Regular Council Meeting
September 19, 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, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Library Director Michelle Turnis, Police Chief Britt Smith 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.
Langerman moved to approve agenda, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Joe Stoll, Monticello, advised for his Eagle Scout Project, he would like to install benches along the trail by Kitty Creek at the disc golf, and inquired who he should work with. Oswald advised he would work with him.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore, inquired about the watering of flowers on First Street and other flower pots around town, including the one by Ohnward Bank & Trust. Oswald stated he waters the City flower pots about twice a week and Ohnward Bank is the only one not in the right of way. Coyle questioned the status for the installation of the sidewalk by Dollar Fresh and was advised they were waiting for the poles to be removed.
Steve Intlekofer, 529 West First Street, reported that he applied for a building permit to move a modular home into town and had not heard back. He advised his permit was in compliance and asked the Mayor and Council to approve it. Goedken stated he would look into it and approve it if it met the City Code. Intlekofer mentioned that City Administrator still has not found a residence in the City limits.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda; Brighton seconded. Hanken questioned several invoices and the staff advised the Council. After inquiry of the bills, the roll call was unanimous.
Goedken stated there are no stipulations regarding setbacks on corner lots in the City Code and questioned if Council wanted to refer this to Planning & Zoning Commission to consider the amendment. According to the Code, the garage built on the corner of 5th Street and Gill Street is permissible. He advised Attorney Doug Herman has suggestions on how to word the Code to prevent a garage from being built so close to a sidewalk, like it was at 5th Street and Gill Street. Council felt City should require measurements on drawings for building permit applications. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-109 directing the Planning and Zoning Commission to Consider Amendment(s) to the Municipal Code, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen and Jones County Economic Development Director, Derek Lumsden, submitted the invoices related to expenses for 103 West First Street project, to the State of Iowa for reimbursement. City received the $60,000, which is the Project Mid-Point grant amount from the State of Iowa through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Lumsden stated City agreed to $50,000 towards the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant, along with the $60,000 from the State, less the expenses paid by the City is the $46,980. Once the project is completed, the State will pay City an additional $40,000, which will need to be reimbursed to Matt Kumley also. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-110 to approve payment to Matt Kumley dba Glass Tap, LLC in the amount of $46,980 related to the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant for improvements at 103 West First Street. Hanken seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen advised State of Iowa funding through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), who recently amended the provisions to their agreement to the current Iowa Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which is being run through the HACAP Office. This program provides water assistance to help a lot of low-income families pay their utility bills. Peach moved to approve Resolution #2022-111 Approving Agreement for water utility vendor agreement Low-income household water assistance program between Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc, and City of Monticello, Brighton seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Turnis advised one full-time staff member resigned and this is to fill that position. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-112 To Acknowledge the hiring of Monticello Library full-time staff position and setting wage, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Peach moved to postpone action on Resolution to approve updates to Cleaning Service contract with D&D Services LLC until the October 3rd meeting to allow staff time to look into if this needed to be bid, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-113 Approving Pay Request #5 from Pirc-Tobin Construction, Inc. related to the 2021 East 7th Street Utility Improvements Project in the amount of $1,276.80, Yeoman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Tjaden updated the Council on the liquid chlorination system. He applied for a construction permit through the DNR to switch from gas to a liquid chlorination system at the wells. The estimated cost for the three wells is $11,700. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2022-114 Approving Purchase of Liquid Chlorination System for the Water Utility, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to remove the post at the Park and Ride, subject to Iowa DOT approval, Lux seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Smith reported Linda Parker requested no parking on the west side of South Linden instead of the proposed east side. Smith considered the amount of space for parking and location of fire hydrants. Yeoman 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, first reading in title only. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Schwickerath reported the sidewalks on North Sycamore were replaced and appear to be in general performance and thickness of the plans. The issue appears to be the soil and drainage, so they installed drainage tubes under the concrete.
Goedken inquired on the status of the guard rail along Hwy X44. Kahler stated that he has attempted several times to contact the company that Jones County uses and has received no response. He is looking for a different company to repair the guard rail.
Farnum advised Mediacom needs to relocate their lines along First Street by Dollar Fresh, so the poles can be removed.
Farnum stated the closing on 449 N Sycamore Street property should be completed tomorrow.
Farnum informed Council that Steve Intlekofer neglected to state that his permit doesn’t meet City Code. Once permit is up to City Code, he will approve it.
Farnum is working with City Engineers to prepare a presentation to Council and neighbors related to the Sixth Street ditch. He is also working with PFM on the financing piece of the project.
Farnum advised Library Director, Michelle Turnis, submitted her resignation at the Library Board meeting. Her last day will be October 8th, however she agreed to stay on part time thru December to assist the library staff. Kim Brooks, Library Board President, reported the Library Board accepted Turnis’ resignation and are working on a job description and wage proposal.
Hinrichsen stated the second payment of the ARPA grant was received and Council will need to decide how to spend the funds in the next budget. Funds need to be spent by 2026.
Kahler reported the street sweeper is out of service, he is waiting for the seal to repair it.
Kahler advised leaf pickup will begin on October 3rd this year.
Goedken reported that Bill Grief will be taking a bulk of the compost at the yard waste site.
Smith reported attending a round table with Teresa Greenfield with the USDA on funding opportunities available to the City.
Smith is also working on the GEMT funding report related to Medicare ambulance calls.
Smith stated the police department is working with school staff on ALICE training, which is an active shooter training.
Smith thanked everyone that was able to attend the ribbon cutting of the Austin Smith Playground. Smith stated the company that did the surfacing of the playground billed through Boland Recreation. He asked the Council to authorize the payment of the invoice and the Smith Foundation will reimburse the City the cost of the surfacing less the City’s pledge of $50,000 and any donations received for the project. Consensus of the Council was to allow this payment for the surfacing.
Tjaden reported the copper/lead testing is completed and City’s tests passed.
Oswald asked anyone that finds a knob at the new playground to turn them into him. Monti in Motion had a good turnout and raised $900 for the downtown lighting.
Peach moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m.
David Goedken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer