Regular Council Meeting
June 2, 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, Josh Brenneman. Dave Goedken, in person and Jake Ellwood, joining 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. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived later in 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, Langerman seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve the consent agenda; Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum advised that Ellwood asked for his letter to be read, as he joined electronically, which Farnum did. The letter recommends setting up a work session and to postpone action on the wage resolution. Farnum stated the approved budget included a 7% increase and will not need to be amended to approve the resolution. Phelan wanted to see more data points. After a lengthy discussion, Phelan moved to table action on Resolution Adopting FY ’26 Salary for the non-hourly employees and to hold a work session first, with adoption of the resolution to follow, Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-77 Acknowledging Monticello Library Director and Library Staff wages for FY ’26, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-78 Approving Pay Request #2 to Highland Corporation, Re: Northridge Estates Fifth Addition Improvement Project in the amount of $89,831.00. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous. When asked, Farnum advised City is holding a 30% retainage on the project.
Goedken questioned if the annexation of the Stephen property was completed. Farnum advised that it was completed. Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-79 Setting public hearing on draft Development Agreement with Roger Stephen for June 16, 2025, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
City staff was looking for direction to sell or dispose of the brick stock pile. Council discussed getting rid of the stock pile but keeping the bricks on the pallets until it is determined how the Council wanted to proceed with the existing brick streets in town. Kahler advised he contacted a brick buyer who offered to purchase the stock pile for $5,000.00. Goedken moved to approve selling the bricks on an honor system for $1.00 each for 60 days to Monticello residents only. Then possibly open up to people outside the City limits or selling to a brick buyer. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Police Chief Britt Smith arrived.
Farnum reported The Fire Department uniforms (jacket, helmet, pants and boots) are called “Turnout Gear”. The turnout gear was typically funded by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (“AFG” grant), which was well-funded and relatively easy to obtain, but recent Federal cuts removed all funding for this program earlier this calendar year. Assistant Fire Chief Billy Norton stated the National Fire Protection Association standards mandate that this equipment be replaced every 10 years, in order to assure adequate protection to our firefighters in firefighting and rescue operations. Firefighters Reece Norton and Tiler Streets stated the insurance company may not cover injuries if the gear is not replaced. Billy Norton advised there are 35 complete sets of gear that would need to be replaced by December 2025. Firefighter Nick Kahler recommends replacing the 35 sets and then start the five-year rotation of gear. Fire Department recommends purchasing the FeldFire equipment, at a cost of $4,804.00 per Firefighter, totaling $168,140. He also stated the will be an 12% increase in the gear in February 2026. Farnum advised that equipping the firefighters is a legitimate government function, the city can borrow for the purchase of this equipment and could be added to the General Obligation bonds the City is getting ready to issue. Goedken questioned if this could be done. Hinrichsen advised it was done in 2007 to purchase a fire truck and the Fire Board would need to include the amount to their budget to pay for the bond payment. Farnum stated the fire equipment is used in the 80-square mile service territory, of which the City is only 5.5 square miles. Farnum stated the Fire Department was looking for direction on options. Billy Norton stated the Fire Board will be meeting on June 18th and will be discussing options with them. No action was taken.
Brighton introduced and moved Ordinance #780 Amending certain provisions of Chapter 106, “Collection of Solid Waste”, of the City of Monticello, Iowa Code of Ordinances, first reading, in title only. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton introduced and 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. Goedken seconded, first reading, in title only. Roll call unanimous.
Smith advised that he emailed the Council regarding their intent to look into the purchase of a canine officer, as an Officer has expressed interest in caring for the canine officer. Last week the Animal Welfare donated a 2 ½ year Belgian Malinois to the department that they received from Georgia, if department so desired. The Master Trainer felt it could be trainable as a working dog. Smith is looking to train it for narcotics. The Department is looking to begin fundraising for a canine in the next couple of weeks. Smith is hoping to have more detail for Council to take action on, to by the end of the year. Officer Shannon is looking to see if the dog would be a good fit for him and his family.
Smith reported the sidewalk inspections are completed in Ward 3 and letters were sent giving them 90 days to complete the work. If the work is not completed the City will hire someone to complete the required work and then they will bill the owner for the work. If not paid the City Clerk will place a lien on their taxes.
Smith gave an update on the house fire cleanups; one on South Maple Street and the other on East Third Street.
Smith advised there is an influx of door-to-door salespersons in the area for vacuums, solar panels, gutter repairs, etc. City currently has no registered & licensed salesperson. He requested if a salesperson comes to the door to request to see their license from the City that is signed by him and the City Clerk. If they do not have a license, call the police department and they will look into it.
Tjaden reported that the City has several pre-treatment agreements with businesses in town. In May 2025, one business has had violations and will be invoiced for $3,000 per the City’s agreement with the DNR related to the pre-treatment agreements. They have been in compliance for about the last year.
Oswald reported they have one more ball tournament coming up. The Aquatic Center is open and has been very busy.
Hinrichsen reported the City audit for fiscal year 2024 has been completed and emailed to Council.
Kahler reported his staff helped getting the cemetery ready for the holiday weekend and it looked great. Airport Inspector requested some trees be removed at the end of the grass runway, so they helped to remove them. They started painting the curbs. The new street sweeper has the capability to assist in cleaning out storm sewers, so will work to clean out more as time allows.
Langerman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer