Regular Council Meeting
November 4, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and City Engineer A J Barry. Council member Dave Goedken was absent. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived during meeting.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the Plat of Survey to Parcel 2019-62 was previously approved by Planning & Zoning and subsequent thereto a few changes were made to the survey, resulting in the Amended Plat of Survey to Parcel 2019-62. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-149 Approving Amended Plat of Survey to Parcel 2019-62, located in the two-mile jurisdiction of the City of Monticello, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-150 Approving FY 2018-2019 Annual Financial Report, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-151 Approving FY 2018-2019 Annual Urban Renewal Report, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Engineer has reviewed and recommended approval of Horsfield Pay Request #7. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-152 Approving Pay Request #7 from Horsfield Construction related to North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $187,369.45, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that two bids were receive for the 2012 International garbage truck with the high bid of $55,101, being received from Elliot Equipment. Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-153 Approving sale of City owned Garbage Truck, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived.
Herman reported Council previously approved submission of an USDA grant application related to the purchase of a new ambulance by motion and that the USDA has requested confirmation by way of a Resolution. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-154 to reaffirm Council approval of the Preparation and Submission of Grant Application with USDA to assist in the purchase of a new ambulance, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that a Public Information Meeting related to the USDA Grant Application is required. The grant application requests $110,000 towards the estimated total cost of $210,000 with the City cost share estimate to be $75,000 and the MEMT cost share to be $25,000. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-155 to schedule Public Information Meeting related to USDA Grant Application which seeks grant funds to assist with the purchase of a new Ambulance, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported on the current condition of the City owned property located at 103 W. 1st Street as reported by a structural engineer hired by the City. Recently, a section of the roof collapsed on the east section of the building. Derek Lumsden, Jones County Economic Development reported that there are many grants available to help cover the restoration costs, including the Catalyst Grant, DNR grants and the Downtown Housing Grant. Lumsden reported on a similar building project in a community he used to live in where the building was in as bad or worse condition, that was restored. Herman recommended that the Council obtain a demolition cost estimate as consideration of those costs would be important in future decision making. Herman received an estimate of approximately $3,000.00 to obtain a demolition estimate from the structural engineer who has already inspected the building with an estimate of $11,317.00 to put together demolition plans and specifications. Herman recommended that the Council begin with the cost estimate as it was not clear if the building would be demolished. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-156 to approve acquisition of Compadres Demolition Estimate, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that bricks were installed in front of Brian Monk’s project on West First Street and in front of the Community Building and Renaissance Center. Council has previously reviewed a Downtown Brick Paver policy which has not yet been adopted. Three property owners on West First Street are agreeable to the installation of bricks to replace the colored strip in their sidewalks, with the City paying for 1/3 of the cost of brick installation and all the costs of concrete removal, concrete cutting, subgrade, base grade preparation and bricks. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-157 to approve Downtown Brick installation cost share, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Barry updated the Council on the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project and reported the project is on schedule and will be completed prior to the November 21st completion date.
Derek Lumsden, Jones County Economic Development, updated the Council on the ongoing Downtown Assessment. The assessment team was in town last week and interviewed many residents and groups of people to assist them with the preparation of their final assessment report, that should be received in a few weeks.
Herman advised the City annual audit will start November 18, 2019. Herman reported with the new budget processes that the City will need to start the budget process sooner.
Herman updated the Council on Geo Thermal system issues in the Renaissance Building. Herman met with LADCO, the original installer of the system, and Mick Adams with Next Generation to inspect the system and to identify many components in need of maintenance and repair.
Council spent the remainder of the meeting reviewing Chapters 90 through 156 of the draft City Code of Ordinances.
Langerman move to adjourn at 7:44 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk