Regular Council Meeting
March 6, 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, Police Chief Britt Smith, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water /Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Public Works Director Nick Kahler. 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.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda; Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement. Staff received no written comments. No oral or written comments were received. Mayor closed the Public Hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-37 taking additional action on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous, except Hanken who voted nay.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on Vacating a portion of the Cherry Street Right-of-Way. Staff received no written comments. No oral or written comments were received. Mayor closed the Public Hearing on Vacating a portion of the Cherry Street Right-of-Way.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-38 Vacating a portion of the Cherry Street Right-of-Way and transferring same to the adjacent property owner, Peach seconded. Farnum advised the adjacent property owner has been maintaining this lot for years, however City could not just give the property to them. Staff recommended Council collect between $100.00 and $1000.00 for the lot. Langerman amended her motion to approve Resolution #2023-38 Vacating a portion of the Cherry Street Right-of-Way and transferring same to the adjacent property owner, with a purchase price of $100.00, Lux seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Smith advised the Council approved the Communication Services Agreement that included the NetMotion user license fees, which Jones County has decided to remove from the agreement. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2023-39 Approving revised Agreement for Communication Services Between Jones County, Jones County Sheriff, and City of Monticello. Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Smith asked Council to recognize the promotion of Officer Brian Tate to Sergeant and approve the wage as established in the current employment agreement of $32.08/hour. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-40 to approve the Promotion of Officer Brian Tate to Sergeant and setting wage of Sergeant position. Peach seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton stated the Park and Recreation department will be doing the baseball and softball programs and tournaments, as MYBSA plans to disband. In order to get referees to work the tournaments, they need to be paid after the tournaments. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2023-41 Authorizing the Park & Recreation Director to Make Immediate Payments Prior to Council Approval, Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-42 Approving Petty Cash Limits for Aquatic Center, Library, Berndes Center, Youth & Adult Tournaments and City Hall. Hanken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2023-43 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2023-09 for Property located at 21464 River Road. Brighton seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Staff reported Senate File 181 (SF181) was signed into law by Governor Reynolds on February 20, 2023 and it was recommended to wait for the revised valuations before proceeding with the budget process. The signing of SF181 into law has affected the city budget process in a few ways. First is that the rollback on residential property is being lowered from 56.4919% to 54.6501%. This will result in a reduction in taxable valuation in the residential, commercial, industrial and railroad property classes. This means that the amount of property tax dollars that you can get at the same rate will be lower than under the previous taxable valuation. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-44 to re-schedule budget Public Hearing on the City of Monticello 2023/2024 Fiscal Year budget for April 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Monticello Main Street Director, Brian Wolken reported he has been working with some downtown businesses and they would like to change the City Code regarding signage in the downtown area. They would like City to allow blade signs and luminated signs. The group has been looking at other community ordinances and a sign company from the Dubuque area. Frank Mere, Muddy Boots owner, advised that they are currently not allowed to install a blade sign. Peach advised if they are planning to allow LED lighted signs to be sure they are RF free. Wolken asked for Council to allow them to look at the changes and bring back their recommendations or proposed ordinance for the Council to consider. Brighton moved to allow Monticello Main Street to work on proposed changes to the City Code on signage and bring their proposed changes to the Council for review. Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton introduced and 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, first reading in title only. Lux seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the AWOS at the airport was hit by lighting but it is insured.
Farnum reported Mediacom is planning to have line removed from the poles by Dollar Fresh by mid-May and then Alliant will remove the poles. Once the poles are removed Dollar Fresh can finish the landscaping.
Farnum advised all the equipment except for the DVD taping is in for the stop light at First and Main Street intersection. Kahler has directed the electrician to start the wiring and cable installation.
Farnum advised City staff and attorney continue to work with the insurance company of the person that hit the stop light at Oak and Main Street intersection.
Farnum stated he received an email this evening from the DNR approving the plans for the wastewater treatment facility. He will send that to the USDA and wait for their approval to go out for bids. USDA is waiting on attorney to return some papers also.
Farnum continues to work on various other projects.
Hinrichsen reported spending a lot of time working on the budget and the changes made with SF181 being signed by the Governor.
Brehm updated Council on several activities going on at the Library in the next two weeks, which will be busy with school spring break.
Council held a budget work session, reviewing the changes with proposed bond issue, proposed new full time staff members for Public Works and Water/Sewer departments were removed from the budget. Park Department moved part the full-time staff pay to contract staffing and deleted the rest from the budget. Staff discussed changes to the budget with passage of SF181 legislation and the loss of taxable valuation for Monticello.
Council took a short break until 7:15 P.M. Lux moved to go into a closed session to discuss strategy with counsel in matters involving litigation pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c), Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Peach moved to go back into open session, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous. No action was taken.
Peach moved to adjourn at until 8:07 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer