Regular Council Meeting
November 7, 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, Library Director Michelle Turnis 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.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda; Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Goedken read Proclamation Declaring November 26, 2022, as Small Business Saturday.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-127 Approving FY 2021 – 2022 Annual Urban Renewal Report, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-128 Approving correction of typographical error in Frontier Warehousing and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets, Inc dba Oak Street Manufacturing Agreement, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Goedken voiced concerns if all the requirements of the Developer’s Agreement with Royal Flush are being met and discussed fines owed the City. Farnum advised there are multiple avenues the City can take to collect the fines. He has been in contact with Royal Flush’s owner and they intend to pay the fines once they get their rebate. Goedken questioned if City was obligated to pay the rebate. Farnum advised nothing in the Developer’s Agreement addresses the violations associated with the sewer plant, as these are addressed in the pretreatment agreement with Royal Flush. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-129 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 was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-130 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mercy Care Management, Inc per Development Agreement, dated July 7, 2019, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-131 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, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous, except Yeoman who abstained, as he is a shareholder.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-132 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Kardes Inc. per Development Agreement dated March 17, 2014, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-133 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, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-134 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, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-135 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, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-136 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, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-137 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to BR3 Development LLC per Development Agreement, dated March 1, 2021, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-138 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to McMATT Properties per Development Agreement, dated June 21, 2021, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen reported the amount should be $40,000 to cover the current year and next year’s grant payment. Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-139 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, with the $40,000 amount, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2022-140 Approving FY 2024 TIF Certification, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous. The TIF amount that will be certified is $550,000.
Goedken advised this was the truck discussed at the last meeting and is just the formal approval. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-141 To approve purchase of a Western Star Chassis from Truck Country, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised there was no intent to overspend on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project and to use the USDA grant and loan in the amount of $20,781,000 to fund. However, with a three-year construction schedule, it is hard to determine the total project cost. Once the construction process is started, the City can’t obtain GO Bonding to cover any unexpected costs without the passage of this resolution. There is no intent to use it at this time but it’s like an insurance policy, if needed. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2022-142 Related to the financing of a project proposed to be undertaken by the City of Monticello, Iowa; establishing compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Monticello Chamber of Commerce Director Bobby Krum presented a request to help promote tourism in Monticello and plans for their 100-year celebration. After much discussion, Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-143 Approving Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce Investment in the amount of $10,000 and directing City Administrator to work out the details with the Chamber, Peach seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken reported the staff voted down the union representation and requested setting up an ad-hoc committee to discuss raises, benefits and renewal of agreements. Yeoman moved to setup a Council ad-hoc committee to discuss raises, benefits and renewal of agreements, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. Brenda Hanken, Chris Lux, Wayne Peach and Dave Goedken agreed to serve on the committee with City Administrator.
Goedken advised the Jones County Transfer Station Board voted to raise the tipping fees from $55 to $65 per ton, starting January 1, 2023
Farnum stated he hoped the Council Chamber layout is more open and receptive to the public. Meetings are back on cable TV, and sound is better on Facebook and Zoom. Farnum thanked Smith for his work to get system updates finished.
Hinrichsen stated she has been working on the TIF items for tonight’s agenda and began the budget process with department heads.
Kahler advised they have been working on getting leaves picked up. He also reported the traffic light at Oak Street and Main Street intersection was recently hit, and are working to get parts to repair. The light will flash until they can get the parts. Staff is working with the insurance company, of the individual that hit the signal and the traffic control supplier.
Tjaden advised they are interviewing candidates for the Water/Wastewater position.
Turnis reported they are interviewing candidates for the Library Director. She also thanked all the volunteers in past years and advised this would be her last Council meeting.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 P.M.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer