Regular Council Meeting
November 6, 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 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.
Langerman moved to approve the agenda, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor made proclamation declaring November 25, 2023 to be Small Business Saturday in Monticello, Iowa and urged residents of the community, and communities across the country, to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and Shop Small throughout the year.
Deb Bowman introduced the Monticello Main Street Board members and stated they had an eventful year. Quinn Behrends gave a PowerPoint presentation on Monticello Main Streets goals, activities and accomplishments. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-148Authorizing the Mayor to sign Main Street Iowa Program Continuation Agreement with Monticello Main Street and Iowa Economic Development Authority and the City of Monticello and further pledging continued support and participation in the Main Street Program, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor advised this is the second years’ pledge in the amount of $40,000 to Monticello Main Street. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-149 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Monticello Main Street Iowa Program Agreement, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-150 Approving FY 2022-2023 Street Finance Report, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor stated Hinrichsen handed out the updated figures after a correction in the formula for the next several resolutions for the annual appropriations for developer agreements. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-151 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Kardes Inc. per Development Agreement dated March 17, 2014, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-152 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, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-153 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, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-154 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.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-155 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, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-156 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.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-157 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mercy Care Management, Inc per Development Agreement, dated July 7, 2019, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-158 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to McMATT Properties per Development Agreement, dated June 21, 2021, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-159 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to BR3 Development LLC per Development Agreement, dated March 1, 2021, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2023-160 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, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2023-161 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Theisen Real Estate LLC per Development Agreement, dated September 15, 2023, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hanken questioned if Royal Flush paid their fines owed to the City. Hinrichsen advised per pretreatment agreement with City, DNR and Royal Flush, they owed over $40,000 to the City. State Auditors recommended staff contact bonding attorney on using the development agreement payments to pay their fines instead of Royal Flush. Hinrichsen recommended appropriating the funds, which would not be paid to them until the fines are paid, as we did last year. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-162 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, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2023-163 Approving FY 2025 TIF Certification, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the First Presbyterian Church suffered high water loss due to vandals that turned all the outdoor water spigots wide open several times over a weekend. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-164 Approving $152.91 Credit against First Presbyterian Church’s Utility billing for the property located at 211 West First Street, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised the bonding will be used for the Chestnut Street Project, Improvements on the Sixth Street ditch and the South water tower painting. Yeoman moved to approve
Resolution #2023-165 authorizing and approving a certain Loan Agreement, providing for the issuance of $2,350,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2023 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Library Board approved the placement of an intern with the Library from Advancement Services of Jones County’s Career Connection program. The intern would work a total of 60 hours and be paid through the Career Connection program. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2023-166 approving the hiring of a temporary library intern, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Peach moved to approve Resolution #2023-167 Approving the Plat of Parcel 2023-82, which is a portion of the Cherry Street Right-of-Way previously vacated by Resolution 2023-38, Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken reported the Living Roadway Trust Fund program Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management has been around for years. The program is nice for conservation but will take extra work. Farnum reported City staff will use this to maintain the ditches in town. Jacob Oswald took the initiative working on this program and plan. Brighton moved to approve the City of Monticello Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Plan and authorize Mayor and City Administrator to sign the plan and further authorizing Park Director to submit application to enter the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program. Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum advised Oswald worked with Theisens and Monticello Schools to relocate trees from the Middle School property recently purchased by Theisens to the Austin Smith Playground. Oswald is looking for someone to attempt to relocate a few more larger trees.
Farnum reported Theisens sold the former Family Foods Store, which they used for their gardens center, to a retail business.
Farnum reported bids for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project were received, with the low bid being $23,448,000, which is higher than the estimate but $2M lower than the last bids. USDA is reviewing the bids and funding. Bids approval will be on the next agenda. Mary Phelan, 1040 Riverview Court, questioned if it was a fixed contract or if it allows for change orders. Farnum stated it allows for change orders, which you run into with projects this large.
Farnum advised he will be doing a goal setting session with the Ambulance Service this week.
Farnum reported the south water tower televising went well. The interior needs some work, however the outside is in good shape and can be painted over. Council will need to make a decision on what they want to do regarding the logo.
Hinrichsen reported the FY 2023 audit is near completion. The final annual report for FY 2023 was approved this evening and will be filed with State.
Kahler reported the contractor started taking down the trees. Delivery of dump truck chassis was expected at end of October and he will have to check on the status. Once truck chassis is delivered to Hendersons it will take 30 to 40 days to get the box and equipment installed.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer