April 15, 2019

Posted: April 12, 2019 | Updated: October 5, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   APRIL 15, 2019

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 P.M. AT CRESCO CITY HALL

 

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED

GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE.    THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAID MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:

 

ROLL CALL:  BRENNO, McCARVILLE, FORTUNE, BOUSKA, CARMAN

 

ACT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the consent agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time council votes on the motion.

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Approval of Minutes from April 1, 2019
  1. Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Mark & Dana Kubik
  1. Approval of Class C Beer Permit (BC) and Class B Wine Permit with Sunday Sales to JAGDAMBE, LLC d/b/a Cresco Mart
  1. Approval of Special Class C Liquor License (BW) (Beer/Wine) with Sunday Sales and Outdoor Service to Atomic Pizza, LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub

 

STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

  1. Public Works
  2. Police
  3. Administration
  4. Committee Updates

 

BUSINESS:  There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Mark Kubik and Other Downtown Business Owners to Discuss Downtown Sidewalk Issues
  2. Alexandra & Richard Farmer to Discuss Chicken Ordinance
  3. Barbara Boyd to Discuss Removal of Mobile Home
  4. Motion to Waive the Demolition Permit Fee for City of Cresco Property Located at 321 4th Ave SW
  5. Motion to Waive the Demolition Permit Fee for City of Cresco Property Located at 218 5th Ave East
  6. Motion to Write Off Utility Bill per Purchase Agreement for Property Located at 218 5th Ave East
  7. Discuss Development Agreement or Sale of Property Located at 218 5th Ave East
  8. Motion to Discontinue the Credit for Running Water for Frozen Service Lines after the April 30, 2019 Bills
  9. Set Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 475 Pertaining to Water Rates
  10. Set Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 476 Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges
  11. Discuss Citywide Cleanup

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

CLOSED SESSION pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 ( j ) to Discuss Potential Purchase of Real Estate

 

OPEN SESSION

 

ADJOURN:

 

THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, CODE OF IOWA AND THE LOCAL RULES OF SAID GOVERNMENTAL BODY.  POSTED APRIL 12, 2019.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 15, 2019, at 7:00 pm at City Hall. Council Members Brenno, McCarville, Fortune, Bouska and Carman were present. No council members were absent.

Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the April 1, 2019 meeting; application for tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Mark & Danna Kubik; Class C Beer Permit (BC) and Class B Wine Permit with Sunday sales to JAGDAMBE, LLC d/b/a Cresco Mart; special Class C Liquor License (BW) (beer/wine) with Sunday sales and outdoor service to Atomic Pizza, LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Freidhof reported:  (a) busy sweeping streets and started the yard waste pickup route today; (b) we are receiving a $2,500 matching grant for boulevard trees from Alliant Energy. We ordered 55 trees for a cost of about $5,000; (c) 2nd Street East project weathered the winter well as the Proof Roll today shows it is firm. They will start pouring concrete tomorrow and hope to have it finished about mid-May; (d) tomorrow we will start demolishing the trailers we have titles for. Two trailers will be moved by the owners so the only one left will be Barbara Boyd’s.

Police Chief Ruroden reported that March was busy with traffic and ice and snow. Last week Cresco Police Officers, Iowa State Patrol, Cresco Fire Department, and the Ambulance Service performed a mock crash at the high school. It was very educational and a good reminder of the risks of drinking and driving before prom. The staff and students gave a lot of positive feedback. A guest speaker from Davenport did a phenomenal job talking to the students.

City Clerk Girolamo reported: (a) the County Assessor updated the tax abatement values so we are sending out letters to the eligible residents. We have eleven new tax abatements for next year. Currently we have 33 active tax abatements with eight expiring after this year; (b) evaluating water and sewer rates to determine the rate increase needed for next year; (c) with only two months left in this fiscal year, we are evaluating projects that haven’t been finished yet and will discuss with Department Heads to get them done; (d) one final amendment may be needed before yearend; (e) looking at creating a new trust fund for trees as businesses have come forward to sponsor and pay for treating ash trees in Beadle Park. A separate fund will enable us to track the revenue and expenses as treatment occurs over a ten year period; (f) applying for three grants to help pay for the demolition of the nuisance properties.

McCarville reported the Airport Commission met and discussed the land rental agreement and next year’s budget. They will contact Kirkham Michel regarding new hangars and what we can put up and what we can do ourselves to save money. They also reviewed their five year plan.

Library Director Kay reported they had Bob Tupy come in to repair concrete issues to alleviate problems with water getting into the building. They are looking at how to paint or repair the walls in the children’s amphitheater. The Genealogical Society has digitized old copies of the newspaper and are working on search engines and how to link them to the Library’s website.

The Park Board met and reported businesses around Beadle Park have committed to sponsoring treatment of eight ash trees over a ten year period. Kris Riley reported a group is looking at adding on to the Fitness Center to install a splash pad and Lazy River (rehabilitation pool) which Scott Thomson is interested in funding a large portion of the project. An informational meeting will be held May 21st at NICC conference room at 5:30 pm for interested patrons, Council and Park Board. Scott Thomson has also offered to pay for resurfacing the pool and spa.

Mark Kubik and Roy Gorter addressed the Council regarding their desire to replace their sidewalk downtown. Phil Henry will also probably replace his sidewalk at the same time. The curb and gutter are in poor shape and they were wondering if the City Council would work with them and replace the crosswalks and curb and gutter at the same time. Council was concerned with the cost to the City due to requirements to meet ADA requirements. The estimated cost to the City was about $300,000 in 2017 to replace crosswalks and ADA compliance downtown. Council will look at eliminating some of the crosswalks and do the project in stages. Roy suggested assessing the project to the business owners. Council will look at the sidewalks and curbs and discuss the issue again at the May 6th meeting. Bouska mentioned that residential sidewalks were also in poor condition and should also be addressed.

Richard Farmer asked the Council to consider changing the Cresco Ordinance to allow laying hens within the city limits. The Council will look at other cities’ ordinances and consider changing it with a permit required. No roosters will be allowed.

Barbara Boyd’s application for a grant to move her double-wide trailer was denied. She is now requesting the Council to help. Council asked Rod and Jason Passmore to get a quote for moving it and looking at options.

Bouska made the motion to waive the Demolition Permit fee for City of Cresco property located at 321 4th Ave SW. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

McCarville made the motion to waive the Demolition Permit fee for City of Cresco property located at 218 5th Ave East. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno made the motion to write off the utility bill of $426.58 per Purchase Agreement for property located at 218 5th Ave East. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed whether to do a Development Agreement or have a sale of property located at 218 5th Ave East. A public hearing will be scheduled so if there are any other interested parties for building a house on this property this would give them a chance to submit their proposals to Council. Bouska made the motion to proceed with a Development Agreement with Wemark unless other proposals are presented at the public hearing. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fortune made the motion to discontinue the credit for running water for frozen service lines after the April 30, 2019 utility bills. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

McCarville made the motion to set the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 475 pertaining to water rates for May 6, 2019. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to set the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 476 pertaining to sewer service charges for May 6, 2019. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed whether to pay for a city-wide cleanup this year or to discontinue doing this due to problems in the past and the rising costs to the City and the residents. Hawkeye Sanitation will pick up big items by scheduling it and paying for the service by individual residents. McCarville made the motion to schedule a Toxic Waste disposal after July 1, 2019. Bouska seconded and passed all ayes.

Mayor asked for comments from the audience. Brad Burke invited the City Council and the public to a Chamber ribbon cutting for the FIT Running Club at Burke Auction Service building on April 24, 2019 at 5:30 pm. They will also present donation checks from the Brew & Stew to the Cresco Fire Fighters and the Howard County EMS. A social run/walk will follow at 6 pm. They will have weekly group runs/walks Sunday afternoons at 1 pm.

Jason Passmore thanked everyone who attended the Howard County Business & Tourism banquet. Dan Gable presented an entertaining speech. The new Beadle Park marquee will be installed when the weather gets nice. They have been working with the statues in town. A request from John & Nancy Schmauss was received to install one in the boulevard in front of Cresco Bank & Trust they are donating in memory of Todd Schmauss next to the tree planted in his recognition. Council was in favor of allowing it but noted some statues need some work on the bases. Kiwanis Club has been maintaining them the past year. Dale and Mary Ellen Turnmire started them more than 15 years ago and maintained them. Jason suggested the Council come up with a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the trailer park. Everyone agreed to let the developers propose plans for development of the property for multi-residential housing. A work session was scheduled for April 24, 2019 at 6 pm to draft the RFP or at least come up with a timeline.

The property owner was not present so the Council did not go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (j) to discuss potential purchase of real estate.

Carman moved to adjourn at 8:15 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.  The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2019 City Council Agendas, Minutes