineer agreement to begin plans for the ditch improvements.
Farnum advised the City Engineer will have an engineer agreement for the Chestnut Street Improvements at the April 3rd Council meeting.
Farnum stated he worked on a Community Funding opportunity/grant through Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ Office, with a very quick time frame to get submitted. He requested $970,000 for the Community Building Improvements.
Goedken stated the water/wastewater department lost another employee, who took a job in another City. He advised the Council needs to look at this position, as we get them trained and they move on.
Hinrichsen reported the Governor combined several departments and the Current Offset Program which is administrated through the Department of Administrative Services will be run by the Department of Revenue and called the Setoff program. She is following the changes and advised Council may be required to sign new agreements with the Department of Revenue to administer the program for the City.
Tjaden advised there is a high demand for water and wastewater licensed staff. He currently has three applicants and none are licensed.
Oswald advised Kegan was at a soccer meeting tonight. Baseball and softball will be starting up soon.
Brehm advised the Music and Melody program will be this week and several other programs will be held at the Library.
Brighton moved to go into a closed session to discuss a real estate transaction pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j), Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Council took a short break prior to going into the closed session at 7:12 PM.
Peach moved to go back into open session at 7:25 PM, Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to direct Farnum to proceed as discussed related to the purchase of the real estate, Langerman seconded, Roll call was unanimous.
Hanken moved to go into a closed session at 7:28 PM to discuss strategy with counsel in matters involving litigation pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c), Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to go back into open session at 7:41 PM, Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to direct Farnum to proceed as directed on the matters involving litigation, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Council held a budget work session, reviewing the changes with proposed budget and would like staff to look for cuts that could be made to the budget. Staff discussed changes to the budget with the loss of taxable valuation for Monticello.
Peach moved to adjourn at until 8:00 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer