Regular Council Meeting
November 20, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor David Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Candy Langerman, Wayne Peach, Scott Brighton, Chris Lux, Tom Yeoman and Brenda Hanken. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm, Ambulance Director Lori Lynch, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden 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.
A Moment of Silence was observed in memory of Aaron McAtee.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum announced that bids for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project had been received on October 24, with four bids received. The low bidder was Bill Bruce Builders, Inc from Eldridge, Iowa with the amount of $23,448,000. The other bids were: WRH, Inc from Amana – $24,490,000; Tricon General Contractors from Dubuque – $25,200,000; and Portzen Construction Inc from Dubuque – $25,449,000. Langerman moved that the Council consider the aforementioned bids, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous. Farnum advised the City is waiting for the USDA to review the bids and authorize the City to move forward with the process, and officially accepting the bids. Langerman moved to table this item to December 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Monticello Renaissance Center and will further consider such proposals at that time. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised on September 18th, Council directed City Administrator to purchase Mike First’s home at 14432 -190th Street, after the closed session. The purchase of this property is eligible for FAA funding at 90%, with a 10% local match. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-168 Approving purchase of home at 14432 190th Street and authorizing City Administrator to Close Real Estate Transaction, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous. Farnum advised there is a shared well with neighboring property owner Mike First. A part of the condition of purchasing is that First will own and maintain the well, and provide the water to the City at no cost, in exchange for First’s use of the 2-car detached garage at no cost. These terms require formal action by the City at the next Council meeting. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-169 Scheduling Public Hearing on proposed Lease Agreement and Shared Well Agreement pertaining to property at 14432 190th Street for December 4, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised a condition of the USDA funding for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project is that a resident inspector representing the City be on-site daily for supervision of construction. Since the construction timeframe was extended from 730 days to 915 days, the proposed amendment included $49,300 lump-sum for the additional contract administration for amending and re-bidding the project and estimated $150,000 for the additional on-site inspection time. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-170 to approve Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between City of Monticello and Snyder & Associates related to Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised Council directed staff to purchase portions of the Rowland Trust and the home on 190th Street for future airport use. These purchases are eligible for 90% reimbursement through FAA funding for airport improvements. However, the funds are not readily available and has to be drawn down in future years. A solution is to arrange an internal loan from other cash in City funds, to purchase the property with cash we have on hand, which will be paid back, with interest, by the FAA reimbursements. The expansion is in the airport’s 5-year plan. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-171 Approving internal loan from various City Funds to Capital Improvements fund, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported in 2020 the US Congress passed post-COVID fiscal recovery funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program (SLFRF). The funds must be allocated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026. Council originally earmarked the funds towards the wastewater treatment facility; however, USDA financing does not allow co-mingling of federal funding sources. To clear up the bookwork, it seems easiest to allocate the funds to some eligible projects and reimburse the general fund for those expenses. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-172 Approving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Allocation, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-173 Approving Purchase of “2023 GEHL ALT950 loader” from Kromminga Motors, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-174 Scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello 2023/2024 Fiscal Year budget amendments for December 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum updated Council on Chestnut Street Project and the Water Tower Repainting Project. Council needs to decide on the logo at the next meeting.
Farnum stated the Community suffered a tragedy on November 7th. He was thankful for the community support of the family. The Public Responders did an amazing job that day and thanked them for all they did..
Goedken questioned if the company taking down trees would be willing to take more down. Kahler will check with them.
Goedken stated with the election he would like department heads to be prepared to review budgets line by line
Brehm stated the intern is doing a great job and they are working on Holiday on 1st activities.
Lynch reported having 49 calls, with 37 being treated. They received a Community Foundation Grant for $1,600 for 2- children’s restraints (like car seats) for the cots and 2- dopplers. MEMT will pay the difference of around $400.
Hinrichsen advised finalizing paperwork for the bond issue and audit. Also filed the TIF certification with the County Auditor.
Kahler stated the leaf pickup in finished for the year. Leaf vac bearings went out and they will be replacing. Crack filling is completed. Dump Truck chassis is in at Henderson in Manchester getting the box installed and should have it by end of December.
Smith reported that the traffic light at Oak & Main Streets is having communication issues with the camera. General Traffic is working to fix the issue. DOT requires the traffic light, so can’t remove it.
Smith reported that he ordered the squad car in November 2022 and it had a June 2023 delivery date. Now they are saying the earliest delivery date is May or June of 2024. He located a car at Carl’s Chevrolet for $6,000 less than the car he had ordered. Consensus of the council was to authorize Smith to order the car, with the formal resolution on the next agenda.
Peach moved; Yeoman seconded to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(j) to discuss the purchase of real estate where the premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the City would have to pay for said property. Roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved; Peach seconded to return to open session. Roll call unanimous.
Brighton moved, Langerman seconded directing City Administrator to proceed with the purchase of Real Estate as discussed and directed during closed session. Roll call vote unanimous.
Langerman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer