Regular Council Meeting
October 24, 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, Police Chief Britt Smith, Park /Rec Director Jacob Oswald and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. 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.
Randy Johnson, 660 West 6th Street, advised there is a shortage of officials for all sports. He encouraged volunteers wanting to be officials to let him know.
Kaye Junion, 245 North Arminda Avenue and Tom Osborne, 630 South Sycamore Street advised they are doing a petition to change the council representation plan. If the petition is turned in, the Council will need to hold a special election on the proposed representation plan.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda; Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Mayor Goedken opened the public hearing on rezoning lot located at the corner of North Sycamore Street and East Second Street, currently known as 202 North Sycamore Street, (will be addressed as 201 and 203 East Second Street) in Monticello, IA 52310 is hereby rezoned from R-1 (Single-Family Residential) to R-2 (Two-Family Dwelling). No written or oral comments were received. Mayor closed the public hearing. Yeoman introduced and moved Ordinance #756 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” and amending the Official Zoning Map, first reading in title only. Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved that the statutory rule requiring said ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two prior Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended with respect to Ordinance #756 amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” and amending the Official Zoning Map, be regarded as having been considered and voted on at two prior council meetings. Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Langerman moved Ordinance #756 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Chapter 165 “ZONING REGULATIONS” and amending the Official Zoning Map, third and final reading in title only. Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jerry Hinrichs advised that portion of the street was never dedicated to the City and after the plat was parceled off, it was brought to their attention. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2022-122 Accepting Dedication of portion of John Drive and public improvements located within the right-of-way thereof same being identified as Lot A in Northridge Estates Third Addition, City of Monticello, Jones County, Iowa, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the State Auditor and Iowa Code require all multi-year funding agreements, to include language that is dependent upon City annual appropriation of the funding. The Main Street Iowa is working with State Auditor to add language to agreement. Main Street Monticello Executive Director, Brian Wolken introduced himself. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #2022-123 authorizing Mayor to sign Monticello Main Street and City continued support and participation in the Main Street Program Agreement, contingent of annual appropriation wording being added. Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #2022-124 to approve the hiring of a Monticello Ambulance Full-Time Paramedic and setting of wage, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Schwickerath updated Council on the 7th Street project punch list and stated the contractor intends to place sod where the seeding is not taking. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-125 approving partial payment of retainage to Pirc-Tobin Construction related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project in the amount of $25,556.05, Peach seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Smith was advised by a local car dealer that they can no longer order a police vehicle for July 2023. Smith reached out to the dealership Stiver’s Ford in Waukee, who holds the state bid contract and they had several units on order that would be available about July 2023. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-126 authorizing the Police Department to order a police vehicle, Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Kahler reviewed lighting options for the Park and Ride costs. Alliant is $1,025.34 and cost for light, meter, equipment and labor would be around $5,000 to $5,500; City would own the light and pay for electricity used. Langerman moved to approve Park and Ride lighting, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved Ordinance #755 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding New Subsections to Chapter 69, Parking Regulations, Section 08 No Parking Zones on portions of South Linden Street, third and final reading in title only. Hanken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported working on the budget for FY 2023-2024.
Hinrichsen reported on TIF annual report and annual appropriations resolutions for the next meeting.
Kahler advised they have been busy with leaf pickup and trees.
Kahler reported Council had approved the purchase of a Freightliner truck from Truck Country, which he was notified they would not be able to get for another year. Truck Country recently contacted him that they have a build slot available for a Western Star truck, due to a cancelation, if City was interested. The Western Star would have a larger motor and cost $120,000 compared to the Freightliner cost of $96,000. Consensus of the Council was to have Kahler request the truck, with Council formal approval at the next meeting.
Tjaden reported Daniel Pike has accepted another position and his last day is this Thursday. He has advertised to fill the position.
Oswald reported they held a Pickleball Tournament to raise funding for lighting at the pickleball court.
Turnis thanked the Police and Public Works departments for their help with the Monster Mile, they had a good turnout.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Council took a short recess before holding work sessions on the 6th Street ditch and City Hall/Council Chamber security, which lasted until 8:51 P.M. and no decisions were made.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer