Regular Council Meeting
May 2, 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 and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, and Library Director Michelle Turnis. Council member Brenda Hanken, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald and Police Chief Britt Smith arrived during meeting. Council member Scott Brighton was absent. 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. Hanken arrived.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised Council had previously approved the annexation of Jellystone, however the required notice sent to the paper was not published, when intended. Notice was published giving public the proper notice prior to this meeting. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-61 Approving and Accepting the Voluntary Annexation of certain properties generally described as the Jellystone Campgrounds, adjoining the City of Monticello for at least fifty feet and not creating an island, as same is within Iowa Code §368.7(2). Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reviewed Plat of Survey for Parcel 2022-32, changing lot line between Lots 13 and 14 in Cedar View Estates, which is within the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction for subdivision reviews. Planning & Zoning reviewed and recommended approval. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-62 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2022-32 for Property at 21800 Cardinal Court, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reviewed Plat of Survey for Parcels 2022-34, 2022-35 and 2022-36 on Northridge Drive, west of Birch Street. Owner wishes to sell off two parcels of surplus land and has an interested buyer for the one lot. Planning & Zoning reviewed and recommended approval. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-63 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2022-34, 2022-35 and 2022-36, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reviewed the East 7th Street Utility Improvements Change Order #5 and Pay Request #2. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-64 Approving Change Order #5 in the decrease amount of ($7,391.00), submitted by Pirc-Tobin Construction, Inc. related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-65 Approving Pay Request #2 from Pirc-Tobin Construction, Inc. related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project in the amount of $219,784.65, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reviewed the sealcoat bid from L.L. Pelling. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-66 Approving contracting with LL Pelling Co. to complete various sealcoating projects, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reviewed issues with the storm drain intakes on Hwy 38 and the curb and gutter on West 5th Street and bid from Monk Construction to make repairs. Staff is meeting with IDOT regarding the Hwy 38 overlay project and will determine how to proceed after the meeting. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2022-67 Approving contracting with Steve Monk Construction Ltd to complete storm drain intake and curb and gutter repairs, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Barry reviewed the Change Order approved earlier and advised decrease was due to driveways and storm sewer not being disrupted. Contractor needs to run main across to Locust Street and connect to the 4-inch main. The roadway and water main are completed on 7th Street. Contractor is working on the sidewalks, service connections, and then will do the top soil and restoration. Project is on schedule.
Mayor Goedken reported the Community Building committee volunteers bid on the stage curtains from the Middle School and accepted them. They are working to hang them and possibly paint part of the stage walls.
Goedken questioned if the Park & Rec phone calls for Park & Rec Dept are forwarded to their cell phones, if no one is in the office to answer the phone. Oswald stated it was not set up that way now. Goedken received a call from a soccer coach that advised they called and didn’t hear back until the next day. Oswald stated they return calls as soon as possible. Goedken asked Oswald to place the phone service on the next Park & Rec Board agenda.
Farnum stated the Hwy 38 Pre-Con meeting with IDOT and contractors will be held at 8 AM on Tuesday morning. The IDOT will be resurfacing Hwy 38 in Monticello including Cedar Street from 11th Street to First Street, First Street from Cedar Street to Main Street and Oak Street from Main Street to the Airport, which will include curb replacement, handicapped ramps and grind and overlay of street and parking surfaces.
Farnum met with Rod Horsfield with Horsfield Construction, Kahler and Engineer Patrick Schwickerath to review issues on North Sycamore Street Project. They discussed sidewalk and drainage issues and how to resolve. Horsfield will put together a quote to correct the issues. City will check to be sure sidewalk was installed as they were designed.
Farnum is working on the Iowa Living Roadway grant for landscape along roadways.
Main Street Committee met with the State Rep last week and received a lot of input on the grant.
Farnum stated the wastewater treatment plant plans are about 90% complete. Changes had to be made to the plans to meet the USDA requirements regarding several issues like the flood plain requirements, where SFR loan uses the 100 year flood data and the USDA requires the 500 year flood data, which is a difference of about 3 feet. SRF loan has a higher interest rate but a short term and USDA loan has a lower interest rate and longer term. Council will need to determine which loan to go with, but the SRF loan would require a higher sewer rate than the USDA loan.
Farnum reported Maquoketa Watershed Project committee will be at the May 16th Council meeting to review draft plans for Riverside and area near Dollar Fresh. Council will need to decide how to proceed and/or make changes to the plans.
Tjaden reported two abandoned service lines were found on the 7th Street Project and they were removed prior to lining the main.
Oswald reported they still looking for more pool staff, especially lifeguards. Pool will open however depending on staffing, may need to adjust hours they are open.
Hanken stated she was asked what land and parcels the City was selling and that she was not aware of any. Farnum stated the only recent parcel was the property on Sycamore Street that the Council approved to sell to Dean Stevens. Farnum has given a draft agreement to Stevens for review.
Hanken questioned who is authorized to contact the City Attorney. Farnum stated everyone is to go through him with the exception of the Police Chief who is allowed to contact attorney regarding criminal matters. Hanken questioned if those were the only calls City is being billed for? Herman stated he has received random calls and he directs them to Farnum.
Peach moved to adjourn at 6:45 PM and take a short recess before beginning the work session to review the handbook.
Council held the work session to review the City Handbook until 7:33 PM.
Dave Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer