Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Wayne Peach, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Scott Brighton, Brenda Hanken and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, and Library Director Michelle Turnis. 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.
Yeoman moved to approve agenda, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Open Forum: Dave Lumpa, 410 S. Linden St., addressed Council on several issues with his main concern being the increase of his water bill and he would like the bill prorated based on income
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Estimate of cost for the Construct Connector Taxiway Project for the City of Monticello Airport. No written or oral comments were received. Farnum stated the taxiway would open land for future hangars. Farnum stated the grants are due April 8th and bids would be due April 7th. The project would be paid with FAA AIP grant, Iowa DOT grant and local match with an estimated cost of $860,121. Airport Board is considering a bid option to complete some work that is not required by FAA. Staff is looking into funding options to cover the additional costs. Matt Wilke, HDR Engineer was present on Zoom. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution 2022-37 Approving Plans and Specifications and Engineer’s cost estimate for the Monticello Regional Airport for the Construct Connector Taxiway Project and Apron Taxilane Extension, AIP Project 3-19-0061-12-2022, Peach seconded. Roll call unanimous except Hanken who voted nay as she wanted a clarification what is “desirable” items on the bid option and to be sure Council would approve the bids prior to the work being completed. Farnum stated “desirable” items are enhancements to the project that would make the project better, like widening the concrete for turning radius. The bids will be on the April 7, 2022 Special Council meeting being set later on the agenda for approval.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2022/2023 City of Monticello Budget. Staff received no written comments. Staff received a records request for last 5 years for budget details from Mary Phelan, 1040 Riverview Court and met with her to answer her questions. Phelan thanked Farnum and Hinrichsen for promptly gathering the information she requested and meeting with her. Phelan stated in the last 5 years the City spent more than the original certified budget. She voiced concern on the changes in the Parks Department, where 5 years ago it was run with one person and $300,000 budget and now has two fulltime staff and increased their budget. She felt spending $30,000 on a Park Comprehensive Plan should be looked at and not done at this time. She felt City should be keeping track of actual spending versus what is committed to be spent. Tom Osborne, 630 South Sycamore stated the tax rate for Monticello has stayed consistent since 2007. Farnum clarified the number on the budget forms that Osborne questioned, which were related to amendments and Internal and Custodial Funds. Farnum stated the budget is balanced. He stated there is no new debt in this budget, as staff continues to work on debt planning for the sewer plant upgrades that are required by the DNR and EPA. Mayor Goedken closed the hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget. Council discussed possibly hiring of a third full time staff member in the Park’s Department, which would be shared with other departments as needed. Goedken and Hanken requested the proposed full time staff amount be removed from the budget or Hanken would not vote to approve the budget and Goedken would not sign the budget. Farnum stated the Council would need to approve the position, job description and wage prior to hiring the person. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-38 Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous, except Hanken who voted nay as the budget was not lowered.
Fire Chief Joe Bayne updated Council on the proposal to order the radios to be paid next fiscal year to become compliant with the State mandated P25 communication suite radios. Department currently has some of the P25 radio/pagers. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2022-39 Approving purchase of Fire Department P25 communication suite compliant radios and pagers, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Hinrichsen reported the Department of Justice notified of a tobacco violation and either the City can pursue the penalty or leave it to the Attorney General. City has pursued these in the past and keeps the fines that they pursue. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-40 Approving Settlement Agreement related to tobacco sale violation at Kardes 151, Brighton seconded roll call unanimous.
Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-41 To waive portion of Sewer bill related to water usage at 100 West Seventh Street, Monticello, Iowa, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised the USDA Rural Development financing option requires a public hearing prior to the submittal deadline of March 31st, which would allow the City to lock in current finance rates prior to an adjustment anticipated on April 1st. Brighton moved to schedule a Special Council Meeting for a Public Hearing on USDA financing for March 28, 2022 at 5:30 pm., Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported the need to schedule a Special Council Meeting for the Airport Connector Taxiway Project on April 7th, the day the bids are due. Bids must be submitted on April 8th to the FAA for grant approval. Peach moved to schedule a Special Council Meeting to consider/ approve bids for the Airport Apron and Taxiway Extension for April 7, 2022 at 5:30 pm., Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum updated Council on the sewer plant financing progress, incident with Alliant at the sewage plant, and the Airport DBE was approved by FAA.
Smith reported the County EMS Board will make their presentation to the County Board of Supervisors on the new tax proposal and who will be representing each Ambulance Service in the County, with each having two appointments on the County EMS Advisory Board. Smith stated that he and Chris Lux would serve on the Advisory Board for Monticello. The Advisory Board will review each ambulance service’s budget and make recommendations of the taxable rate to the County Supervisors.
Smith reported he is accepting applications for the Paramedic position. He is also looking for on-call staff and he is looking at possibly hiring nurses in the area.
Oswald reported Tree Board is looking into the Emerald Ash Bore that entered the County in 2014. Monticello has an estimated 344 Ash trees in the ROW or on City property. They have started to remove the worst of these trees at this time and they are hoping to remove approximately 30 trees a year.
Turnis reported on Library and Park spring break activity held at the Berndes Center, with 30 kids in attendance. Other events held included the Irish tunes and dancers and other local musicians.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer