Regular Council Meeting
October 4 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present were: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Council member Scott Brighton joined the meeting electronically with Zoom. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald. 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, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Dave Lumpa, 410 South Linden Street asked Council to consider the two blocks of Varvel Street and two blocks of Linden Street in future street project discussions. They pay taxes and the streets have needed repairs for several years. He stated his dirty water is disconnected from the City sewer, due to issues with the street.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reviewed the crack filling bid from Kluesner Construction. He proposed doing the streets that were highlighted on the bid, this year, in the amount of $35,989.78. When asked what happens to the remaining streets on the list, Kahler stated they remain on the list for consideration the following year. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-108 Approval of Kluesner Construction crack and joint sealing bid, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
When asked, Kahler stated if anyone has cracks in their driveway, to contact the City Clerk’s Office or himself and he will forward their contact information to the contractor.
Hinrichsen reported the ARP Grant requires the City to have a Conflict of Interest Policy related to the Federal funds received by the City. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2021-109 Conflict of Interest Policy, seconded by Langerman, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Economic Development Director, Derek Lumsden stated it is recommended to complete a Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) survey to assist City to qualify for the CDBG grant for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project and would be beneficial for other CDBG grants also. Lumsden stated the next CDBG grant deadline is January 1st, so survey would need to be complete by early November to allow East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) time to compile the information. Council discussed the need to do the survey to get funding for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades that are required by DNR. ECICOG prepared the list of addresses for the City. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2021-110 To approve conducting a survey for Iowa Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the wastewater treatment plant improvements. Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Council and volunteers will collect the surveys on Friday, October 15th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM; Saturday, October 16 from 9 AM until mid-afternoon and Sunday, October 17 from 1 PM until done. Residents that receive the survey in the mail, are asked to complete the survey and tape to door for contactless and quick pick up. Contact City Clerk’s Office if you have questions. Any volunteers that want to help collect the surveys are asked to contact the City Clerk’s Office or Mayor Brian Wolken.
Hinrichsen stated the Street Finance Report is a summary of the revenues and expenses related to roads and is required to be completed each year per Iowa Code. The main revenue source is the Road Use Tax funds, but also includes general fund revenues and capital project funding. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2021-111 Approving the FY 2020-2021 Street Finance Report, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Audrey Savage, 717 West First Street, inquired what the deciding factor was for Yeoman to get involved with the Compadres building and questioned why the minutes stated the group was an LLC. She felt City should re-do the process and re-let for offers to purchase the building. Wolken advised he asked Hinrichsen to review the resolutions to see if they reference an LLC and Hinrichsen reported they did not. Tom Osborne, 630 South Sycamore Street questioned after Matt Kumley gave his proposal on March 1st, why the Council decided to accept an additional offer two weeks later from a private group. Yeoman stated he withdrew his offer and would not be signing the developer’s agreement. Wolken stated the building would remain with the City and City will need to maintain it. Matt Kumley, 341 East Third Street, stated he would need the Catalyst Grant to continue with the project. Goedken stated the City applied for the Grant, if work is not completed, what happens. Farnum stated the building would revert back to the City. Lumsden stated the Derelict Building and Asbestos Removal grants are completed and City has received those funds last week. He will need to inquire with the State to see if the grant proposal could be changed but there is no guarantee they would accept the changes. Wolken stated Yeoman and Kumley were working together to complete the project and the Glass Tap would have owned the building. Hanken moved to table approving the Development Agreement on the Compadres building, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous except Yeoman who abstained. Yeoman stated his intent was to abstain on any actions related to this building.
Farnum prepared a draft letter for the 2019 North Sycamore Street Project property owners related to extending the warranty on the new water service installed during the project. Goedken moved to authorize the City Administrator to send the letter to the property owners of the 2019 North Sycamore Street Project and to extend the warranty until December 31, 2040. Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum drafted a City Attorney contact policy for Council review. Langerman moved to approve the City Attorney contact policy, as written; Brighton seconded, roll call unanimous.
Farnum reported Snyder & Associates had a COVID outbreak in their office and are prohibited to attend any meeting in person; however, they are continuing to work on various project for the City.
Farnum reported the Sixth Street Ditch project in on hold until the CDBG surveys are completed to see if City would be eligible for CDBG funding for this project also and to see where the wastewater treatment plant bonding comes in at.
Wolken reported Hinrichsen will be sending out an evaluation form for Farnum to the Council for their completion and return, in the next few weeks.
Wolken advised staff will be meeting with Royal Flush to discuss compliance issues this week. When asked, Tjaden stated the City is working with the DNR on violations related to Royal Flush that will be discussed at the meeting
Wolken advised he signed a letter giving City support for a grant to help fund the wastewater treatment plant improvements.
Farnum reported working on the following items: Vehicle leasing program and airport consultant and other issues, which will come to the Council for approval.
Hinrichsen reported attending a webinair on redistricting and is working on maps of the City’s wards on the State GIS program. After the State approves their redistricting maps, City has 60 days to get maps approved and submitted.
Smith updated the Council on the Birch Street sidewalk and sidewalk committee continues to look at options to connect 7th Street to Northridge Addition.
Oswald reported the Health State Walk will be on Wednesday this week starting at Willow Park at 5:30 PM.
Turnis stated the Public Works Department and Oswald installed the posts for the permanent Storywalk along Willow Trail. Dedication of the Storywalk will be held Wednesday also in conjunction with the Health State Walk. City received funding for the Storywalk from the following: Iowa Park & Recreation Association Community Walk Mini Grant, in partnership with Healthiest State Initiative $500, that Oswald applied for; Monticello Lion’s Club $2,000; Theisens Grant $500 and Bud and Georgia Johnson Foundation $1,500.
Brighton adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm. Council took a short break before reconvening for two work sessions related to the possible Flood Buy-out of 202 North Main Street and the Community Building repairs and improvements. No action was taken during the work sessions. Brighton left the meeting at 7:35 pm, during the flood buy-out work session. Work sessions at 8:40 pm
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk