Regular Council Meeting
June 16, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Scott Brighton, Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, Jake Ellwood and Dave Goedken, in person and Josh Brenneman, joined electronically. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Water/Wastewater Supt. Jim Tjaden, Park & Rec Director Jacob Oswald, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Library Director Faith Brehm and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath. 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.
Ellwood moved to approve the agenda, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore, inquired what the status of the Sixth Street ditch project was. Schwickerath advised the plans and permitting are on hold until the easements are all signed and returned. Farnum advised the easements are ready and working to contact the property owner to get the signatures, with all the other projects.
Langerman moved to approve the consent agenda; Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Mayor opened Public Hearing on the proposed Development Agreement with Roger Stephen. No public comments were received. Mayor closed the hearing.
Farnum reported working with Schwickerath and Roger Stephen and his engineers on the plans for the sewer extension. The proposed sewer main trunk is designed to service 104 acres of Roger Stephen property and 154 acres on the west side of Main Street. They are looking at options to lower the costs, such as not taking trunk line across Main Street at this time, option of not installing at the proposed depth and routes. If the routes are changed now, the plans would need to be re-engineered and new permits from the DNR. Schwickerath advised the depth of the sewer trunk is to allow accessibility to properties on the West side of Main Street without a lift station. Goedken suggested putting main in less deep and then connecting laterals from the manholes to the lots. Schwickerath stated it is not any further to install the main less deep, but it would need to be determined who owns the laterals from the manholes. Farnum stated this project was setup similar to Northridge, where City would reimburse the developer after the work was completed, and Farnum was working based upon Council direction to do so. Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-80 Approving Development Agreement between City of Monticello and Roger Stephen Related to the Development of Brad Stephen Addition and the Extension of Sanitary Sewer and other public infrastructure. Langerman seconded. Ellwood commented prior to his vote that more work needs to be done but wants to keep the project moving forward. Roll call was all ayes except Goedken and Phelan. Carried.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-81 setting the date for public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Public Hearing will be July 7th at 6:00 PM. Brenneman lost connection with meeting.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-82 Approving Change Order #4 in the increased amount of $23,025.82 as submitted by Bill Bruce Builders related to the Monticello Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2025-83 Approving Pay Request #13 to Bill Bruce Builders, Inc., Re: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $818,191.31, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Brenneman rejoined the meeting.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2025-84 Approving the Final Development Agreement between City of Monticello and Kwik Trip Inc. Related to the Development of a Kwik Star Convenience Store, Gas Station and Truck Stop, Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan stated Adult Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Kara Burrack is doing a great job. However, only 50% of the costs for her position has been absorbed from the income. Phelan would like to see more data for more months, and would like to see revenues more at 80%.. Brighton stated he was not comfortable with her being the only employee that has to provide her worth. He questioned who else has to bring in revenue to pay their wages? Ellwood stated Burrack does a great job, look what she has done in 4½ months and there are things you can’t quantify, like volunteering in the community. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-85 Approving the continued employment of the Monticello Park and Recreation part-time Adult Recreation and Special Events Coordinator and setting wages, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Oswald reviewed the proposed user fees for the Monticello Berndes Center and Park and Recreation Shelter Rental. When asked, Oswald stated the Horse Camp is looking to make a financial investment on the kitchen improvements, that was the reasoning for the larger discount. Oswald stated he looked at several venues in the area to compare the rates. Langerman stated if they had a signed agreement, with the rate listed, they need to honor that agreement. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-86 Approving increased user fees for the Monticello Berndes Center and Park and Recreation Shelter Rental, effective July 1, 2025. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-87 Scheduling Consideration of Annexation and Public Hearing on proposed re-zoning of property known as Lot 1 of Brad Stephen’s 4th Addition to M-1 Light/Heavy Industrial District for July 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to acknowledge the receipt of the FY 2024 annual audit, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved Ordinance #780 Amending certain provisions of Chapter 106, “Collection of Solid Waste”, of the City of Monticello, Iowa Code of Ordinances, second reading, in title only. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved Ordinance #781 Amending certain provisions of Chapter 105, “Solid Waste Control”, Section 105.13, Rates for Service, Paragraph 1, of the City of Monticello, Iowa Code of Ordinance. Langerman seconded, second reading, in title only. Roll call unanimous.
Kahler stated Public Works has been busy with street painting, tree removal and cleanup and street sweeping. To date, only one brick was picked up and paid for. Consensus of the Council was to have Kahler contact the brick company to pick up the bricks after the July 1st deadline.
Tjaden reported that the sludge pump quit working and they have ordered the parts to make the repairs. He stated 6 to 7 years ago it cost between $6,000 to $7000 and are now looking at $13,000 to $14,000 to repair.
Oswald stated they have been busy with all the summer activities. The ball tournaments brought 94 teams to town. The swimming pool is open and busy. The new pool vacuum came in and is working great.
Brehm gave an update on all the library activities happening for June and July. They have switched to their summer hours and will be open Monday thru Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to noon.
Farnum reviewed the wage information that was included in the Council packet. Phelan stated the Fair Labor Act report shows that they are only giving 2.5% increases. Ellwood suggested council should set a deadline for wages to set a placeholder and give them a couple of months to consider the proposed wages. Peach stated wages were discussed during the budget process and Council was advised what was put in the budget. After much discussion, Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-88 Adopting FY ’26 Salary for the non-hourly employees with a 5% increase. Langerman seconded. Roll call was: Ayes: Brighton, Langerman and Brenneman. Nays: Ellwood, Goedken and Phelan. Motion failed. Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2025-88 Adopting FY ’26 Salary for the non-hourly employees with a 4.3% increase, which Phelan stated was consistent with the Federal Government. Goedken seconded. Roll call was: Ayes: Phelan, Goedken, Ellwood and Brenneman. Nays: Brighton and Langerman. Motion carried.
Council held a work session on addresses on Meade Farm Lane. Consensus was to move forward with notifying the property owners on the changes to their addresses for East section of Meade Farm Lane, along Birch, to bring them into the City addressing schema. Also to notify the property owner on the West section that when the Northridge Estates – Phase 6 is completed their address will also change. From a 911 standpoint, updating the current address to the City numbering schema will make it easier for emergency services to locate them.
Council held a work session on the prairie path maintenance. Oswald reported he walked the area with the conservation staff that seeded it for them and they felt the was looking good. They recommended staying the course on the sheets handed out to the Council that they received from the USDA on establishing and managing native prairie plantings. Farnum advised they are looking for ways to access the trail section north of Kitty Creek. Some options being looked at include building a bridge, talking to IDOT to cross under Hwy 151 and using a 10 ft strip along Hwy 151, from Hwy 38 to the south end trail head. Council discussed a spray buffer of 10 feet along the trail. Farnum stated staff didn’t see a need for a trail committee, however a dedicated work group would be great. If anyone would like to help take care of the trail to reach out to Oswald.
Phelan moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer