City Council – April 3, 2023

Posted: March 31, 2023 | Updated: August 24, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   APRIL 3, 2023

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:  KRIENER, 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 Minutes from March 20, 2023
  1. Approval of Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) to Atomic Pizza Pub LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub
  2. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Steven Burke

 

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: (This portion of the agenda is for comments that are not related to one of the items listed on the agenda.  Comments can only be received. No formal action by the Council can be taken.    Those making public comments will be asked to state their name and address, and to speak from the podium.)

 

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

  1. Public Hearing for the Proposed Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
  2. Resolution Approving Maximum Property Tax Dollars for FYE June 30, 2024
  3. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into an Amended Professional Services Agreement with Dixon Engineering for the 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Rehabilitation Project
  4. Resolution Directing Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Costs for the 500,000 Gallon Toroellipse
  5. Daren Sikkink and Scott Huneke to Discuss Proposed 7th Street West Reconstruction Project
  6. Resolution Ordering Bids, Approving Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Notice to Bidders, Fixing Amount of Bid Security, and Ordering Clerk to Post Notice and Fixing a Date for Receiving Same, and for a Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Costs (for the 7th Street West Reconstruction)
  7. Park & FC Director Brandon Kerian to Discuss 24/7 Fitness Center Project
  8. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
  9. Motion to Award Contract for CDBG Owner Occupied Housing Rehab to Restyling Specialists Contingent on Executing Change Order #1
  10. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from Donald Rosonke
  11. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from Mary Lindell
  12. Set Public Hearing for the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
  13. Discuss Rate Increases for Potential Ordinance Amendments

 

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 MARCH 31, 2023.

 

MINUTES

Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 3, 2023, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fortune, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from March 20, 2023; Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) to Atomic Pizza Pub LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Steven Burke. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) two watermain breaks were repaired in the last two weeks; (b) yard waste pickup resumes April 17th. All yard waste bags need to be biodegradable; (c) CIT cleaned and televised the storm sewer on 2nd Ave W between 3rd and 4th St W. We will replace that section of storm sewer this summer because it was in such poor condition; (d) tree removal and culvert replacement has started on the bike trail project. The project will be completed over the next few months.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the March report. Warrants, charges and OWIs are up. Officers attended a narcotics training and a crisis intervention de-escalation training last week. Kriener questioned the speed limit signs on 3rd St W not working especially with the detour. The batteries will need to be replaced due to age. They will look into getting a flashing sign over by the school for the speed limit as well.

City Clerk Elton reported (a) eight tax abatements have expired this year and 42 are active with $4,054,580 in abated values; (b) bid opening is April 6th at 2:30 pm for the Downtown Crosswalk and the public hearing and award of contract will be April 17th; (c) we met with WHKS on setting up a storm utility enterprise fund. We will meet and draft a proposal to present to Council; (d) will begin bond rating procedures and drafting official statement with Piper Sandler and Ahlers & Cooney; (e) the Howard County Board of Supervisors would like to meet to discuss possible ways to save on budgets due to the legislative changes on April 24th at 4:00 pm.

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

Mayor Brenno opened the public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska made the motion to approve the Resolution Approving the Maximum Property Tax Dollars for FYE June 30, 2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an amended Professional Services Agreement with Dixon Engineering for the 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Rehabilitation Project. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution directing notice of public hearing on proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Rehabilitation Project for April 17, 2023. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Daren Sikkink and Scott Huneke presented an update on the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project. The storm sewer will now be routed down Highway 9 in the right-of-way and down Airport Road to the retention basin. All property owners that need an easement have been contacted and agreed to the project. The added cost is estimated to be $284,000 due to it being longer. Legal opinion was obtained from Ahlers & Cooney stating the proposed project is able to proceed.

McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution ordering bids, approving plans, specifications and form of contract and notice to bidders, fixing amount of bid security, and ordering the clerk to post notice and fixing a date for receiving same and for a public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project for May 1, 2023. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Park & Fitness Center Director Kerian updated Council on the 24/7 Fitness Center project. Current pledges are $162,000. Kerian applied for a $100,000 grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Grant awards will be announced in May. The committee has started to request quotes on new equipment, upgraded locking doors, and security system. Some of the equipment was purchased in 1997, so the new equipment is needed. The project goal is to be operational in Fall 2023. The FY24 budget has $30,000 to help fund the project. Phase II of the long-term goal is to either remove or reconstruct the back area of the Fitness Center/gymnasium and replace with a new, energy efficient building. Council encourages the development of Phase II to start looking at options due to concerns with the current heating system.

Hotel/Motel Tax of $4,984.41 was received this quarter with three applications received for $6,800. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants to: Wa-Tan-Ye $800 for their convention; Cresco Area Chamber $2,000 for family fun nights, and Howard County Agricultural Society $4,000 for 2023 advertising for the Howard County Fair. McConnell seconded. Fortune, Carman, McConnell and Kriener voted aye. Bouska abstained due to conflict of interest. The motion passed by majority vote.

Bouska made the motion to award a contract to Restyling Specialists from Garnavillo for $12,000 under the Owner-Occupied Housing CDBG Grant contingent on executing change order #1 reducing the contract to $8,500. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

A request from Donald Rosonke was reviewed for a sewer adjustment for a broken water pipe in the basement. City staff verified the broken pipe was located on the opposite side of the house from the floor drain. Bouska made the motion to approve a sewer credit of $504.80 for water not entering the sanitary sewer system. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

A request from Mary Lindell was reviewed for a sewer adjustment for outside water spicket getting turned on. The letter claimed the water was accidentally turned on by a garbage can hitting the valve. Widell verified that the valve turned very easily but unable to prove what happened. McConnell made the motion to approve a sewer adjustment of $680.70 for water not entering the sanitary sewer system. Kriener seconded. Bouska, Fortune, Kriener, and McConnell voted aye. Carman voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Bouska made a motion to set the Public Hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 for April 17, 2023. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held regarding amending the water and sewer rate ordinances. There are upcoming large projects for the sewer plant for aging equipment in the next five to ten years. There is some CDBG funding available to help pay for some of the aging equipment. The equipment has to be American made, and we will look at what will qualify and work on an application. Fortune made the motion to do a 4% increase on water rates and 6% on sewer rates. Capital Improvement fee will remain at $3.50. Bouska seconded. Fortune, McConnell, Carman and Bouska voted aye. Kreiner voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Carman moved to adjourn at 6:46 pm. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 17, 2023, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: David J. Brenno
City Clerk: Michelle Elton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documents

2023 City Council Agendas, Minutes