Regular Council Meeting – Official
January 7, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Brian Wolken called the meeting to order. Council present: Dave Goedken, Brenda Hanken, Johnny Russ, Chris Lux and Tom Yeoman. Also present were City Administrator Doug Herman, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Police Chief Britt Smith, Public Works Director Brant Lagrange, and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. Council member Rob Paulson was absent.
Yeoman moved to approve the agenda, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
During Open Forum, Randy Johnson, 603 N Birch, advised that he helped start Drum & Bugle Corp in Maquoketa and if City was interested he would like to help start one here.
Yeoman moved to approve the consent agenda, Lux seconded, roll call unanimous.
Mayor Wolken opened the public hearing on the proposed Resolution of Necessity pertaining to the 2019 N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project. Herman explained that the Council previously agreed to drop the requirement that private gravel driveways be paved and to bid period lighting as a bid alternate. Kay Eilers, 623 N Sycamore, asked for justification as to why the City was removing all the trees along Sycamore Street Project. Eilers expressed her opinion that the Council doesn’t care about the birds, squirrels or shade and that only God knows if the trees would survive. Schwickerath explained the reconstruction process, including the depth and width of excavation in support of his professional opinion that the trees along N. Sycamore had to be removed. Eilers expressed her disagreement with the engineer. Theresa Peiffer, 401 N Sycamore, inquired why the Council decided to remove sidewalks after she just replaced them and questioned why City property taxes were not paying for the entire project. Wolken explained that the Council agreed to adjust assessment amounts for sidewalks installed during the last 10 years. Herman stated the preliminary assessment amount included in the letter was the maximum amount that could be assessed for the sidewalks, curb & gutter and driveway approaches, which are the only costs being assessed to the property owners as the remainder of the project costs will be covered by property taxes. Goedken explained that it was not just about the pavement, that N. Sycamore Street needs new sanitary sewer. Robert Eilers, 623 N Sycamore, questioned why all subdivisions in town don’t have sidewalks and curb & gutter. Wolken explained that past Councils approved some subdivisions without requiring sidewalks. Stu Gerdes, 615 N Sycamore, inquired if they would be allowed to plant trees in the ROW after the Street Project was completed and how long the project would last. Herman explained that the Council had not formally decided whether or not trees would be allowed in the right-of-way but that the east side may be an option as there would be no infrastructure in the right-of-way.
Schwickerath explained that the project would take an entire construction season or about 7 months to complete and that Council could assess penalties if not completed on time. The project is expected to be shut down and accessible during the Fair. Dave Oldaker, 126 Highview, questioned why the contractor would need to be shut down for two weeks for Fair purposes. Herman stated the City would need to communicate with the selected contractor before City would know how long the project could be shut down but would definitely work to minimize any shut down. Staff received no other oral or written comments. Mayor Wolken closed the hearing on the proposed Resolution of Necessity pertaining to the 2019 N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project. Russ moved to approve Resolution #19-01 Resolution of Necessity for 2019 N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project, Goedken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Yeoman moved to direct the City Clerk to file certified copies of the Resolution of Necessity and Preliminary Plat and Schedule of Assessments with the County Treasurer of Jones County and to approve Resolution #19-02 Ordering, Preparation of Detailed Plans, Specifications, Notice of Hearing, Notice to Bidders and Form of Contract, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported Jones County Economic Development has requested a Monticello investment in amount of $10,000 for FY 2020, which is the same amount approved last year. Steve Hanken, 823 S Main, remarked that he didn’t feel these funds should come from the Hotel/Motel taxes. Yeoman moved to approve Resolution #19-03 Resolution approving JCEDC Investment for FY ’20 in the amount of $10,000, Russ seconded. Determination of where the funds will be paid from will done during budget process. Roll call unanimous.
Jennifer Husmann, Project Coordinator, and Mary Waite, both on behalf of the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition handed out flyers on accomplishments and activities of the Coalition in the past year and requested a Monticello investment in the amount of $3,000 for FY ’20. Carla Jamison with the Coalition also explained that the funds from Monticello are not used to pay Husmann’s salary. Russ moved to approve Resolution #19-04 Approving investment in Jones County Safe & Healthy Youth Coalition in the amount of $3,000.00, Hanken seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman presented the Collective Bargaining Agreement recently negotiated and ratified by the Union. Herman reported that, due to the changes in the Collective Bargaining Laws, the only issue really up for negotiation is wages. The balance of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will be built into an updated Employee Handbook and presented to the Council for approval. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #19-05 Approving Collective Bargaining Agreement with Public Employees, Russ seconded, roll call unanimous.
Herman reported that he filed a Civil Action requesting that Court orders Al Hughes to sign the paperwork required by the Contract he signed in relation to the E. 1st Street property purchased by the City from Hughes. He also seeks damages, attorney fees and court costs.
Herman asked the Council for direction on how they wanted the City Code to read in regard to paved driveways, offering them a number of scenarios to consider.
Herman generally reviewed general fund revenues, and potential tax rates related to the FY ’20 budget. No action was taken.
Russ moved to adjourn at 8:43 P.M.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk