Regular Council Meeting
November 21, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Dave Goedken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Brenda Hanken, Scott Brighton, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux, Wayne Peach and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Police Chief Britt Smith. 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 the agenda, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kim Brooks, Chair of the Library Board, reported the Board is currently interviewing candidates for the Library Director. Library Board is having a farewell reception for Library Director Michelle Turnis on December 1, 2022 from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda; Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Schwickerath reviewed the Change Order. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-144 Approving Change Order #7 in the increased amount of $24,051.05, submitted by Pirc- Tobin Construction, Inc. related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Schwickerath stated the pay request includes the final retainage. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-145 Approving final payment #7 to Pirc-Tobin Construction related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project in the amount of $10,776.74, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen stated just prior to the November 7th Council meeting, she received a petition requesting a change in the City Council representation to be elected at large instead of two at large and one from each of the four wards. State Code requires Council to call a special election to vote on this issue. The earliest date the Special Election can be held is March 2023. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-146 Calling a Special City Election, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Tjaden stated they interviewed candidates for the water/wastewater position and offered the position pending the pre-employment testing required. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-147 Approve the hiring of Water /Wastewater employee and setting wage, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Randall Rattenborg, surveyor with Burlington Group, stated the intent of the survey is to create boundaries as how they are being used as opposed to what the legal descriptions describe. It appears the boundaries between neighbors has historically been laid out from the center of the street surface of Laude Avenue and not from the platted street right of way. The platted street right of way locations for Laude Avenue, Chestnut Street, 6th Street, and Gill Street fit as platted. The revised divisions between property owners are using the distances described in the deeds from the centerline of the street surface of Laude Avenue. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-148 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcels 2022-56, 2022-57, 2022-58, 2022-59 and 2022-60, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported Steve Intlekofer submitted an updated plat with the easements added to the plat, as recommended by P & Z Board. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-149 Approving Preliminary & Final Plat of Wheels of Progress Subdivision, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported BR3 intends to transfer to the City the 12 acres of open and wooded area, as stated in their developer’s agreement. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-150 Approving and directing City Administrator to accept ownership of the Parcel ID 0222379010, by the acceptance of a Quit Claim Deed from BR3 Development LLC, and directing the City Clerk to see to the recordation of said Deed with the Jones County Recorder, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Allie Aschtgen, with Monticello Carpet & Interiors reviewed the shade proposal with Council. Langerman moved to approve proposal for blinds for the Community Building, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kahler reported the owner of 100 West Seventh Street applied for a fence permit. His neighbor to the west signed the acknowledgement, however the neighbor to the north refused to sign it. The permit stated if any neighbor refuses to sign, the building permit will be taken to Council for their consideration and Council can approve the permit or require owner to do a survey of the property. The refusing owner has 14 days to obtain their own survey if they disagree with the survey done by the owner. Hanken moved to directing the Public Works Director to contact the owner of 100 West Seventh Street and review the process required to complete the survey and other steps for the building permit for a fence located at that address, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kahler reported it could take another month to get the parts for the traffic light at First and Main Streets intersection and there is no time for parts needed for traffic signal located at Main and Oak Street that was hit with a grain auger.
Farnum reported for Park Director Jacob Oswald that Kegan Arduser will be running an eSports, Mario Kart Tournament on Wednesday, November 23rd for 2nd-4th grades starting at 9:00 AM; and 5th-7th grades starting at 1:00 PM. On Friday, November 25th, the 8th-12th grade tournament will be held starting at 10:00 AM. Registration fee is $5.
Farnum reported the Holiday on 1st celebration will be on December 10th from 4-7 PM, this will be a great event for all ages. Check out the Park’s Facebook page/event page for details.
Farnum reported Oswald received a Planting Hope grant with Trees Forever for $12,000, with no city match. This will allow City to purchase around 100 trees to begin replacing the Ash trees that were lost or that the City will be losing.
Farnum reported the Main Street Committee will be putting up the holiday lights within the downtown district on December 2nd. Anyone interested in helping should meet at Pocket Park at 7:30 AM.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:32 P.M.
Council held a work session on the Sixth Street ditch project to give engineer and staff direction on how to proceed with the ditch. Engineer and staff will proceed as directed to update the Sixth Street ditch plans, permit process and easements.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer