Regular Council Meeting – Official
May 15, 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 Casey Zwolinski, Police Chief Britt Smith and Ambulance Director C.J. Johnson. Council Member Rob Paulson was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
William Giegerich, 645 N Birch and Richard Tapia, 637 N Birch presented information on urban chickens and their desire to see the Council allow them in Monticello. Council agreed to consider a proposed ordinance at the next meeting.
Russ moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Himes opened the public hearing on the proposed budget amendment for fiscal year 2017. Herman reviewed proposed amendments. Johnson explained concerns related to low reimbursement rates and unpaid accounts. Herman and Johnson recently attended a meeting in West Branch with Iowa State Senators to discuss revenue concerns and the prospect of making EMS an essential service under the law. No public comments were received, and City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Mayor Himes closed the public hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-54 A resolution amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Himes opened the public hearing on proposed voluntary annexations. No public comments were received, and City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Mayor Himes closed the public hearing. Wolken moved to approve Resolution #17-55 Resolution Approving and Accepting the Voluntary Annexation of certain properties generally described as the Yousse property, Koob’s Garage property, City of Monticello Shop and Monticello Machine Shop, all of same adjourning the City of Monticello for at least fifty feet and not creating an island, as same is defined within Iowa Code §368.7(2), Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Himes opened the public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2017 Monticello Regional Airport Ten-T-Hangar Project. Herman explained that the project is eligible for a 90% FAA cost share, however, the FAA investment is capped at $600,000. No public comments were received, and City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Mayor Himes closed the public hearing. Lux moved to approve Resolution #17-56 Resolution to approve the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2017 Monticello Regional Airport Ten-T-Hangar Project, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Himes opened the public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 2017 Main Street H.M.A. Resurfacing Project. Herman reported that the project includes a 3” grinding and overlay of the street surface from South Street to 3rd Street and ADA sidewalk improvements at intersections. He also reported that the project will result in the conversion of all four lane portions of the project to three lanes which will require some modifications to the traffic light control heads. No public comments were received, and City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Mayor Himes closed the public hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-57 Resolution to approve the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and cost estimate Re: 2017 Main Street H.M.A. Resurfacing Project, and acknowledging the receipt of bids related thereto, awarding the project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder Eastern Iowa Excavating and Concrete, LLC, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-58 to approve naming the Private Drive serving Mike Kraus development as “Locust Court”, Goedken seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #17-59 reporting all employee wages for calendar year ending December 31, 2016, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Council previously authorized issuance of credit cards to the City Clerk, City Administrator, Police Chief, Library Director and Ambulance Director. Herman recommended that the Park and Recreation Director also be authorized to hold a credit card. All credit cards would have a limit of $2,500. Goedken moved to approve the acquisition of Credit Cards for various departments, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the City Code allows accessory structures to be built with a 3’ set back off of rear yard lines or alleyways where the rear yard abuts the alleyways; while requiring fences to be set back at least 5’ and questioned whether that made sense. Herman presented a proposed ordinance to increase the required setback for accessory buildings to 5’ where they abut an alleyway. Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance #702 amending Chapter 165 Zoning Regulations, Monticello Code, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Accessory Building, Structures, and Uses, first reading and in title only, Lux seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that the City Code needs to be updated to allow taxes in the 2017 addition to the Urban Renewal Area to be collected as TIF revenue. Goedken moved Ordinance #700 providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the 2017 Addition to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area, pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa, second reading and in title only, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman presented an Ordinance that reduces the rear yard setbacks where Industrial and Commercial properties abut one another. The Council previously passed the first reading of this Ordinance. Goedken moved to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings of an ordinance and that Ordinance #701 amending the Monticello Code of Ordinances, by amending Chapter 165.29, “Bulk Requirements”, be considered placed upon its final passage and adopted, Lux seconded. Roll call vote unanimous.
Herman discussed non-complaint fence issues at 503 and 505 S. Chestnut Street where the fences are both located in the City ROW. The Council expressed their opinion that both fences should be brought into compliance at this time. Herman and LaGrange will continue to work with the property owners to bring them into compliance.
Herman reported that there is one position open on the Tree Board.
Herman reported that the City may appoint two members to the ECIA Board. They meet in Dubuque quarterly and focus on low-income housing needs and rental assistance.
Herman reported that the Zephyr Aluminum bid to add glass to the northwest Berndes Center door, as opposed to replacing the existing door without glass, would increase their original bid in the approximate amount of $300.
Herman stated that Josh Iben has been working with the City on ideas for the fountain near the Aquatic Center. Herman will report back.
Herman stated that there were no new developments with the Al Hughes’ home that was damaged by fire. He will continue to update the City Council.
Herman provided the City Council with rental housing inspection rules, regulations, and forms utilized by Charles City for review.
Herman provided the Council with a report associated with the recently completed youth soccer season.
Herman reported on recent conversations with John Harms related to an agreement between the City and the Fair that requires the Fair to reimburse the City on some occasions where the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center is rented and the Berndes Center is not. Harms reported that the agreement results in approximately $500 to $600 per year being paid by the Fair to the City. Herman also reported that the recent agreement between the City and US Cellular, related to their installation of Small Cell Sites on the grounds of the City Park, in the Berndes Center, and on or within various Fair owned structures, will result in approximately $3,000 per year in rent to the City. Harms requested that in lieu of the Fair sharing some of the rent from US Cellular that the prior agreement associated with shared rent be eliminated. Consensus of the Council was to modify the agreement to eliminate the rent sharing requirement; with the City maintaining the receipt of all US Cellular rent related to the small cell sites and related equipment.
Herman reported that the County will be holding a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on May 17th at the Berndes Center to consider the re-zoning of various properties in the County.
Herman reported that Mike Deutmeyer proposes to donate engraving at the airport, with engraving on the back of the Weber Stone entry sign stating, “Have a Safe Flight” and engraving “Welcome to Monticello” on existing stone on the Terminal Building.
Zwolinski reported that they performed a final walk through on the E. South Street project and only a few items required follow up. Special assessments will be finalized upon project completion.
Zwolinski reported that the E. First Street Bridge project should be let for bids on June 20th.
Zwolinski reported that a pre-construction meeting related to the Water Tower Project was held on May 2nd. Contractor is planning to start around June 1st and has 90 working days to complete the project.
Smith discussed State changes to the Iowa fireworks laws and questioned if the Council wished to follow the State law or to maintain existing Ordinances. Consensus of the Council was to repeal the current ordinance and follow the State law.
Wolken moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 7:33 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Dena Himes, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk