Regular Council Meeting – Official
September 17, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Gary “Butch” Pratt, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman, who joined electronically. Council Member Dave Goedken arrived during the meeting. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, Police Chief Britt Smith and City Engineer Casey Zwolinski.
Lux moved to approve the agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Brenda Hanken, 219 N Pine St, questioned the use of the $3.00 administrative fee on the sanitation account. Herman listed several tasks performed by the City in substantiation of the fee. She also questioned the use of franchise fees collected on gas and electric utility accounts. She also questioned bonding for $200,000 to pay bond attorney fees. Herman advised that the bonding would be used to pay for project expenses, not an attorney.
Bob Furino, Anamosa and Jan Cratsenburg, 211 E Washington, representing the Starlighters were present to get an update on setting up a committee including Starlighters’ members, community members and Council to discuss improvements to the Community Building. Wolken stated the Jan Hoag, Kim Brooks, Sally Hinrichsen and Dave Goedken expressed an interest to be on this committee and he would work to get a meeting setup.
Pratt moved to approve the consent agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed Amendment of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 City of Monticello Budget. Staff received no oral or written comments. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on the Amendment of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 budget. Herman reviewed the proposed amendments and advised that Cities are to amend their budgets prior to overspending a program. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-107 City Budget Amendment and Certification – FY 2019 – Amendment #1, Russ seconded. Roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed Lease Agreement with Verizon related to the placement of two “small cell sites” under the roof of the Amphitheater to improve coverage during the fair. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-108 Approving Lease Agreement between Verizon, the City of Monticello and the Great Jones County Fair related to small cell sites at the City Park /Fairgrounds, Pratt seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that two bids were received to re-side the hail damaged clock tower. Herman stated that the insurance company would like the work done this fall and would cover approximately $27,000 of the total costs. Herman reported being in contact with the two contractors to seek clarification of a couple components of their bid. Council discussed the difference between aluminum siding and LP Smart siding. Herman recommended Council award bid to the low bidder, after confirmation of the bid amounts. Russ moved to approve Resolution #18-109 Accepting bids and awarding Community Building Clock Tower siding bid, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. This motion approved both the base bid and Bid Alternate #1 with the work to be completed this fall.
Herman reviewed four bids for construction of the Willow Park trail and 2 bids for the provision of concrete for the trail project. Council discussed whether to proceed with an eight or ten foot wide trail. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-110 Accepting bids and awarding Willow Park Trail installation bid, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous. This was for a 10 foot trail from Hwy 38 Bridge to East First Street Bridge through the Disc Golf Course. The low bidder was Eastern Iowa Excavating and Concrete and the concrete will be provided by Horsfield Materials.
Herman reviewed an agreement with Norm Zimmerman to build a house at 224 N. Chestnut Street that included a start date of no later than October 1st, 2018. Zimmerman requested an extension of time to begin construction, allowing him time to complete a renovation home project he has undertaken at 216 S Maple Street. Wolken reported that he had received a call inquiring whether or not Zimmerman’s request was supported by “good cause”. Patrice Lambert lives in Cascade but co-owns 205 West 3rd Street property and questioned whether Zimmerman’s request was supported by good cause. After much discussion, Goedken moved to approve Resolution #18-111 To approve amendment of agreement between City and Norm Zimmerman related to the property located at 224 N Chestnut, Yeoman seconded. The approved resolution requires Zimmerman to present plans to the Council for approval by April 1, 2019 and that Zimmerman must then obtain a building permit and begin construction by May 1, 2019. Roll call vote, Goedken, Yeoman, Russ and Lux voted aye, with Pratt and Paulson voting nay. Motion carried.
Herman set Wednesday September 26th at 4 PM for the committee to meet to review the vicious dog ordinance.
Zwolinski stated the IDOT did not approve of the Taylor Const. Change Order as submitted. Taylor Construction agreed to submit a new proposed change order.
Herman reported the removal of the culvert under E. First Street near the Baty Disc Golf Course created a water retention issue on the disc golf course. City Staff plans to install an 8 inch drain from the area holding water under E 1st Street to the ditch on the north side of the street. LaGrange indicated that the street will be patched before winter.
Wolken requested patching of gravel area on N. Maple Street near Welter project.
Herman advised that the City received a $5,400 grant from Parks to People towards the fountain project and he is applying for a $25,000 grant from the Jones County Community Foundation for additional fountain renovation costs. The goal of the committee is to preserve the historic look of the fountain. Herman proposed the insertion of fundraising flyers in the Shopper’s Guide to raise funds for restoration. Consensus of the Council was to move forward with fundraising materials in the Shopper’s Guide as proposed.
Herman updated the Council on the Hughes Garage junk vehicle removal progress indicating that he observed some progress since the last meeting. Herman will continue to provide updates at Council meetings. Herman was asked if he could request a timetable from Hughes and he agreed to request one.
Herman had no updates on the N. Cedar Street sanitary sewer extension project nor the West Well maintenance project but would by the next meeting.
Herman reviewed proposed Library lighting options from Sternberg Lighting. Consensus was to go with lighting with the closest resemblance to the Period Lighting the City has been using for the streets.
LaGrange reported that Dave Lumpa sewer concerns on Linden Street were tied to root infiltration in Lumpa’s service line.
Herman reported that he will be filing suit against Al Hughes based upon his refusal to sign paperwork he is legally obligated to sign in relation to his sale of the Compadres Building. Herman also reported that the taxes on the property were sold at tax sale although the Iowa Code suggests that they should not have been. Consensus of the Council was to pay the taxes and to collect from Hughes in lawsuit.
Council discussed Schoon Addition Street and drainage issues. Before the addition was annexed an agreement appears to have been entered between the City and the then owners of property in the Schoon Addition that any and all public improvements in the Schoon Addition would be fully assessed to the residents and that the residents waived their right to object. Herman will reach out to Larabee to discuss further, and to ask him to reach out to other property owners to see if they can reach a consensus of what they would like to see done.
Herman reported that Cliff Payne has agreed to pay one-half of the bill related to the water leak at 211 & 213 E. First Street which was determined to be tied to an abandoned service line into the Payne property. Payne would like to pay half this year and the other half in 2019. Herman will prepare a written agreement for approval at the next Council meeting.
Pratt moved to adjourn at 7:35 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk