March 28, 2022 – 5:30 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, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Police Chief Britt Smith. 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).
Yeoman moved to approve agenda, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on option of using the USDA Rural Development program as a financing tool for construction of the Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF). No written or oral comments were received. Farnum reported the Department of Natural Resources is implementing new Environmental Protection Agency requirements for nutrient removal in sewage processing facilities. As part of those mandates that have been handed down, the City of Monticello has been ordered by Iowa DNR to upgrade its WWTF to include nutrient removal. In order to accomplish the DNR mandate, the City must reconstruct a majority of its existing facility, at substantial cost. The Engineer’s estimate is $17,515,000.00 to complete the project. The terms of the USDA-RD financing include a 40-year amortization and an interest rate of only 1.25% (fixed). There is no obligation for the City to take this financing, and if the City does use this financing, it can be paid off early with no penalties. Submission of the application by March 31 will allow the City to lock in the 1.25% interest rate, again with no obligation to use or pursue this financing if a better option is available. Goedken closed the public hearing.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer