August 16, 2021

Posted: August 12, 2021 | Updated: August 29, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   AUGUST 16, 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 August 2, 2021
  1. Approval of Permit for Notre Dame 5K Glow Run for the Bike Trail and Crossing 1st Ave East on September 11, 2021

 

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. Third Reading of Ordinance No. 491 Vacating a Portion of Fourth Avenue Southwest
  2. Approval of Ordinance No. 491 Vacating a Portion of Fourth Avenue Southwest
  3. Resolution Providing for the Vacation of a Portion of Fourth Avenue Southwest
  4. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from Ron Downing
  5. Bill Caffrey Annual Update on Fitness Center, Parks, and Recreation
  6. Recognition of Bill Caffrey’s Retirement and 29 Years of Service
  7. Discuss Library Board Recommendations for Changes to the Structure of the Library Board of Trustees and Proposed Ballot Items
  8. Discuss Development Agreement for the IEDA Community Catalyst and Building Remediation Grant for Vernon Springs Brewery Company
  9. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Engagement Letter for Vernon Springs Brewing Company, LLC Development Agreement with Ahlers & Cooney, PC
  10. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Catalyst and Building Remediation Grant for the Vernon Springs Brewing Company, LLC
  11. Motion to Pledge $8,000 to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for Iowa Finance Authhority Funding Application
  12. Recommendation of the Airport Commission to Appoint William Ross Merritt III for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2024
  13. Motion to Waive the Building Permit Fee for the City of Cresco Gravel Shed
  14. Resolution Establishing a Fund within the City’s Accounts – Fund #323 ARPA Grant Project Fund
  15. Motion to Change the Next Council Meeting to September 8, 2021 due to the Labor Day Holiday
  16. Discuss WWTP Fence Project
  17. Discuss Enforcement of Shared Service Lines and Non-Operational Shut-Offs
  18. Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic

 

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 AUGUST 12, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on August 16, 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 August 2, 2021 council meeting; permit for Notre Dame 5K Glow Run for the bike trail and crossing 1st Ave East on September 11, 2021. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported (a) repair of 3rd Street SW will be done this week. They plan to keep the northbound lane open and detour the southbound traffic only; (b) chipsealing will begin again next week; (c) stumps have been ground up from tree removals and storm damages; (d) yardwaste pick up is done until October, so residents cannot leave branches and yardwaste on the boulevard; (e) Water Department is busy with normal activities and mowing; (f) a tree fell on the fence at the wastewater plant in the storm and also a controller at the Industrial Park lift station was damaged so both should be covered by insurance; (g) WHKS is still working on the Hydraulic Study for 7th St W.

City Clerk Elton reported (a) the City has received some donations for ash tree treatments and tree trimming. Everyone appreciates Wilson Custom Tree and the Crestwood football players for donating their time and efforts in cleaning up storm damage and trees in the parks for Cresco’s Cleanup Day; (b) financial reports were presented; (c) September 2nd is the NEIRHTF annual meeting in Postville; (d) a worksession for the Capital Improvement Plan with Pat Callahan will be September 30th at 4 pm; (e) election papers must be turned in for the two council positions and mayor August 23rd – September 16th to the Howard County Auditor.

Carman stated the Library Board met and reported earning $1,200 from the Book Fair. The Storywalk project is progressing and a temporary launch will be held August 27th during the Harvest Fest celebration.

McConnell reported the Airport Commission is recommending Ross Merritt to fill the vacant position on the Commission. They discussed the approved grant, using existing funds for repairs, hangar requests needing specs and long-term leases, Cresco Motors’ installation of solar panels, farmland lease, and a request for installing storage bins on airport property with a long-term lease.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.

Bohle performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 491 vacating a portion of 4th Avenue Southwest. Bouska made a motion to approve the third reading. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. Brenno made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 491. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made a motion to approve the resolution providing for the vacation of a portion of 4th Avenue Southwest. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Ron Downing explained that he forgot to shut off the outside faucet and the hose sprung a leak. Based on past history, requests have been denied if negligence, rather than a break out of the property owner’s control, caused the leak. Bouska made a motion to deny the request for a sewer credit. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bill Caffrey gave an annual update on the Fitness Center, Parks, and Recreation. The financials took a hit with COVID affecting all recreational and rental revenues. He presented a list of completed projects and potential projects for the future. The East Park Bleacher Project donations are over $70,000, which is well over the estimate. This has allowed us to complete the project with landscaping and a new concession stand. The Kessel Dugout project is an Eagle Scout project and is funded with a Howard County Community Foundation Grant and a grant from Alvin and Karen Voyna Foundation. Ash Tree removals and treatments are continuing as well as planting new trees. Brandon Kerian reported he is working on projects for the CIP including the HVAC system, roof replacement, pool efficiency upgrades, and tennis/pickleball courts.

The Mayor and Council thanked Bill for his 29+ years of service. Bill was grateful for all the community support and working together with other City employees from all departments.

The Library Board has requested additional changes for the structure of the Library Board of Trustees to be added as one Public Measure to be voted on at the City election in November.  A request to add an at-large member to allow more than just one person to be from outside the City limits was denied by Council due to the City taxpayers funding 80% of the Library budget while Howard County is only funding 14%. The Council requested that the Library Board do some publicity showing they are in favor of the changes and encouraging the voters to vote yes. The changes will keep the Library Board consistent with the structure of the other City’s Boards and Commissions. Brenno made the motion to approve revising the Public Measure as recommended by the Library Board except that each of the three items should be voted on separately and removing the at-large request. The three Public Measures would include reducing the number from nine to seven members, reducing the terms from six to three years, and limiting members to three consecutive terms. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Elton explained that a Development Agreement between the City and Vernon Springs Brewing Company will need to be prepared including any incentives. Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Engagement Letter for Vernon Springs Brewing Company, LLC Development Agreement with Ahlers & Cooney, PC. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Pat Gooder and Chris Gooder informed the Council of their business plan for the Brewery. They feel COVID was a blessing in disguise as they have revised their plan three times. It has now been upgraded to include a coffee bar and a restaurant in addition to the eight beers that will be brewed inhouse. All products will be craft types with many items unique to their business. The extra time has allowed them to make many changes and improvements to their plan and to apply for grants and funding. The unfortunate result is the increasing cost of equipment and materials. Once the financial funding is secured, construction will begin and the equipment will be ordered which has a lead time of about five months for delivery. Council will schedule a tour to see the proposed layout of the building. Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Catalyst and Building Remediation Grant for the Vernon Springs Brewing Company, LLC. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to pledge $8,000 to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for Iowa Finance Authority Funding Application for calendar year 2022. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Airport Commission to appoint William Ross Merritt III for a term of three years expiring 6/30/2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made a motion to waive the building permit fee for the City of Cresco gravel shed. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution establishing a fund within the City’s accounts – Fund #323 ARPA Grant Project Fund. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to change the next Council meeting to September 8, 2021 due to the Labor Day Holiday. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

The wastewater treatment plant has a chain link fence surrounding the facility that needs replacing on two sides. A locking gate will be installed at the top of the hill. Estimated cost could be $80,000 – $100,000 including electrical work, tree removals, security light, and camera. McConnell made the motion to get quotes for the project. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Widell inquired whether the Council wanted to enforce the City Ordinance requiring water shutoffs to be in working condition and to require shared service lines to be split and individually tapped into the watermain with a functioning shutoff valve. Fortune made the motion to enforce the ordinance. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman reported the Cresco Medical Clinic is still giving vaccines and appointments can be made online or by calling the clinic. Dr. Jensen posted an informational video on the RHS Facebook page giving the facts about vaccines. Visitors are being limited in the clinic and hospital and face coverings are required. The Community call is resuming August 17th at 2 pm.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:43 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Elton

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes