April 5, 2021

Posted: April 2, 2021 | Updated: August 29, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   APRIL 5, 2021

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             5:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 130 N PARK PLACE

 

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, McCONNELL, 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 March 22, 2021
  1. Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with Catering Privilege and Sunday Sales to McAllister Catering LLC d/b/a McAllister Catering
  2. Approval of Applications for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for:
    1. Todd & Gena Ollendieck
    2. Prime Management and Development
    3. Donald & Lois Recker
    4. Kent Boyer
    5. Alan & Roxann Vokaty
  3. Approval of Street Closing for Portions of 2nd Ave West for an 80’s Block Party Event with Atomic Pizza and Other Local Businesses for the Cresco Theatre on July 17, 2021
  4. Approval of Owner Occupied Housing Contractor Request for Partial Payment #1 for $9,759.00 for Roy Prestsater

 

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

 

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

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

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

 

  1. Motion to Award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants for Tourism Projects
  2. Discuss the Tax Abatement Program under the Urban Revitalization Plan
  3. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Intent to Support an Application with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program Grant for the Vernon Springs Brewery Company
  4. Mayor to Proclaim the Month of April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  5. Resolution Directing Alliant Energy to Install a Street Light South of 3rd Ave SW
  6. Discuss Bike Trail Repair of Retaining Wall
  7. Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic

 

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 2, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 5, 2021, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Brenno, McConnell, 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 from March 22, 2021 meeting; Class C Liquor License (LC) (commercial) with catering privilege and Sunday sales to McAllister Catering LLC d/b/a McAllister Catering; applications for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for: Todd & Gena Ollendieck, Prime Management and Development, Donald & Lois Recker, Kent Boyer, Alan & Roxann Vokaty; street closing for portions of 2nd Ave West for an 80’s Block Party event with Atomic Pizza and other local businesses for the Cresco Theatre on July 17, 2021; Owner Occupied Housing Contractor Request for partial payment #1 for $9,759.00 for Roy Prestsater. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) awarded a $3000 grant from Alliant Energy for planting trees. We were one of 45 communities to receive the grant statewide. I have sent out quote letters to a couple of nurseries and we are working on the boulevard tree list. Arbor Day is Friday April 30 and I would guess it will be a small event again this year due to COVID-19; (b) Sewer Dept reminds everyone to be mindful of dumping grease down drains. We have had issues with sewer mains becoming clogged with grease and backing up private service lines. If a property is found to be in violation of dumping fats, grease, or oils, we will bill for the cost of cleaning our main as well as other costs residents may incur from their service line backing up due to the grease; (c) Street Dept is working on alleys, getting pot holes filled, and adding rock; (d) busy with a wide variety of building permits; (e) Ben Hayek’s last day with the City was April 1st. He had a different opportunity come up and we wish him the best with his new job; (f) reminder that it is illegal to sweep or rake debris into the street or alley.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the monthly police report. Ben Hillyer has finished three weeks at the Academy and is doing well. Other officers are busy with trainings.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the Iowa Legislature is still passing several bills including a bill eliminating the commercial backfill. We will go from $60,000 to zero over six years. Also included in that bill is an Elderly Property Tax Credit that will be available for residents over 70 years old and will directly reduce the City’s property tax revenue; (b) The American Rescue Plan has been approved so the City may receive about a half million dollars over two years. They are still coming out with the restricted uses, reporting requirements, and final allocation numbers; (c) working on water and sewer rates and also a budget amendment; (d) the City received $12,000 in Howard County Community Foundation Grants for: Kessel Park Dugouts $3,000, Fire Station walk-in doors and concrete $7,500, and Police National Night Out $1,500.

Bouska reported the Howard County Housing Committee had a meeting but not much to report.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. Jason Passmore reported the Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be April 21st. Food will be prepared by McAllister and is available for curbside pickup or delivery. Call the Chamber to order. June 3rd will be the first Family Fun Night at the Fairgrounds with an outdoor movie.

Hotel/Motel Tax of $6,173.86 was received this quarter with five applications received for $7,500. Brenno made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grant to: Howard County Business & Tourism (HCB&T) $1,000 for a Norman Borlaug/Agriculture Mural; HCB&T and Chamber $1,000 for Family Fun Nights; Cresco Wildlife Club $1,000 for Clubhouse air conditioning; Howard County Fair $3,500 for marketing. The request from CRICCET, for the Ecumenical Choir for an Immigrants Cantata was declined but encouraged to reapply with updated details and fundraising efforts. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

The City’s tax abatement plan under the Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan was discussed. The current plan was first established in 2008 and amended in 2011 and 2016. The plan will expire December 31, 2021 unless it is amended again. Jason Passmore shared information regarding incentive programs that neighboring cities are doing to encourage new building and improvements to existing properties. The City Clerk will verify the maximum amounts allowed by Iowa Code. Council will discuss options at the next meeting.

Jason Passmore reported that the initial application was approved which now allows Vernon Springs Brewery Company to apply for a grant. The City would need to approve a letter of intent to support the application and to agree to be the fiscal agent if the grant is awarded. Pat and Chris Gooder explained their business plan for the Brewery which will include a full coffee bar, restaurant, live entertainment, and seating for 120 people. They want to work with existing businesses and be a draw for the community. Fortune made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Intent to support an application with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program Grant for the Vernon Springs Brewery Company. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

The Mayor read a Proclamation to proclaim the month of April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Bouska made the motion to approve the Proclamation. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution directing Alliant Energy to install a street light south of 3rd Ave SW. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Widell reported a portion of the retaining wall by the bike trail has collapsed. The wall had been erected as a memorial wall by the UAW. We are working with the UAW and Jeff Korsmo for possible solutions.

Carman read a statement from Regional Health Services regarding COVID vaccinations. Appointments are required for anyone aged 18 years or older and are on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a drive-thru at the Fairgrounds of about 600 doses. Appointments can be made online at www.rhshc.com or their Facebook page. Currently Howard County has fully vaccinated 1,075 and given 1,554 first-time shots.

Mayor Bohle thanked the Boy Scouts for attending the meeting and asked if they had any questions. One asked why a roll-call vote is taken on every item. Votes must be recorded individually per Iowa Code. Another Scout commented that a light pole is leaning badly near the Lindstrom Funeral Home. This is an Alliant electrical pole and is not a city-owned pole.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:01 pm. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 19, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes