Regular Council Meeting – Official
September 5, 2017 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Pro Tem Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Rob Paulson, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Brant LaGrange, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath and Police Chief Britt Smith. Mayor Dena Himes was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Lux moved to approve Resolution #17-92 Approving Next Generation Plbg & Htg Application for Tax Abatement on Improvements to the property located at 806 John Drive, Monticello, Iowa, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-94 Approving and Adopting the Annual City Street Financial Report for fiscal year 2016/2017, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-95 Approving Pay Request #1 in the amount of $360,822.49 submitted by Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Re: 2017 Main Street H.M.A. Resurfacing Project, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-96 To Approve Pay Request #2 to Utility Service Company, Inc. RE: Water Tower Project in the amount of $183,692.00, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman advised that the Jones County Solid Waste Commission 28E agreement was updated to remove Center Junction as a member as it is no longer an incorporated city. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-97 to approve Jones County Solid Waste Management Commission amended 28 E Agreement, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
LaGrange reported that the old portion of the Public Works building roof was deteriorated and leaking. LaGrange received two bids to remove and replace steel roof, with lowest bidder being Premier Home Solutions, Inc in the amount of $11,042.15. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-98 to approve PW Building Roof Replacement Project and to hire Premier Home Solutions at a cost of $11,042.15 to replace the roof, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the proposed plan to replace the 4” water main along East Oak Street (Hwy 38 S). Russ moved to approve Resolution #17-99 to approve Oak Street water main replacement and upgrade and hiring of contractor for that purpose, Wolken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-100 Approving Pay Request #1 in the amount of $46,941.83 submitted by Taylor Construction, Inc. Re: 2017 E. 1st Street Bridge Replacement, Goedken seconded. Roll call vote, Yeoman, Goedken, Russ, Lux and Wolken voted aye and Paulson voted nay. Motion carried.
Herman reported that Gary Schwab, E911 Coordinator, has worked with Hinrichsen and Smith to clean up the street numbering for S Main Street, County Road X44 and Business Hwy 151 addresses with the goal of increased consistency of addresses, using South Main Street and the Monticello addressing scheme. Schwab will mail letters to all affected owners prior to the County Supervisors approving any changes. Council did not object to naming of Stephen private drive as Bradley Street or Bradley Landing and recommended that businesses fronting on S. Main Street, whether they enter their properties from S. Main Street or not, be given S. Main Street addresses. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-101 to approve proposed naming and numbering of properties located within the City limits and outside the City limits along S. Main Street between E16 on the north and State Highway 151 on the south, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reviewed the recent Brian Monk purchase of the property located at 218 W. 1st Street, explaining that the building had fallen into serious disrepair and that Herman had been seeking action by the owner to remedy a number of building maintenance issues. Monk proposes to demolish the building and to replace it with a new three storefront one story commercial building. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #17-102 Scheduling Public Hearing on the proposed Amendments to the Monticello Urban Renewal Area and the Monticello Urban Renewal Plan, Yeoman seconded, roll call unanimous. Public Hearing is set for October 2, 2017 at 6 PM.
Alliant Energy has requested that the Franchise Agreement between the City and Alliant be amended to eliminate the language related to their collection of an administrative fee related to the collection and disbursement of the franchise fee. Herman reported that the franchise fee amount will remain the same. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #17-103 Scheduling Public Hearing on Proposed amendments to the City of Monticello Electric Franchise Fee Agreement, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous. Public Hearing is set for September 18, 2017 at 6 PM.
Herman reviewed the two proposals to purchase and redevelop the City owned property located at 224 N Chestnut Street. Tom & Lisa Harmon proposed to purchase the lot for $25,000 with a planned addition to their home located on the adjacent lot and the transfer of the back lot where the old garage sits to the Lambert family who owns an adjacent property to the north. Norm Zimmerman proposed to purchase the lot for $20,000 and to build a two story craftsman style house with finished basement, attached two car garage entering from the alleyway, and a carriage style two story building on the back lot. Goedken moved to accept Norm Zimmerman’s proposal and to approve Resolution #17-104 to approve proposal related to City owned lot located at 224 N. Chestnut Street and to direct staff to negotiate agreement with party associated with chosen proposal, Yeoman seconded. Roll call vote, Yeoman, Goedken and Russ voted aye and Wolken, Paulson and Lux voted nay. Motion failed. Wolken moved to accept Tom Harmon’s proposal and to approve Resolution #17-104 to approve proposal related to City owned lot located at 224 N. Chestnut Street and to direct staff to negotiate agreement with party associated with chosen proposal, Paulson seconded, Roll call vote, Wolken and Paulson voted aye and Russ, Lux, Yeoman and Goedken voted nay. Motion failed. Council directed the City Administrator to collect additional data for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Herman reported that the Jones County Extension Office has scheduled Urban Chicken training for October 12, 2017.
Herman reported that the League of Cities Conference will be held in Davenport in September. Council should let Hinrichsen know if interested in attending.
Herman is working with the Extension Office to set up a meeting with Mike Felton and a Master Gardener regarding milkweeds, butterflies and possible landscaping.
Smith reported there was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Grand and Cedar streets, which is near a recent fatality accident. Some residents in that area expressed concern related to pedestrian safety in that area. Smith indicated that neither of the recent incidents would have, in his opinion, been avoided with any changes to crosswalks or signage. Smith suggested, however, that an additional speed limit sign near Washington Street would be appropriate.
Smith reported that the fire damaged home at 230 West Grand investigation has been completed and has been ruled suspicious. Smith notified the property owner that the scene is free for demolition and gave them 30 days to have it demolished.
Herman stated that the Pocket Park is in the running for an Iowa League of Cities All Star Community Award and asked the Council and the public to like the project on the League Facebook page.
Herman reported that he and others met at Steve Intlekofer’s building to inspect it based upon the lawsuit filed by Intlekofers against the City and another neighboring property owner that the City parking lot project or the neighbors concrete and deck project resulted in water damage to the Intlkekofer building. Herman reported that during the inspection he and others observed exterior light shining into the building through the mortar joints between the cement block building structure that appeared to have been caulked with latex caulk on the outside of the building, indicating that this appeared to be an obvious point where leaks could occur. Herman will keep Council updated on the lawsuit.
Herman reported that the Council would be touring a number of potential street and /or curb and gutter repair projects following adjournment with no action to be taken.
Russ moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 7:28 P.M., roll call vote unanimous.
Brian Wolken, Mayor Pro Tem
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk