City Council – August 19, 2024 – Agenda & Minutes

Posted: August 16, 2024 | Updated: October 2, 2024

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   AUGUST 19, 2024

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:  CARMAN, BOUSKA, FOSAAEN, McCONNELL, KRIENER

 

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. Minutes from August 5, 2024
  4. Approval of Street Closing for a Halloween Themed 5K on October 26, 2024 for Portions of 3rd Ave East between 3rd St East and 4th St East; and Parade Route for the 5K Walk/Run Event for Portions of 3rd Ave East, 8th St East, York St, 7th Ave East, 9th St East, 8th Ave East, and 2nd St East
  1. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of 3rd St East, 1st Ave East, Beadle Park, North Elm St, North Park Pl, and 2nd Ave East for a Eucharistic Procession on September 15, 2024
  1. Approval of Street Closing for Color Fun Run/Walk on August 23, 2024 for Portions of 1st Ave West; and Parade Route for the Walk/Run Event for Portions of 1st Ave West, 8th St East, 3rd Ave East, and North Elm St

 

 

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 Rezoning Property from M-1 to C-2
  2. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 514 which Amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Zoning Change for 114 7th Street West
  3. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 515 which Amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Zoning Change for 101 7th St Southwest
  4. Resolution Waiving the Second and Third Reading and Consideration of Ordinance Number 515 for a Zoning Change for 101 7th St Southwest
  5. Approval of Ordinance No. 515 Rezoning 101 7th St Southwest from M-1 to C-2 in the City of Cresco, Iowa
  6. Oath of Office for Patrol Officer Douglas Eagan
  7. Resolution Setting Dates of a Public Hearing on a Proposed 2024 Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Cresco Urban Renewal Area in the City of Cresco, State of Iowa
  8. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Apply for a Construction Loan with the State Revolving Fund
  9. Set Public Hearing for Rezoning Property from C-1 to R-2
  10. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance 512 which Amends Chapter 91 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Pertaining to Water Meters
  11. Motion to Approve the Updated Credit Card Policy
  12. Discuss 7th Street West Project and Retention Basin
  13. Discuss Parking Lot Snow Removal
  14. Discuss Nuisance Properties, Ordinance, and Budget
  15. Recommendation of the Library Board to Appoint Janann Meyer for a Term Expiring 6/30/2026 (to Replace Trish Johnson)
  16. Recommendation of the Park Board to Appoint Leigh Myers for a Term Expiring 6/30/2027

 

 

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 16, 2024.

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR REZONING

 

 

You are hereby notified that the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, will hold a Public Hearing on the 19th day of August, 2024, in Council Chambers at City Hall. At this meeting, the Council proposes to Re-Zone property from M-1 Light Industrial District to C-2 Central Business Commercial District. The legal description is:  Lot 2-A, Lot 1-1-2, Lot 2-7, and Lot 2 of 2 & 100’ RRROW IR Surv SE & Lot 2 of 7 SW, Howard County, Iowa.

 

This hearing will be conducted during the regular Cresco City Council Meeting starting at 5:30 pm

August 19, 2024.

 

Any resident of Cresco wishing to be heard concerning the reasons for, or objections to, the proposed changes to the zoning Code, must appear at said hearing and voice your opinions in person or in writing.

 

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

 

______________________

Nicole Hill

City Clerk

 

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on August 19, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, Bouska, McConnell, and Kriener 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 the August 5, 2024 meeting; street closing for Halloween themed 5K event on October 26, 2024 for portions of 3rd Ave East; and parade route for the 5K walk/run event for portions of 3rd Ave East, 8th St East, York St, 7th Ave East, 9th St East, 8th Ave East, and 2nd St East; parade permit for portions of 3rd St East, 1st Ave East, Beadle Park, North Elm St, North Park Pl, and 2nd Ave East for an Eucharistic Procession on September 15, 2024; street closing for Color Fun Run/Walk event on August 23, 2024 for portions of 1st Ave West; and parade route for the 5K walk/run event for portions of 1st Ave West, 8th St East, 3rd Ave East, and North Elm St. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) chipsealing and painting will be finished up this week. We may repaint the crosswalks on North Elm St; (b) manhole repairs on Highway 9 are complete; (c) will be chipping the brush pile this fall. Looking at options to possibly relocate the yardwaste site and are exploring purchasing some acres outside of City limits if any are available.

Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report for the police department.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) July financials were included in the packet; (b) working on the Annual Financial Report and budget amendment; (c) there are 86 non-response and 234 unknowns remaining for the Lead Service Line Inventory. The Water Dept has started to knock on doors to verify the unknown responses. They will begin to post non-response this week for shut off; (d) Scott Thomson and Brandon will be working with Nagle Signs to see if the Beadle Park sign can be repaired; (e) Wendy met with Martin Gardner and WHKS for the Scene Shop Project. Anticipating opening bids in January. A more detailed time frame will be available this fall; (f) Street Dept will be selling a 1997 Ford dump truck at an upcoming auction at Davis Corners; (g) reminder that due to Labor Day the next meeting will be Wednesday, September 4th.

McConnell reported that the Park Board met and conducted interviews for the Park Board vacancy. They will be applying for a Community Foundation Grant for the building project. He presented an update from Emergent Architecture on the building project. Memberships are up to 813. Working on updating the locker rooms.

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

Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing to rezone property from M-1 to C-2. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended Council to approve the rezoning. Andy Lensing, Assistant to the Howard County Engineer, explained that current engineers building and sign shed may be moved to a different location on their property and an old barn may be removed. There would be a new building put up in a similar area to the current building. The current zoning requires a 45’ setback. By rezoning it to commercial, it would allow them to build at a 30’ setback with a 5’ awning and allow access between the buildings for equipment to pass through

Bouska made the motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 514 amending Chapter 165 of  the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by rezoning 114 7th St West to C-2 from M-1. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 515 amending Chapter 165 of  the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by rezoning 101 7th St Southwest to M-1 from C-2. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve the resolution waiving the second and third readings and consideration of Ordinance No. 515 for rezoning 101 7th St Southwest. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 515 for rezoning 101 7th St Southwest from M-1 to C-2. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Douglas Eagan.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution setting dates for a Public Hearing on a Proposed 2024 Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Cresco Urban Renewal Area in the City of Cresco, State of Iowa. The public hearing will be September 4, 2024 at 5:30 pm.  McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill updated Council on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Aging Equipment Project. WHKS planning and design fees were $15,700 less than expected. The design portion of the loan will be lower, but the construction portion of the loan will be higher. The total loan amount will  be $1,950,000. McConnell made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to apply for a Construction loan through the Iowa State Revolving Fund. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to set a Public Hearing for September 4, 2024 for Rezoning Property from C-1 to R-2 Light Density Residential District at 321 Vernon Rd. The current zoning requires a 45’ setback. By rezoning it to R-2 , it would allow them to build at a 25’ setback and allow the additional condos to be nearly identical to the ones across the street. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of proposed Ordinance 512 which amends Chapter 91 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pertaining to water meters. Bouska made the motion to approve the second reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve the updated credit card policy increasing the limit on the Police Department credit card from $2,000 to $4,000. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno updated Council on the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project. There is a storm sewer that comes off of Highway 9 that seems to have a steady stream of water, so it does not allow the grass to grow. WHKS and Gen X suggest adding an additional field tile to help dry the area. The retention basin seems to be holding water longer than anticipated, possibly due to being packed too tight. Looking at options to have it corrected. Kriener questioned the remaining piles of dirt and rock. Howard County is still taking some of the fill, and it will need to be spread out when the project is completed. There is concern about the quality of the area for crops, but other options such as solar and a pollinator area will be explored.

Brenno explained to Council that during snow events, the Street Department hauls an estimated 15-20 loads of snow due to snow being pushed onto city lots and streets. Each load takes about 20 minutes to haul for City staff. Several other cities work with properties owners, and for a fee, allow them to plow onto the street and have the City remove it. Brenno will work with Dean and property owners to see what the best option would be.

Brenno presented some options to update nuisance ordinance. He explained that currently it is required to mail the notice by certified mail. Sometimes it takes 4-5 weeks to get the unclaimed letter returned. He would like to update the method of delivery to give alternative options to help speed up the process. He would also like to have a habitual offender added to the ordinance for properties that frequently violate the nuisance ordinance. Council would like the ordinance updated to reflect these changes. Hill explained that the current nuisance budget is $8,000. Due to being proactive in trying to address nuisance, it may need to be increased. Council was in favor of increasing the budget to $13,000 in the next budget amendment.

Bouska made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Library Board of Trustees to appoint Janann Meyer for a term expiring 6/30/26 to replace Trish Johnson. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Park Board to appoint Leigh Myers for a term expiring 6/30/27. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:26 pm. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be September 4, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2024 City Council Agendas, Minutes