Regular Council Meeting
November 18, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach and Councilmembers Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, and Jake Ellwood met at the Monticello Police Department and EMS Facility located at 201 East South Street to tour prior to the Council meeting. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, Ambulance Director Lori Lynch and Police Chief Britt Smith. No action was taken.
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Josh Brenneman, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, Scott Brighton and Jake Ellwood. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Library Director Faith Brehm, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/Wastewater Supt. Jim Tjaden, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Ambulance Director Lori Lynch and Police Chief Britt Smith 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.
Phelan moved to approve the agenda, Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve the consent agenda; Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2024-162 Approving FY 2023-2024 Street Finance Report. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-163 authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement, providing for the placement and issuance of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Notes, Series 2024 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen handed out the updated list of TIF Development Agreement amounts, and requested Council approve the amounts on that list when approving the resolutions, as the updated amounts were received this afternoon. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-164 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Kardes Inc. per Development Agreement dated March 17, 2014. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2024-165 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mike Beck and Ken McDermott, known as Royal Flush Truck Wash, Inc per Development Agreement, dated March 17, 2014, and as amended, dated June 3, 2019. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-166 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Cobblestone Inn & Suites (formerly known as Boulders Inn Monticello) under the Development Agreement dated October 5, 2015; as amended November 20, 2017. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-167 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Orbis Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation per Development Agreement dated April 3, 2017, as amended by Resolution #19-27, dated April 15, 2019. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-168 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Lauren Welter, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “A” per Development Agreement dated October 2, 2017. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2024-169 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Paige Jacobs, LLC, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “B” per Development Agreement dated October 2, 2017. Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-170 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Njs LLC, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “C” per Development Agreement dated October 2, 2017. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-171 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mercy Care Management, Inc per Development Agreement, dated July 7, 2019. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2024-172 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to McMATT Properties per Development Agreement, dated June 21, 2021. Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-173 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to BR3 Development LLC per Development Agreement, dated March 1, 2021. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2024-174 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Frontier Warehousing and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets, Inc dba Oak Street Manufacturing per Development Agreement, dated January 3, 2022, as amended November 7, 2022. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-175 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Theisen Real Estate LLC per Development Agreement, dated September 15, 2023. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-176 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Manternach Custom Creations per Development Agreement, dated September 6, 2022. Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the updated amount to be certified to the County to cover the revised amounts for the Development Agreements is $785,000. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-177 Approving FY 2026 TIF Certification. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kahler reviewed his request to replace the Skid Loader and to purchase a Mini Excavator for Public Works. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2024-178 Approving Purchase of Skid Loader and Mini Excavator from Kromminga Motors. Brenneman seconded, roll call vote was: Ayes: Langerman, Brenneman and Brighton. Nays: Ellwood, Goedken and Phelan. Motion failed.
Kahler advised the Fire truck would be a pumper tanker. Farnum advised if the City purchased the truck with 50% down payment, they would give the City a discount of $20,934. They are looking at the chassis being a year in production and the fire equipment would be another year or more. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-179 Accepting bids related to Fire Truck purchase and to approve purchase of Fire Truck from Toyne, Inc. Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-180 Approving the hiring of a Monticello Ambulance Part-Time Paramedic and setting wage. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the City Attorney has reviewed the proposed lease and the Airport Board recommended approval of the proposed lease, for the month-to-month rental of hangar space. Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2024-181 Adopting “Standard” Airport Hangar Month-to-Month Lease for the Monticello Regional Airport (City of Monticello). Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Oswald reviewed his proposal to create a 32 hour/week position to run the Adult Recreation and Events activities. After much discussion, Brighton moved to table action on the Creation of a Monticello Park and Recreation Adult Recreation and Events Coordinator Position. Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised funds for the Holiday lights were all fundraised for the purchase of lights. Goedken moved to approve purchase of updated Holiday Lights for community display, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve closing City Hall the day after Thanksgiving, Ellwood seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #776 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding a New Chapter 126 Entitled “CONSUMABLE HEMP AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTSALES”, second reading in title only. Brenneman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Peach asked Council to consider two questions: 1) Why increase the number of homes in Monticello? and 2) Why would someone want to move to Monticello? Peach felt while working on the budget the Council should ask themselves these two questions.
Farnum reported the Community Heart & Soul program held a meeting and did a recap of accomplishments. Most of the tasks, if not all, have been completed. They are looking at doing a Heart & Soul – Part 2 program to look at what accomplishments they would like to work on.
Farnum is working with school on plans for Carpenter and Shannon schools, once the new grade school is completed. Farnum reported Northridge development is moving along.
Tjaden reported that the lead survey was submitted in October 2024. They sent out 440 letters to people who did not answer the survey and 6 letters to the homes with lead lines, as required by the DNR and EPA. These letters are required to be sent yearly until it is confirmed there are no lead lines or the existing lead lines are replaced.
Oswald reported having a large turnout for the bike park area cleanup. He wanted to thank Randy Mueller for donating the use of his chipper, as they were able to get much more cleanup done. Oswald advised they have received a Jones County Foundation Grant for the Bike Park.
Oswald stated he is looking for volunteers to help with the Holiday on 1st event. Oswald stated County Conservation has offered to do the trail seeding, which should be done soon.
Brehm advised that the Library is working with the Heritage Center with the traveling Smithsonian display the Heritage Center currently has.
Lynch reported doing interviews for the Full-time paramedic position and hoping to hire soon.
Hinrichsen reported that Sue Russ has applied for grants for the Fire Department and they were awarded the Theisen and the Community Foundation grants to purchase radios.
Kahler advised they will continue to pick up leaves, weather permitting.
Council held a work session on the budget timeline. No action was taken.
Brighton moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer