Regular Council Meeting
May 6, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Jake Ellwood, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman and Mary Phelan. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, and City Engineers Patrick Schwickerath and Nick Eisenbacher. Council member Scott Brighton arrived shortly after the meeting began. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived later during the meeting. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Langerman moved to approve the agenda; Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Open Forum: Bud Coyle, 515 N Sycamore, discussed issues regarding the mowing at cemetery. Kahler advised Public Works has been helping with the mowing until the summer help is approved this evening.
Steve Hanken, 823 South Main Street, advised the creek, that runs under South Main Street south of the Aquatic Center, walls are caving in and are in need of repair. Farnum advised that the City has been working with engineers on a plan that the DNR and Corp of Engineers will approve, as well as the necessary permits that will be required to repair the creek walls.
Phelan moved to approve the consent agenda; Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Jackie Jacobs, 205 North Chestnut, read a letter to Council regarding her wish to keep the brick streets, which bring character to the neighborhood. She agreed the street was in need of repair but felt it was a travesty if the brick street was removed. She asked the council to reconsider putting the brick back in. Brighton arrived. Lisa Marie Eggers, 215 North Chestnut, stated the charm of the brick street and history of houses along the street is why they purchased their home. Eggers would like the bricks replaced, as it brings warmth and charm to the area. Mike Adams, 218 West 2nd Street, stated he would like the brick street also. Robert Bartz, 216 North Chestnut, stated the brick street was what drew them to this area. He asked the council to reconsider replacing the brick and the project came in under budget. Erich Eggers, 215 North Chestnut, stated his opposition with the Council decision to remove the brick street. He felt the bricks should be removed and repair the base and put the bricks back. Schwickerath advised the base bids came in under budget. Farnum stated the contract was ratified at the last Council meeting and the contractor is not willing to go back to the brick street at the bid prices. Jackie Jacobs stated the City makes amendments all the time. Ellwood moved to approve keeping the concrete street for the Chestnut Street Project. Motion died due to a lack of a second. Brighton moved to reconsiderBrick Paver decision on the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, Ellwood seconded. Roll call vote was all nays.
Jackie Jacobs, 205 North Chestnut, stated at the neighborhood meeting with engineer and Farnum, she discussed boring in front of her property. She questioned why they are boring in front of Joe and Jayne Tuetken’s home but not hers. The cost to bore the entire water line would be an additional $18,000.00. Farnum stated the water main is currently planned for construction six feet west of the curb line, which places it about two feet east of the trunks of the three maple trees in the terrace at 205 N. Chestnut. The water main can be moved another two feet easterly, which would place it 4 feet off the curb and four feet away from the trunk of the trees. This will move the trenching closer to the edge of the drip line. The water main cannot be moved any closer to the curb, as it violates the State engineering standards and future water main breaks could undermine the street. Brighton moved to approve boring of the entire water main on the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, seconded by Langerman. Roll call was all nays.
Farnum advised the public walk and the intersections by Jacobs’ property will be lowered nearly two feet to meet the requirements for public sidewalks. In order to minimize the extent of regrading and impact on the slope of the front yard, Jacobs have asked for a retaining wall and she reached out to All American Lawn and Landscape and received a bid of $6,000.00. Farnum advised this would be a city expense. Langerman moved to approve the quote of $6,000.00 from All American Lawn and Landscape to do the retaining wall at 205 N Chestnut, Brighton seconded. Roll call was: Ayes: Langerman, Brighton and Brenneman. Nays: Phelan, Ellwood and Goedken. Mayor Peach broke the tied vote and voted aye. Motion carried.
Farnum advised the City is providing a new tap into the new main, a new service stubbed to the sidewalk, and a new curb box. The contractor is then tying the existing home service pipes into the new curb boxes. When the initial plans were prepared for this project, the engineers did not find a water shut off for the Eggers property at 215 N. Chestnut, so a replacement tap and shut-off was not shown on the plans. This is because, as Mr. Eggers recently informed us, the water service for his property actually goes out the back, to Walnut Street. The City Engineer has added a new tap, stub, and curb box to the plans, and the additional cost to the City will be the unit prices for those three items. Mr. Eggers wants the City to run the line to his house, so if his water line from Walnut Street needs to be repaired or replaced, he could hook-up to the Chestnut Street water main. Goedken moved to approve the addition of a new water tap, service stub, and shut-off at the sidewalk for 215 N. Chestnut on the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve the installation of a new water service to the foundation at 215 N. Chestnut at City expense on the 2024 N. Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project, Goedken seconded. Roll call was all nays.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-72 Approving Change Order #1 and Change Order #2, in the increased amounts of $38,953.00 and $34,018.00 respectively, submitted by Tank Pro, Inc related to the South Water Tower Repainting and Maintenance Project. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-73 Approving Pay Request #1 to Tank Pro, Inc., Re: South Water Tower Repainting and Maintenance Project in the amount of $87,523.50. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2024-74 authorizing a Loan Agreement and providing for the issuance of a Sewer Revenue Loan Agreement Anticipation Project Note, Series 2024. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2024-75 Approving the hiring and wage for Public Works/Cemetery summer staff, Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024- 76 Approving contracting with LL Pelling Co. to complete various sealcoating projects, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Smith arrived.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-77 Approving Settlement Agreement related to tobacco sale violation at Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Kahler stated the ash trees on Cedar Street are being taken down and were not part of the trees that were bid. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-78 Accepting bid for Ash Tree Removal and awarding bid, Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2024-79 Authorizing the City Clerk to make the Appropriate Transfers of Sums and Record the Same in the Appropriate Manner for FY 2025 for the City of Monticello. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Eisenbacher reported while grading for the Biosolids Building at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, the builder found unsuitable materials, including concrete and trees. This change order amount includes moving the building about 50 feet to avoid the worst area; over-excavation of incompatible fill and poor soils; addition of structural fill; and redesign of the foundation, and addition of shoring trench supports for the extensive-depth excavation. The USDA approval is pending and they requested additional quotes on the shoring, which lowered the change order to a not to exceed amount of $833,332.30. Bruce Builders is requesting, assuming Council approval of change order by May 7, 2024, a 83 calendar day scheduled extension. Eisenbacher has requested that Central Excavating proposal give a breakdown by loads for the unsuitable and suitable material and the overall cost will be determined by what the quantities for these materials are known. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-80 Approving Change Order #1 in the increased not to exceed amount of $833,332.30 as submitted by Bill Bruce Builders related to the Monticello Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-81 Approving Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between City of Monticello and Snyder & Associates related to Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reviewed the proposed draft of the dwelling unit rental lease. Ellwood moved to table Approval of the Dwelling Unit Rental Agreement for the property at 14432 190th Street to the May 20th meeting, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to table resolution Adopting FY ’25 Salary for the non-hourly employees, until performance reviews are completed. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor recommended Council to view the State presentation of the results from the Monticello Main Street survey.
Farnum advised he was asked to be on committee to interview for the Chamber Director position.
Brehm gave an update on activities happening at the Library.
Kahler stated the Public Works staff will be working to get the cemetery mowing and trimming completed this week. They have been busy with tree removal, street sweeper and yard waste.
Smith stated that he turned the old squad car over to the Park & Rec Department.
Tjaden advised he received a quote from Pirc Tobin to repair the fire hydrant on Hillcrest, in the amount of $16,000. When main was installed, no shutoffs were installed, so they will need to shut down the entire street. They will be replacing both fire hydrants. Consensus of the Council was to have Tjaden direct Pirc Tobin to proceed and they would take formal action at the May 20th meeting.
Tjaden reported he is getting quotes to replace manholes by Washington and Chestnut streets and Grand and Maple Streets. This will be on the May 20th meeting for approval.
Farnum stated Ryan Evans, owner of the Blind Pig inquired about using some of the parking space in front of his business for outdoor seating. Smith advised the State regulates the driving portion for the Street, however the City regulates the parking portion of the street. State has requested to have the ability to review the proposed plan and give their recommendation, as this will help with their liability. No action was taken as Evans was not present.
Brenneman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer