Regular Council Meeting
October 6, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Wayne Peach called the meeting to order. Council present were: Scott Brighton, Josh Brenneman, Dave Goedken, Candy Langerman and Mary Phelan. Council member Jake Ellwood joined electronically, later during the meeting. Also present were City Administrator Russell Farnum, City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler and Library Director Faith Brehm. 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.
Mary Melchert, 1 Spring Farm Lane announced that a resident passed his citizenship test in July and the ceremony will be on October 17th at 1 PM at the Federal Building in Cedar Rapids. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Bud Coyle, 515 North Sycamore Street inquired about the 6th Street ditch status and suggested hiring someone to contact the residents to sign the easements. Peach stated staff is working on right-of-way easements and permits needed to start the project.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Ellwood joined the meeting.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-126 Approving FY 2024-2025 Street Finance Report, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2025-127 Approving contracting with Kluesner to complete FY26 Crack Sealing, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2025-128 Approving FY 2024-2025 Annual Financial Report, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-129 Approving the Plat of Survey to Parcel 2025-51 and Parcel 2025-52, same being located within the two-mile jurisdiction of the City limits of the City of Monticello, Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Ellwood moved to approve Resolution #2025-130 Approving the Plat of Survey to Parcel 2025-65, for Property located at 21752 River Road, Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2025-131 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2025-58 for Property located at 18064 Hardscrabble Road, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2025-132 Approving Plat of Survey to Parcel 2025-71 and Parcel 2025-72, same being located within the City Limits of the City of Monticello, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2025-133 Approving Monticello Family Dentistry Site Plan at 501 S Main Street, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2025-134 Preliminarily approving Proposed Amendment to Monticello Urban Renewal Plan to include the Dr. Lindsey Meyer project, and to schedule a Public Hearing on the proposed Urban Renewal Plan amendment for the 3rd day of November, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2025-135 Preliminarily approving proposed Development Agreement between the City of Monticello and Dr. Lindsey Meyer and scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed agreement. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous. The Public Hearing will be held on November 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Several residents including Mike Nodolf, 120 El Camino Real, Barbara Himes, 138 El Camino Real and Jon Husman, 114 El Camino Real voiced their concerns on possibly removing the Oakwood Cemetery fence. They were opposed to tearing out the fence and spending the money to remove the fence. Goedken felt City needed to determine whose property the fence is located on and where the property line is. He also felt the fence was a liability issue. Brighton stated he was not in favor of taking out the fence but would like to see it spruced up. Mary Melchert, 1 Spring Farm Lane, who serves on the Cemetery Board, felt the Cemetery Sexton questioned how the Board wants him to maintain the fence. Melchert felt the maintenance is getting harder due to the condition of the fence. Some members of the Cemetery Board felt the fence looks bad and want to see it removed, while others on the Board want to keep the fence and fix it up. Ellwood moved to table until it is determined who owns the fence, Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reviewed the Cemetery Board’s recommendation for cemetery rate increases. Phelan moved to increase the rates as recommended by the Cemetery Board. Goedken seconded. Farnum advised he would put together a resolution for the next Council meeting to approve the rates and inquired if they Council wanted to set when the rates would be effective. Brighton proposed in 30 days. Roll call was unanimous.
Hinrichsen inquired about closing the Clerk’s Office as needed to allow training on the new software program, which be over the next several weeks, possibly 4 to 5 days. Brighton moved to allow the Clerk’s Office to close to allow for training on new software program, as needed. Brenneman seconded. Phelan requested a notice be posted on Facebook when the office would be closed, along with the posting at City Hall. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Ordinance # 783 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 165 “Zoning Regulations”, Section 23, Fences, second reading in title only. Langerman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Ordinance # 784 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 165 “Zoning Regulations”, Section 31, DISTRICT R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, Paragraph 2 Permitted Uses, to add Accessory Dwelling Units as an allowed use in accordance with Iowa Code, second reading in title only. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Goedken moved to waive the 3rd reading of Ordinance # 784 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 165 “Zoning Regulations”, Section 31, DISTRICT R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, Paragraph 2 Permitted Uses, to add Accessory Dwelling Units as an allowed use in accordance with Iowa Code, third and final reading in title only. Ellwood seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Ordinance #785 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding a New Section Requiring Responsible Beverage Server Training, second reading in title only. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous. Goedken moved to waive the 3rd reading of Ordinance #785 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Monticello, Iowa, by Adding a New Section Requiring Responsible Beverage Server Training, third and final reading in title only. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Farnum reported the sewer plant generator was sold through Big Iron for $14,564.00 after fees.
Farnum advised the Federal shut-down has not caused any issues at this time. However depending on the length of the shut-down, the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project and Airport Runway Maintenance Project pay requests could be affected.
Brehm reported on several events that will be happening at the Library.
Hinrichsen reported training on the new software is happening now. Hinrichsen continues to work on Fiscal Year End reports.
Kahler reported leaf pickup has begun and working on getting equipment ready for fall and winter.
Langerman moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 P.M.
Wayne Peach, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer