Regular Council Meeting
February 16, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Jake Ellwood called the meeting to order. Council present were: Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, Josh Brenneman, Ben Duehr, Scott Brighton and Dave Goedken. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water /Wastewater Superintendent Jim Tjaden, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Police Chief Britt Smith. Library Director Faith Brehm arrived during the meeting. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Brenneman moved to approve the agenda. Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Open Forum: Mary Melchert, 1 Spring Farm Lane invited the Council and public to attend the Lenten guest speaker Sister Paula Schwendinger – H.O.M.E. (Hispanic Outreach Ministry of Evangelization) on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Sister Paula will share her personal experiences of 35 years working with immigrant populations in Florida and Iowa and the obstacles they face in their daily lives. Her ministry to immigrant workers reaches from her home in Dyersville, Iowa to 15 other rural Iowa communities. Brehm arrived.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened the public hearing on proposed addition of the Minntex Expansion as project in the Urban Renewal Plan. No written or oral comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-16 Approving Amendment to Urban Renewal Plan to include Development Agreement and Economic Incentives to Robert E. Johnson (Minntex/Eastern Iowa Indoor Sports Facility). Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened the public hearing on proposed Minntex Development Agreement. No written or oral comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing. Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2026-17 Approving the Final Development Agreement between City of Monticello and Robert E. Johnson Related to the Expansion of Minntex/Eastern Iowa Sports facility. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2026-18 Approving Pay Request #21 to Bill Bruce Builders, Inc., Re: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $148,049.49, as corrected. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2026-19 Approving Pay Request #6 to Roger Stephen, Re: Stephen Addition Trunk Sewer Project in the amount of $28,407.38. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
When asked Oswald stated the insurance would be decided on case by case. When asked about the Tai Chi classes and what the City is charging for use of the building, Oswald stated the program is provided by Heritage Area Agency on Aging at no cost to the City. Phelan stated she has been attending and the program is a resounding success and it is not about renting the building but providing a service to the community. Oswald stated doctors and therapists are sending their patients to the program. Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2026-20 Approving Program Independent Contractor Agreement. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-21 authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement, providing for the issuance of $520,000 General Obligation Sewer Equipment Loan, Series 2026A and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-22 Accepting a canine donated by Dogs for Law Enforcement (DLE) and approving a purchase agreement with Tree Town Consultants LLC (AKA Tree Town Kennels LLC) for the training of a police canine. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2026-23 Scheduling Public Hearing on City of Monticello Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget amendment #1 for March 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
When asked Smith reported Jones County received a portion of the Nation-Wide Lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accused of their role in the opioid overdose epidemic. Jones County has utilized the funds to support the work of the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) within Jones County. Additionally, the funds were used to purchase a harm reduction vending machine, most commonly known as a Narcan vending machine. The first vending machine was placed at the Jones County Courthouse and has been in operation for almost 1-year. While Narcan is the most prevalent item in the vending machine, it also contains other harm reduction items like sharps containers for properly disposing of used needles, first aid items like wound care kits, locking prescription vials, and condoms. One of the complaints regarding the machine is that it is only accessible during daytime hours on normal business days. The best intent was to have the machine in a more accessible location available all hours of the day and night and not in an area with a high “government presence”. The Jones County Board of Supervisors had a discussion on ideas for the use of the remaining $172,000 that they are currently in possession of. Since a harm reduction vending machine was placed in Anamosa at the Courthouse, it was suggested that a second unit could be purchased and placed in Monticello, since these opioid settlement funds are expected to impact the entire area of Jones County and not be limited to one portion of the service area. While opioid abuse is very low in Monticello, it has not avoided us entirely. In the past 5 years, the Monticello Police Department has responded to and investigated two opioid related deaths. The subjects involved in these deaths were not local to Monticello, nor obtained their opioids from someone in Monticello. These victims experienced opioid addiction prior to relocating to this community. The ties these victims maintained with their previous associations in other communities is what continued to foster their addiction. Our instances are not abnormally high but we do border two counties that do have higher than average numbers for opioid related deaths. We are not completely immune to the epidemic but can still boast a lower than average rate of opioid related incidents. Smith did contact a local business who has offered to allow the vending machine on their property. Langerman felt if it is saves one life, it is a good idea, Goedken felt it could increase the drug usage in town. Smith stated the Jones County Supervisors don’t need Council approval , as it is on private property. Council decision is how they see the voice of the community, if they approve or not. Langerman moved to support the receipt and placement of a harm reduction vending machine in Monticello by Jones County. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous except Goedken who voted nay.
Goedken moved to authorize to waive Community Center fee for Outlaw Entertainment’s free family event on March 14, 2026, Brighotn seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood stated he received questions on the appeal hearing from the last Council meeting. He advised the City Council has to follow certain procedures and unfortunately, he had to stop someone from speaking and the item being discussed was not on the agenda. Smith updated the Council that a citation has been issued for the property located at 526 and 530 North Chestnut and they will continue the court date and then ask for a continuance to April 20th, as directed by the council.
Farnum reported Brenda Leonard sent an email for anyone interested in weather spotters training to contact her for more information. He has been busy working with the department heads on the budget. He has been keeping on eye on several State Legislative action, including changing the wording on the letter sent to property owners related to the budget, making is easier to understand. There are also several bills which could affect our library that he and the Library Director are keeping an eye on.
Hinrichsen stated the City has received three setoffs pending for people with delinquent bills of the City, since January 1st and tax filing beginning. She has been working with Farnum on the budget, bonding and airport grant closeout filings.
Kahler took advantage of the nice weather to begin tree work and helped Oswald to remove some trees from the wetland pond at Riverside Park. Kahler stated he has been asked about getting the street sweeper out to clean the streets, however they usually do not get it out until the end of March or later, depending on the weather.
Smith thanked the Council for their support for the canine program. A lot of names have been shared on Facebook. Smith reported they will have a bags tournament at the Eagles club to support the canine program this weekend.
Tjaden reported the contractor planned to begin pouring cement with the warmer weather, they will close up the structure as colder weather is expected later this week and will continue working on the inside.
Oswald updated Council on all the activities in the Park’s Department. He also announced they would be posting the Aquatic Center swimming lessons dates and will open for registration on March 2nd.
Brehm reported she has to renew the accreditation of the library every three years, which she has been working on. She advised contacting the Jones County Extension Office and will be hatching chickens in the Library. She advised the Friends of the Library will begin their membership drive soon.
Phelan updated Council on the Park & Rec Board meeting and the Library meeting.
Brighton moved to adjourn at 6:37 P.M.
Jake Ellwood, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer