Regular Council Meeting – Official
October 7, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Rob Paulson, Candy Langerman, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer A.J. Barry.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, adding Glass Top liquor license approval, pending submission of required paperwork, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the Public Hearing on the proposed sale of City owned property off of Diamond Drive near Jaycee/Kleinow fields. Judy Tuetken, 23004 – 150th Ave expressed her continuing interest in the property. Gaylen Kray, 633 North Sycamore questioned why the City would sell park property and questioned which street it would face. City Staff reported that they had not received any oral or written comments. Mayor Wolken closed the public hearing. The Council discussed many options. Yeoman suggested selling a 50’ wide parcel. Brighton expressed interest in the 50’ wide parcel proposed at the same per square foot rate as their bid, sharing half of the survey costs. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-134 to approve sale of City Owned Property off of Diamond Drive near Jaycee / Kleinow fields, at the approximate lot size of 50’ X 213 with the stipulation that it is not a stand-alone buildable lot, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Monticello has been asked to participate in a pilot program referred to as the Rural Innovation Initiative. Cammie Grief, 12998 195th Street and Lisa Stadtmueller, 21779 Stonebridge Road both attended an informational meeting with Herman on this initiative in Dubuque. Grief and Stadtmueller both spoke in favor of the initiative. Herman stated that the proposed letter of support does not obligate the City but expresses the City’s interest in the pilot program. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-135 to approve letter of support for the Rural Innovation Initiative, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #19-136 Approving Pamalee Sue Goettsch Tax Abatement Application related to Residential Improvements constructed at 509 Locust Court, Monticello, Iowa, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that Highland Corp. and the City previously entered into a development agreement related to the Northridge Development. The City agreed to release the developer from the terms of the development agreement upon developer’s satisfaction of the terms. The City has not released the developer as there are still areas in the development that are not fully developed and therefore subject to the agreement. A property owner in the development requested that their lot be released from the requirements of the Development Agreement. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-137 to approve Release of Property from Terms of Development Agreement between Highland Corp. LLC and the City of Monticello, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman explained that many federal grants require evidence of a City procurement policy and presented a policy for consideration. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #19-138 To approve City of Monticello Procurement Policy, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported the Engineer has reviewed and recommended approval of Horsfield Pay Request #6 related to the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $508,139.13. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-139 Approving Pay Request #6 from Horsfield Construction related to North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project in the amount of $508,139.13, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-140 Approving cost share payment to Laird Enterprises consistent with previously approved Storm Water Cost Share Agreement, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the Supplemental Agreement between the City of Monticello and Snyder & Associates related to the Seventh Street Reconstruction Project. Snyder will finish the design work and oversee contracting and bidding of the Seventh Street Reconstruction Project from Cedar Street to Maple Street. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-141 to approve Supplemental Agreement between the City of Monticello and Snyder & Associates RE: 7th Street Reconstruction Project, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that a sidewalk connecting Walnut Street to Gill Street between two residential properties is in poor shape and should be removed or replaced. Herman explained that the walk is not in the right-of-way but over private property, where he believes the City has an easement. Herman indicated that he has been informed that the sidewalk gets regular use. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-142 to approve replacement of Sidewalk between Gill Street and Walnut Street, with a 4-foot sidewalk at an estimated cost of $3,789.00, Langerman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Kahler reported on the details of a 2019 Ford pickup with V-plow at Freese Motors and a 2019 Chaparral dump trailer quoted by N & N Trailer Sales. The pickup and trailer would be used for snow removal, yard waste collection, storm debris collection and other public works purposes. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-143 to approve of purchase of 2019 Ford One Ton Truck with V-Plow from Freese Motors and Dump Trailer from N & N Trailer Sales, Paulson seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman recommended that the Council request abatement of any and all taxes on the compost site property per Iowa Code. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-144 to request Abatement of accrued and future Property Taxes on City owned property utilized for public purposes, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous.
Jones County Economic Development Executive Director, Derek Lumsden reviewed the proposal to pursue a Commercial Historic Designation for Downtown Monticello. He requested that the Council agree to his submission of a Jones County Community Foundation Grant to help cover a portion of the costs of the Historic Designation process and application. The City would be the fiscal agent for Jones Co. Econ. Dev. The City commitment to the overall project would be $5,000 to $8,000. Hanken moved to approve Resolution #19-145 authorizing Jones County Economic Development to apply for a Jones County Community Foundation Grant to cover a portion of the costs associated with the pursuit of a Commercial Historic District in downtown Monticello, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Barry updated the Council on the North Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project with a scheduled completion date of November 21, 2019.
Barry and Herman reviewed the potential reconstruction of the intersection of 6th and Gill with an estimated cost of $220,000. Council discussed temporary patching by City staff this fall with a final decision to be made next year with regard to the scope of permanent improvements.
Kahler reported that bids to purchase the red garbage truck from the City are due by October 30th.
Kahler reviewed a crack sealing proposal received from Kluesner Construction. He indicated that approximately $15,000 would be spent this year. Kluesner Construction will re-seal some cracks on the North Pine cul-de-sac under warranty.
Herman reported staff completed the Anamosa State Penitentiary required training to participate in the Community Worker Program. Angie Fairley, 1004 Valley Drive voiced concerns with the program, specifically the use of inmate labor across the street from the school. Herman explained that the inmates could not be out of the sight of City Staff for more than 30 minutes. Herman stated he forwarded information to the Mayor and Council by e-mail from many other communities that had successful utilized inmate labor. Herman explained that the potential use of inmates started as a question from the Cemetery Board as they know inmates were used in Anamosa. Lynn Dotterweich, 764 Towerview Court, questioned why risk something happening, being that close to Highway 151, indicating that “they will be gone”. Mya Boffeli, 15995 Rock Road, expressed her opinion as a high schooler, indicating that a friend of hers has a cousin who went to prison as a teenager and is now out of prison and a very hard worker. She indicated that she did not object to the program, noting that she understood that the City would be utilizing low-risk inmates who were nearing release. Herman agreed that the inmates to be provided are nearing their release date.
Herman reported that the City owned Northridge Retention Basin drains through an area over which the City does not have an easement. Herman explained that he owns property over which the water drains and that he, and a party to whom he is selling a lot, are agreeable to giving the City a drainageway easement; Highland Corp. and Superior Appliance also agreed to the granting of an easement with Bud Johnson wishing to have more discussion on the topic before agreeing to the easement. Herman will also need to talk to one more property owner.
Herman indicated that the Council needs to look at current and potential increases to water and sewer rates. He will work on a proposed ordinance.
Herman inquired how Council wanted to proceed with Accent lot and depending how they want to proceed, may amend ordinance accordingly. No direction provided.
Herman explained that he had received inquiries related to Mayor and Council pay. Council asked Herman to investigate other community pay scales for Mayor and Council.
Langerman move to adjourn at 8:43 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk