Regular Council Meeting
May 16, 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, Brenda Hanken and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and Police Chief Britt Smith. Council member Scott Brighton and Public Works Director Nick Kahler arrived during meeting. 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, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. Council member Brighton arrived.
Mayor Goedken moved to open the Public Hearing on Amendment of the Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. There were non written or oral comments. Mayor Goedken closed the Public Hearing on Amendment of the Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Goedken asked for a few clarifications on the proposed amendments. Langerman moved approve Resolution #2022-68 amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
University of Iowa students Chuck Smith, Lara Gavin and Grant Hemphill gave a presentation on wetland restoration and trail design, which funded through the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Agency. Their plan included Riverside Gardens and the open space donated to the City behind Dollar Fresh. They pointed out some concerns with the storm water outlets near Riverside Gardens and Kitty Creek. They recommended removing most of the concrete swale along Business Hwy 151 and replace it with a CRP mix of native plantings or butterfly garden plantings to help control the water flow. The pond near Dollar Fresh has no drainage, so water gets stale and will be prone for algae growth and mosquitos. Their design included 10-foot-wide trail, as Iowa DOT 12B-1 recommends. They put together a wetland’s maintenance guide for future wetland maintenance. The estimated cost for the Riverside was $185,000 and the 12-acre site by Dollar Fresh was $260,000. The design was prepared, so the work could be done in phases. No action was taken.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-69 Authorizing the City Clerk to make the Appropriate Transfers of Sums and Record the Same in the Appropriate Manner for FY 2022 for the City of Monticello, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-70 Approving Tammy Sutterman Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 510 North Sycamore Street, Monticello, Iowa, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-71 to affirm Council approval of the Preparation and Submission of Grant and/or loan Application with USDA to assist in the construction of the wastewater treatment facility, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reported the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy was awarded a three year, 1.7-million-dollar Federal Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) grant for innovative substance use disorder treatment from the U.S. Department of Justice. In November of 2020, Jones County was fortunate to be awarded as one of the three counties in Iowa to implement the COAP Diversion Program as a way to improve the ability to address the needs of people with substance abuse disorders who are involved in, or at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system. The program allows Law Enforcement officers within Jones County to offer individuals who are involved in synthetic drug use during the commission of a crime the opportunity to participate in substance abuse treatment program in lieu of incarceration. Since the implementation of the program, it has been identified that the position of a Law Enforcement Liaison is needed to facilitate the functions of the COAP grant and will perform a variety of functions. The position is a part-time/temporary position, which will last for the remaining duration of the grant period until September 30, 2023. The position will be approximately 8-10 hours per week with a maximum amount of 40 hours per month. The pay rate of the position was established at $25.00. The position must be added to one of the 3 law enforcement entities within Jones County. Officer Nicole Minnihan of the Anamosa Police Department was selected for this position. With Jones County being the grant administrator, the County Auditor has requested that this position not be added as an employee of Jones County due to the conflict of being the financial authority for disbursement of funds. The identified employee for the Liaison position is a current police officer with the City of Anamosa and any additional hours accrued by the employee must be paid at the officer’s overtime rate with the City of Anamosa. Therefore, Monticello was asked if this position could be added to the City of Monticello as it presents the least amount of conflict. All expenses associated with the addition of this position will be reimbursed by Jones County to the City of Monticello, which includes the $25.00 base rate, as well as the additional expenses such as IPERS, Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment for a total expense of $29.27 per hour. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-72 To approve the hiring of a Law Enforcement Liaison for the Jones County COAP Project, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-73 To Approve the hiring of two Public Works Department seasonal employees and one Parks and Recreation Department seasonal employee and setting wage, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Tjaden reported the IDOT contractor had issues with some manholes along the project. Contractor is looking at cost to line and/ or replace them.
Oswald thanked all the volunteers, including the school staff and students that helped with the Pickup Iowa Day today. He reported the E-Sports tournament went very well. Staff will begin to fill the swimming pool this week. They will be at full staff and the hours open will be Monday thru Friday from 1 PM to 7 PM and weekends from 1 PM to 5 PM, weather permitting. Oswald stated the Park Board is working on the Master Plan in house and are in the process of doing a survey now and encouraged everyone to fill one out.
Peach moved to adjourn at 7:12 PM and take a short recess before beginning the work session to review the job descriptions.
Council held the work session to review the job descriptions until 8:06 PM.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer