Regular Council Meeting
November 18, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Ambulance Director Dawn Brus
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, adding HDR invoice for the Airport Master Plan in the amount of $1,657.00; Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore Street, thanked the teachers and students of Monticello for honoring the Veterans. He expressed his concerns that the cheap fittings were used and curb boxes will fill up with dirt and not work, causing issues in three locations.
Jeff Bauer, 734 Breckenridge Drive, inquired on the status Accent Construction lot behind his residence and has been for waiting for an update. Smith stated the lot is zoned M-1 – Light Industrial. Wolken stated the Council and staff have been looking into the situation and how the City Code affects the area. Bauer expressed his opinion that they are unable to use their back lot due to the mosquitos from the standing water on Accent’s lot. This is causing his property to devaluate. He voiced concerns on the motorcycle frame and other junk near the entrance gate. Goedken suggested that could belong to McDonough and not Accent.
Goedken moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public information meeting on proposed project to purchase a new ambulance with a USDA grant to fund a portion of the ambulance purchase. No public comments were received, and staff reported no oral or written comments were received. Wolken reported the estimated cost of a new ambulance is $210,000, with the proposed grant paying $110,000; City cost share of $75,000 and the MEMT (Ambulance volunteers) cost share of $25,000. Mayor Wolken closed the public information meeting and not action was taken.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-158 to approve standard Tax Abatement on Commercial Real Estate located at 712 John Drive, Monticello, Iowa, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reported that there has been issues with the Berndes Center HVAC equipment over the years and it has been determined the equipment was not properly installed when originally installed. Staff has tried to prepare plans and specifications, but more detailed plans are needed. Wolken stated the proposed agreement with MEP Engineers for services to prepare complete plans and specification s that may be used by the City to obtain bids to replace/ upgrade all HVAC equipment in the Berndes Center; MEP to answer questions during construction and to perform a final inspection of the project with a fixed fee of $4,800 with additional services to be invoiced per agreement. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-159 to approve agreement for Services between the City of Monticello and MEP Engineers related to preparation of Berndes Center HVAC Plans and Specifications, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Wolken reviewed annual TIF appropriations as set out in previously approved development agreements, as the following resolutions were reviewed and approved. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-160 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Innovative Ag. Services under Development Agreement dated February 15, 2010, Yeoman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-161 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, Langerman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-162 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Althoff Properties, LLC per Development Agreement dated April 18, 2011, Lux seconded; roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-163 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Cobblestone Inn & Suites (formerly known as Boulders Inn Monticello) under Development Agreement dated October 5, 2015; as amended November 20 2017, Goedken seconded; roll call unanimous, except Yeoman who abstained.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-164 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Robert “Bud” Johnson under the Development Agreement dated February 15, 2010, Lux seconded; roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-165 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Kardes Inc. per Development Agreement dated March 17, 2014, Langerman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-166 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to MC Industries under Development Agreement dated August 2, 2010, Goedken seconded; roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-167 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, Langerman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-168 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to B & J Hauling and Excavating, owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “B” per Development Agreement dated October 2, 2017, Yeoman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-169 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 unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-170 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, Langerman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-171 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mercy Care Management, Inc, per Development Agreement dated July 7, 2019, Langerman seconded; roll call unanimous.
Hinrichsen reviewed the proposed TIF certification for FY 2021 and staff recommended the certification of $600,000. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-172 Approving FY 2021 TIF Certification, Lux seconded; roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-173 approving the use of Tax Increment Financing receipts to cover a portion of the Professional Fees invoiced by PFM Financial Advisors (PFM), the City’s financial advisor, in relation to the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Bond Issue, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler updated the Council on the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project and reported the punch list has been prepared. Horsfield flushed out two water shut-offs. Horsfield plans to address a small curb replacement on 4th Street, this week or early next week. Engineer will work on finalizing project quantities with next pay request and then will prepare final assessment documents. City staff will install the remaining street signs once they are delivered. Council discussed that street lighting, which Alliant now wants about three times the amount they quoted, being the ground will be frozen when they bore the wiring. When asked what was decided on allowing trees to be planted on North Sycamore, Wolken stated Council is waiting for the Tree Board’s recommendation.
Wolken reported he was contacted by the Iowa’s Ride event planners to see if Monticello would consider being a host City, for the bike tour across Iowa. It will be held one week before RAGBRIA and they will travel east to west and estimating 5000 bikers. He received a letter of support from the Jones County Economic Development. He will continue to work with them and will report back to Council.
Langerman move to adjourn at 6:46 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk