Regular Council Meeting
November 4, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach and Councilmembers Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, Scott Brighton, and Jake Ellwood met at the Monticello Aquatic Center located at 801 South Cedar Street to tour the facility and then went to the Park storage shed on East Grand to tour prior to the Council meeting. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. 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 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.
Brighton moved to approve the agenda, as amended; Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Phelan questioned where the Youth/Adult Tournament funds were transferred to. Hinrichsen advised it was transferred into the Tournament Fund. Phelan moved to approve the consent agenda; Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Black Hills Regional Director for East Iowa Jeff Staudenmaier introduced Operations Supervisor for Manchester District Patrick Vogler. They presented a donation of $2,000.00 for the Hwy 151 Trail Prairie Seeding to the City.
Mayor opened the public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement. No comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2024-160 taking additional action on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement. Brenneman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2024-161 Approving Adjusted Salary for the Recreation Coordinator, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken introduced and moved Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding a New Chapter 126 Entitled “CONSUMABLE HEMP AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTSALES”, first reading in title only. Ellwood seconded. Farnum advised the State Legislature is making changes on the marketing of these products. Farnum, along with Smith and Area Substance Abuse Council Project Coordinator Jennifer Husmann, recommends removing Section 126.06, which regulates minors/underage person entering or being on premise and the renumbering the following Sections of the ordinance, prior to first reading being approved. Goedken moved to amend proposed ordinance removing section 126.06 which regulates minors/underage person entering or being on premise and renumbering the following sections, Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Ellwood moved to approve 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”, first reading in title only, as amended. Brenneman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Peach advised that two council members approached him after the last Council meeting regarding his comments for voice votes and referenced using church system theories. He apologized for asking for voice votes and references of church theories. He doesn’t apologize for using system theories and/or system valuations, as that was what he has used at many places where he has presented including colleges and he received training on system theories while in college.
Peach also reminded the Council that only the City Administrator or the Mayor may contact or authorize someone to contact the City Attorney. He will be meeting with the City Attorney to review this with him and if attorney is contacted without prior permission, then that person will be responsible for the bill.
Farnum reported the budget rollback was released by the State and it is increasing from 46.3428% to 47.4316%. He attended a Risk Management training last Friday and it was a very good program. He thanked Nick Kahler and Zeb Bowser for painting flag pole by the Veteran’s Memorial behind City Hall. Airport Board meeting will be next week with the elections being tomorrow.
Oswald thanked all the volunteers that showed up to help with the trail cleanup last weekend. He advised that they will have another cleanup day for the area behind Dollar Fresh next weekend. He thanked Black Hills for their donation of $2,000 to purchase the Prairie Grass seeding for the Hwy 151 trail.
Brehm stated she attended a seminar on space saving and how to be better at marketing of materials. She reported there was a leak in the ceiling at the Library last week and Public Works came to look into it. She advised Kanapy is now live and they will be having a session this week.
Hinrichsen reported completing the Street Finance Report which will be on the next Council agenda. She is working on the TIF certification resolution for the next meeting also.
Kahler stated a sensor is not working for the downtown streetlights and is having someone look into this tomorrow. He advised they closed down a few streets to help Theisens move quicker. They continue to pickup leaves.
Smith advised there has been a slight up-tick of incidents recently.
Phelan moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:28 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer