Regular Council Meeting
October 5, 2020 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden and Police Chief Britt Smith. 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.
Scott Brighton, Birdsie Robinson and Tom Osborne introduced themselves to the Council and stated what makes them a good candidate for the vacant council seat. Former Councilmember Gary Feldmann stated he supports Scott Brighton and felt he would do a good job on the Council. Yeoman moved to appoint Scott Brighton to fill the vacancy term of Councilmember Ward 1, seconded by Lux, roll call unanimous except Hanken who voted nay. Mayor Wolken administered the oath of office to Scott Brighton, who then took his seat for the remainder of the meeting electronically. Goedken and Wolken thanked them for taking interest in the position and wanting to become more involved in the community.
Wayne Peach, 108 Monk Court, thanked the Police Department for being active in the community and felt they are doing a good job.
Andrea Hall, 631 W Fifth Street, reported the Trail Committee is working on more outdoor recreational activities for the community.
Dave Schoon, 17151 Co Rd D62, inquired why the school was allowed to install a sign on wooden posts instead of the monument sign as required. Kahler stated this is a temporary sign to help with the direction of traffic.
Hanken moved to remove Glass Tap license renewal from the consent agenda and to be voted on separately, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, as amended, Langerman seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Hanken questioned if there were issues with the Glass Tap or the owner. Smith stated there were no issues in the last 8 months. Owner is currently facing charges that Council could deny a liquor license for, however they can’t until he is convicted. Goedken moved to approve Glass Tap liquor license renewal, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Robert Borman requested the City consider trimming or removing a tree on his neighbor Jennifer (Stutt) Smyth’s property near the 6th Street ditch. The tree is located on private property but would likely need to come down if the council moves forward with the 6th Street ditch project. Langerman moved to direct the City staff to not trim or remove tree on the Smyth property adjacent to the 6th Street ditch, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman stated the City is required to work with a financial advisor when bonding, which the City will need to do for the sewer plant updates. Sewer plant updates are estimated to be between 8 to 10 million dollars. The State of Iowa is requiring increased testing and treatment of nutrients and phosphorous, that the current trickling filter system will not treat. Schwickerath advised the earliest the plans would be ready to bid is late this winter and project could take 18 months to complete construction. The financial advisor PFM will work with City staff to come up with funding options for the Council to consider. PFM service fees is $18,000, but if the City borrows through the State Revolving Loan fund, City could be reimbursed $4,000 for those fees. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #2020-100 approving engagement letter with Public Financial Management (PFM) related to Sewer Plant funding planning, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman advised Kevin Kurth requested Council consider a warranty that would exceed the 4-year maintenance bond on the North Sycamore Project regarding repairs to his newly installed service line that was found to be leaking. Herman suggested including the other leaks in the agreement, if the Council was going to proceed with Kurth’s request. Kevin Kurth, 204 E Seventh Street, stated washed rock was used to backfill around his copper service line and that should have been bedded down with dirt and sand. Kurth also felt that when the line was leaking, it should have been replaced and not spliced. When asked what backfill material was in the specifications, Schwickerath said he would have to check but washed rock is a SUDAS approved material. When asked how many issues there were, Tjaden stated that he was aware of 5 or 6. Goedken thought the City Code allowed washed rock for backfill and should look to change that to lime. Kahler stated he gave directions to the plumber hired by Horsfield to make the repairs. Tjaden stated the City only does mains and uses washed rock for the mains. City doesn’t take care of private service lines and is not familiar with service lines and backfill to be used. Yeoman moved to table action on a proposed warranty for Kurth’s repaired water service line and directed Herman, Kahler, Tjaden and Schwickerath to look into the issues and work on proposal, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman advised Horsfield did not install Bud Coyle’s sidewalk and surface drain, adjacent to and east of Coyle’s property, at the correct elevation. Bud Coyle, 515 N Sycamore Street, stated he would like the sidewalk and surface drain to be installed as the City Engineer designed them to be. Goedken moved approve Resolution 2020-101 to direct Horsfield to install Bud Coyle’s sidewalk and surface drain as the engineer designed it to be, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler advised he sought bids from local contractors to complete various street repairs, most of which were reviewed by the Mayor, Council and city staff at the special Council meeting tour of streets. Kluesner Construction bid on the crack sealing and asphalt repairs, which was in the agenda packets. Kahler received 3 bids for the concrete work and was expecting one more that has not arrived yet. Goedken felt the Council should review the concrete bids before awarding them. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2020-102 to approve bids for the crack sealing and asphalt street repairs from Kluesner Construction Inc., Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith stated the Sidewalk Committee reviewed various policies related to the installation and maintenance of sidewalks in Monticello and proposed a policy to the Council to consider. The Sidewalk committee will review all infill requests and work to make Monticello a walkable community. Council discussed the Presbyterian Church sidewalk that was installed and not ADA compliant. Herman advised the contractor agreed to tear out and redo, if directed to do so. Herman also recommended having City Engineer review all ADA intersections and sidewalks. He stated that if it is a maintenance project, it does not have to meet the ADA requirements. Schwickerath stated the City is to have a plan in place to become ADA compliant and to review options to fix sidewalks that are not ADA complaint. Smith reviewed the cost share proposal for the labor and material to build sidewalks. The Sidewalk Committee will look at setting priority levels and projects. They would like to start with 7th Street and Breckenridge Drive infill sidewalks. David Eastin, 419 South Chestnut, felt the infill sidewalks are needed to join schools and businesses. Goedken moved to approve Resolution 2020-103 approving the City of Monticello Sidewalk Policy as proposed and recommended by the Sidewalk Committee, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Smith reviewed the Sidewalk Committee’s recommendation to infill sidewalk at 7th Street and Breckenridge Drive. Goedken felt the residents on Breckenridge Drive wanted the sidewalk and a crosswalk at 7th Street and Breckenridge Drive, along with traffic control signage for the factory traffic. Shannon Simonson, 745 Breckenridge Drive was not sure a controlled intersection was needed at 7th Street and Breckenridge Drive but feels 7th Street and Gill Street would work for the crosswalk. Wolken talked with school staff who felt the crosswalk would be better at 7th Street and Gill Street. Desiree Bacon, 427 W 8th Street, questioned the need of a crosswalk at Breckenridge with no sidewalk on the school side of the 7th Street. Goedken moved to approve Resolution 2020-104 approving Sidewalk Committee 7th Street /Breckenridge Sidewalk infill recommendations, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Council had proposed a $2.00 per month per utility account fee to operate the compost site. Langerman moved Ordinance #733 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa by amending Chapter 105 “Solid Waste Control”, by adding Sections 15.13 “Rates for Service” and 105.14 “Lien for Nonpayment”, second reading and in title only, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous except Hanken who voted nay.
Herman advised the USDA 6th Street ditch Grant is pending the receipt of a Preliminary Engineer Report (PER). Herman submitted the 2017 engineer review but it needs to be updated. Schwickerath advised they would fast track the review and update PER.
Schwickerath updated the Council on the meeting with Hardscape Solutions for the North Chestnut brick street project and reviewed the three proposed options. He felt the lower cost project would be to use a rock base, like was used on North Sycamore Street Project and the pavers would be the wearing surface. Schwickerath will work on cost estimates.
Herman reported Tom Yeoman would replace Brian Wolken on the JCED on January 1st.
Herman announced that he turned in his resignation as City Administrator. His last day will be December 4, 2020.
Smith will email the Council the Council Chamber’s AV improvement options for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Kahler reported Scott McElmeel was repairing Gary Schwatz’s driveway and discovered the west side of the street curb and gutter are undermined. He is looking to see if this can be mudjacked instead of tearing out and replacing.
Tjaden reported meeting with City Engineer Lindsey Beaman, DNR representative Amber Sauser and Royal Flush owners and their engineer to look at options to do pre-treatment of their waste prior to releasing it to the sewer treatment plant.
Langerman moved to adjourn at 9:03 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk