Regular Council Meeting – Official
October 1, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Gary “Butch” Pratt, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. Council member Rob Paulson was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Holly Trevino, 17289 Co. Rd., stated she was looking to start a food truck service and would like to stay in Monticello. She reported Cedar Rapids charges $500/year and Dubuque charges $100/location/year and questioned if the city would consider creating a new category for food trucks. The food truck is regulated by the State Health Dept and has to be inspected and licensed. Herman stated that food trucks would currently fall under the Transient Merchant definition in the City Code. Consensus of the Council was to consider modifications to the Ordinance to deal specifically with Food Trucks. When asked, Trevino felt $250/year was a fair permit fee for a food truck. Jan Hoag, Monticello Chamber, asked the Council to consider a distinction in the Ordinance for food trucks/vendors serving at special events when preparing the ordinance.
Pratt moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #18-112 Approving Mike Jacobs Farms, Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 205 North Chestnut, Monticello, Iowa, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Cliff Payne signed the proposed agreement related to the water leak repairs located at 211/ 213 East First Street and made the 1st payment. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-113 Approving Agreement between the City of Monticello and Cliff Payne related to Water Service Line Repair at 211/ 213 East First Street, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the two Community Building Clock tower siding bids to repair the 2014 hail storm damage, in addition to other improvements. Herman reported that the bids were not identical, with differences in the vents proposed for installation and differences related to covering on the gable eyebrow roof sections. He also indicated that a couple Council members had expressed concern with one contractor’s intended use of scaffolding on the roof as the scaffolding would be attached to the roof and could cause leaking. After a lengthy discussion, Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #18-114 Accepting bids and awarding Community Building Clock Tower siding bid, seconded by Goedken, roll call unanimous. Bid was awarded to Barnhart Construction Co. in the amount of $58,294.00.
Herman advised Mark Kelchen requested a sewer fee credit related to a broken water fitting and where Public Works Director Brant LaGrange confirmed that the water did not go into the sewer system. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-115 Approving $214.40 credit against Mark Kelchen Utility Account, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported P & Z Board reviewed the proposed Plat of Survey to Parcel 2018-57 and Related Easement A and Easement B and recommended its approval. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-116 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2018-57 and Related Easement A and Easement B, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the School Board has approved the proposed School Resource Officer 28E Agreement. Smith stated the School Resource Officer position will be created with a cost share of 60% school and 40% city. School Superintendent Dr. Brian Jaeger reported on the many duties of the School Resource Officer position such as interacting with teachers and students, teaching bicycle safety, safe street crossing, emergency planning, and creating a comfort level between students and officers. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-117 To approve 28E Agreement between the School and the City establishing a School Resource Officer, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported committee of Chief Smith, himself, and Council members Lux, Goedken and Pratt met to review and make recommendations related to City Code Chapter 50 Animal Protection and Control. Herman reviewed the draft ordinance with the recommended changes and recommended Council table action to allow them time to review it. Yeoman moved to table Ordinance to amend Chapter 50.10 Animal Protection and Control, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Schwickerath, Herman and LaGrange inspected the John Drive extension for consideration of acceptance. Schwickerath reviewed his recommendations with the Council. One recommendation was that the sawed joints should be modified as necessary to comply with SUDAS, related to the depth and width and then sealed. He suggested that a sub-drain could be installed instead of re-sawing and resealing the joints. He advised either would help keep the sub-base dry which is critical to support the street and expressed his opinion that a tile would be most effective. Jones County Supervisor, Jon Zirkelbach, explained that the contractor who installed the street extension has agreed to re-saw and reseal the joints. Jon was opposed to the proposed sub-drain as the County would incur additional costs to complete that task. Herman explained that he believed the County Engineer was going to be more involved in the project and if he had known that he wasn’t he would have had the City Engineer perform some project inspections at key points during the project. Goedken expressed his opinion that the joints should be recut and sealed. Consensus of the Council was not to accept until the completion of drainage tile was installed or the joints were re-cut and sealed. Council also discussed the water drainage issue at the intersection of John Drive and Valley Drive, with no action taken.
Hinrichsen reported that the Community Building Committee met to discuss proposed improvements to the auditorium, kitchen and stage area with electrical updates rising to the top of the list. The committee also suggested floor repairs where the air exchangers were removed. Starlighters committee members will have further discussions with their Board and will compile a list of improvements they believe should have priority or would need to be addressed before they would put the facility to use.
Herman reported that he and Park Director Jacob Oswald met with Anderson Ladd representative Noah Johnson who expressed disappointment with the floor installation process and his desire to make things right with the City. He verbally proposed to lightly sand the floor and to apply 2mm of GM2500 coating that was supposed to have been used instead of the GM2000 coating that was apparently used. Another option would be to use spike proof urethane coating. Herman will continue to work with company on potential proposed modifications to the floor. Any modifications would likely have to wait until March, 2019 to be made due to the current rental schedule at the facility.
Herman reported he has not received any correspondence from Schaus Vorhies related to a potential change order associated with the Ten T Hangar project. Schwickerath indicated that Snyder & Associates had not received any additional information either.
Herman reviewed the West well maintenance report that was completed by Cahoy Group, with recommended repairs up to $105,645.00. Herman will look into further and will see if a representative with Cahoy can meet with City staff. He will keep Council advised.
Herman reported that the City received a letter related to the City tree dump from the DNR. Herman indicated that the City needs to look at alternatives to the tree dump moving forward.
Schwickerath reported that the IDOT has approved the E 1st Street Bridge related street improvements and the contractor will begin work as soon as weather permits.
Herman reported that work on the Willow Park Trail will commence when weather allows.
Herman reported that Robert Claussen was hired to power wash the fountain and that the work is complete.
Herman reported that another load of cars was removed from Hughes Garage and Red Hughes estimated that he was down to one more load. Hughes indicated that he was having trouble getting rid of tires and had been turned away by the Transfer Station.
Herman advised that he ordered two period fixtures for the area behind the Library
Engineer questioned how the Council wanted to proceed with sidewalks on North Sycamore Street Project whether 4’ or 5’ sidewalks. Council discussed going with 5’ sidewalks between 1st and 3rd Street, not including the area immediately to the north of 1st Street where the sidewalks are 8’ and only assessing the residential property owners for 4’.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 8:08 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk