City Council – December 18, 2023

Posted: December 15, 2023 | Updated: December 27, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:       THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                    DECEMBER 18, 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: CARMAN, BOUSKA, FORTUNE, 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. Approval of Minutes from December 4, 2023
  4. Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) with Outdoor Service to Howard County

Agricultural Society d/b/a Mighty Howard County Fair — Howard County Expo Center

  1. Approval of Excavator License for:
    1. Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric, LLC
    2. Mehmert Tiling, Inc
    3. MB, Inc
  2. Approval of Tree Surgeon License for:
    1. Tarzan Tree Service, LLC
    2. Tim Walton Tree Service
    3. Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers, LLC
    4. Tree Doctor Services, LLC

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 ofthe agenda isfor 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 speakfrom the podium.)

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

  1. Set Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #2 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
  2. Review Bids for Snow Removal and Possible Motion to Award Contract
  3. Motion to Set the Interest Rate for Assessments on the Downtown Crosswalk

Reconstruction Project

  1. Discussion on Malek Drainage Pond
  2. Discuss Public Works Director Hiring Process

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 DECEMBER 15, 2023.

MINUTES

Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on December 18, 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 December 4, 2023; Class C Liquor License(LC) with outdoor services  to Howard County Agricultural Society d/b/a Mighty Howard County Fair – Howard County Expo Center;  Excavator Licenses for: Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric LLC, Mehmert Tiling Inc, MB Inc; Tree Surgeon Licenses for: Tarzan Tree Service LLC, Tim Walton Tree Service, Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers LLC, Tree Doctor Services LLC. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

City Clerk Elton reported: (a) have had several watermain breaks; (b) if you have not returned the Lead Service Line Inventory questionnaire, please return it to City Hall; (c) January meetings will be January 8th and 22nd; (d) in the next utility bills, there will be a flyer for the Rural Housing Assessment Grant. Surveys will be available online, the fitness center, library and City Hall; (e) met with Howard County Supervisors and will be preparing an easement for the fence at the yard waste site; (f) preparing an Intended Use Plan for the SRF loan with WHKS; (g) Ahlers and Cooney are helping with updating the Urban Renewal plan, TIF areas and will need an updated map; (h) busy with budget, budget amendment, calendar year-end reports.

Police Chief Ruroden reported they are still waiting for the new officer to start, pending pre-employment testing. The two new vehicles are waiting on getting equipment installed.

Bouska reported on the legislative forum at Upper Explorerland. She said it was very informative and encouraged attendance next year. She has also been analyzing the proposed Alliant increase. It is estimated that electricity at Fitness Center alone will increase $9,000 next year.

Carman reported there were over 9,000 entries for the Jingle in Your Pocket promotion for shopping locally. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new owner of Dough & Joe, Mary Hernandez, on January 11th at 10 am.

Fortune reported on upcoming events at the theatre. Events are booked through May 4th. December 19th Iowa Wresting Hall of Fame is showing the Dual Docuseries. Oneota Film Festival will be returning in January. There will be free movies for several of the local schools, dance recitals, and more. The Scene Shop Fundraiser committee will also be having several live events including dinner theatre and the Looney Lutherans.

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

Bouska made a motion to set a Public Hearing for January 8, 2024 for budget amendment #2 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Quotes were reviewed for snow removal at seven city locations for weekends and holidays when more there is more than four inches. One quote was received from Courtney Lawn and Snow for $95 per time for snow removal and $75 per time for salting. Bouska made a motion to approve the snow removal quote from Courtney Lawn and Snow pending verification that the quoted price is for all locations. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to set the interest rate for the Downtown Crosswalk Rehabilitation Project assessments at 5.1% which is 1% higher than the rate the City borrowed for the bond. Assessments can be paid interest-free within 30 days of the letter notifying them of their final assessment. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Brenno and Kriener have received complaints about erosion at the Malek Pond. Easements will be reviewed to see who is responsible for maintenance, erosion, and removing the sediment at the base of the pond.

Discussion was held regarding the Public Works Director position.

Mayor Brenno thanked Alex Fortune for his five years of service as a Council Member.

Fortune moved to adjourn at 5:58 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be January 8, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor David J. Brenno
City Clerk Michelle Elton

 

Documents

2023 City Council, City of Cresco Agendas, Minutes