Regular Council Meeting – Official
October 15, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Gary “Butch” Pratt, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ and Chris Lux. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Brant Lagrange, and City Engineer Casey Zwolinski. Council Member Tom Yeoman was absent.
Pratt moved to approve the agenda, adding Resolution requesting Alliant to remove two street lights at City Park, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Bob Furino with Starlighters requested the use of the Community Building at no charge for Director Classes. Goedken moved to approve free use of the Community Building Auditorium for the Starlighters’ Director classes for 5 sessions between January thru March, 2019, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Pratt moved to approve Resolution #18-118 Approving FY 2017-2018 Annual Urban Renewal Report, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed repairs to the West Well as was discussed with Cahoy President Mike Whittenbaugh. Herman expressed his opinion that the proposed maintenance and repairs were appropriate and would lengthen the life of the west well. Herman stated the cost of the repairs to the west well could be added to the bond issue for North Sycamore Street Project. Herman stated the Council could decide to cover a portion of these repairs from the General Fund and not with bond proceeds. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-119 To Approve Maintenance & Repairs to West Well as proposed by Cahoy Group, seconded by Pratt, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-120 Approving internal loan from the General Fund to the Water Operating Fund in an amount not to exceed $106,000.00, seconded by Russ, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-121 Related to the financing of a project to be undertaken by the City of Monticello, Iowa; establishing compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed Anderson Ladd proposal related to Berndes Center Floor installation differences between bid and actual floor installed. Herman recommended that City use the floor for a period of time before locking into the proposed solution, and depending upon wear between now and February, Council can consider other options. Goedken moved to table action to approve Anderson Ladd, Inc proposal for the Berndes Center and allow Herman to get move information regarding the flooring, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous. Herman will put this issue on next agenda for review.
Herman reviewed the two lights he was looking to have removed from the City Park, one located need the dumpster by the side door of the Berndes Center and the other located near the Goettsch Shelter. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-122 entitled Street Lighting Resolution, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. Herman will inform Alliant that the lights can be removed.
Herman reviewed proposed changes to the Ordinance related to Animal Protection and Control. Josephine Bunn, 702 S Sycamore requested the City do the “right” thing and lift the pit bull ban. Amy Bunn, 702 S Sycamore felt the City was opening the door to a law suit by banning pit bulls and felt the City should make the owner responsible and lift the pit bull ban. Preston Moore, Iowa State Director, The Humane Society of the United States read a letter to the Council. Wolken questioned how some insurance companies can ban coverage for Pit Bulls and Moore stated that private businesses can decide what they want to provide coverage for. Russ and Lux both stated that they personally would consider lifting the ban but that the Community members that have elected them want the ban to stay in place, so they have to put their personal feelings aside and do what the electors want. Goedken moved to introduce and move Ordinance #720 amending Chapter 50, by amending provisions pertaining to Animal Protection and Control, first reading and in title only, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that he is looking at a few sites for a tree dump and yard waste facility after the City received a letter related to the City tree dump from the DNR. Herman located two possible sites and will reach out to the DNR for their input.
Zwolinski reported that the Taylor Construction has begun the shoulder work on the East 1st Street Bridge Project and that Eastern Iowa Concrete will doing the paving.
LaGrange reported that the Baty Disc Golf Course drainage project is nearly complete.
Herman and LaGrange reported on the trail project. Eastern Iowa Concrete will be pouring the concrete upon completion of the E. 1st Street Bridge approaches. The Library Board attended a Park Board meeting to discuss applying for a REAP grant through the Iowa DNR to purchase Story Walk Boards to place along the Willow Park Trial, where they would put short storybook pages in for the kids to read along the trail. Council did not voice objections.
Herman reported that he has received one grant related to the Fountain Park project, that he had applied for another, and would be applying for more. City staff will be removing the pit where the pump was located and replacing it with a manhole.
Goedken inquired if repairs were going to be made to the water fountain at the City Park on Maple Street and if it is used. Wolken reported it is used by the concessions during the fair. Herman will contact Fair Manager John Harms for input.
Herman handed out information regarding food trucks regulations from Cedar Rapids. Holly Trevino, 17289 Co. Rd., questioned if others like Schwans and Mac Tools required a transient merchants permit. Smith stated that they were exempt as they are customer based and do not solicit business from others or set up for retail type business. Trevino asked if vendors that fill the factories vending machines were required to have a permit and Smith stated they are requested by the factory to fill the vending machines, so they would not. Trevino stated that they setup their trailer at VJ’s Great Pastimes last weekend and Smith stated that she would need a transient permit as they are soliciting business from customers and not just VJ’s employees. Herman will draft an ordinance for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:26 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk