Posted: January 5, 2024 | Updated: January 18, 2024
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JANUARY 8, 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.
- Approval of the Agenda
- Approval of the Claims
- Approval of Minutes from December 18, 2023
- Approval of Minutes from December 18, 2023 Budget Worksession
- Approval of Minutes from December 22, 2023 Special Meeting
- Approval of Minutes from December 28, 2023 Special Meeting
- Approval of Minutes from January 3, 2024 Special Meeting
- Approval of Excavator License for:
- Skyline Construction, Inc
- Mudslingers, Inc
- Approval of Tree Surgeon License for:
- Total Tree Care, LLC
STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Works
- Police
- Administration
- 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.
- Public Hearing on Budget Amendment has been postponed
- Set New Date for Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #2 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
- Oath of Office for Patrol Officer Dalton Rush
- Paul Lovell with Clean Energy Districts of Iowa to Discuss Alliant Rate Increase
- Resolution Opposing Alliant Energy’s Electric Rate Increase
- Motion to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
- Approval of Pay Request #6 (Final) for $11,800.80 to Wicks Construction, Inc for the Downtown Crosswalk Project
- Resolution Accepting the Downtown Crosswalk Reconstruction
- Resolution Ordering Preparation of Final Plat and Schedule of Assessments for the Downtown Crosswalk Reconstruction
- Review Final Assessment Plat & Schedule
- Resolution Adopting and Levying Final Schedule of Assessments, and Providing for the Payment Thereof for the Downtown Crosswalk Reconstruction
- Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from Matt Johnson
- Discuss 7th Street West Reconstruction Project
- Motion to Award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants for Tourism Projects
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $20,000 Payment to Howard County Business & Tourism in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $8,000 Payment to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- Mayor to Appoint Mayor Pro-Tem
- Appoint Council Members to Committees
- Discuss Fence at Yardwaste Site
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 JANUARY 5, 2024.
MINUTES
Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on January 8, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fosaaen, and Kriener were present. Council Member McConnell was absent.
Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the December 18, 2023 meeting and budget worksession; minutes from December 22nd and 28th special meetings, and January 3rd, 2024 special meeting; Excavator License for Skyline Construction and Mudslingers, Inc; Tree Surgeon License for Total Tree Care, LLC. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
City Clerk Hill reported (a) there have been six watermain breaks so far this year; (b) Street Department has been busy clearing trees at the yardwaste site and getting ready for snow. Residents are reminded not to push snow onto neighbor’s property and not to pile it within 20 feet of the intersections; (c) Sewer Department will be meeting with WHKS this week for the Aging Equipment; (d) reminder the next Council meeting will be January 22nd; (e) W-2 forms have been distributed; (f) working on 1099 forms and other year-end reports.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the December Police report showing 4,190 calls for the year. Harassment and accident calls are up. Police Officer Dalton Rush started on January 8th and they have started advertising for Officer Hillyer’s position. They are still waiting to get equipment installed on the two new vehicles and will also need to get a recall repaired on them.
Bouska reminded the public to fill out the Rural Housing Assessment questionnaire. Flyers were sent out with the utility bills and paper copies are available at City Hall, the Fitness Center, and Library. All residents, business owners, employees, and visitors to Cresco are encouraged to fill it out. The website is https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_54HuVv21mue4H6S and will be available until January 31st.
Mayor Brenno asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Brenno recognized two employees with service anniversaries in January and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Blake Welper – Police Dept 2 years; Cody Courtney – Street Dept 13 years.
The scheduled Public Hearing for the budget amendment had to be rescheduled due to publication date issues.
Bouska made a motion to set a Public Hearing for January 22, 2024 for budget amendment #2 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Oath of Office for Officer Rush will be at the January 22nd meeting.
Paul Lovell, the Executive Director of the Howard County Energy District, spoke on behalf of the Clean Energy District of Iowa (CEDI) and the proposed Alliant Energy increase. Alliant is proposing an increase over a two-year period of 13% for residential customers and 20% for businesses and municipalities. The proposed increase would be the sixth increase since 2004. The estimated increase to the City of Cresco is $21,000 per year with the largest impact being to the Fitness Center, Library, and Theatre because those sites don’t have solar. CEDI is requesting the City to pass a resolution to oppose the increase, to join the coalition, and to contribute to the coalition to assist with legal costs.
Fosaaen made the motion to approve a resolution opposing Alliant Energy’s electric rate increase. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. Bouska encouraged residents and business owners to write to the Iowa Utilities Board to oppose the increase as well. Information on how to contact the IUB is in the Cresco Times Plain Dealer article regarding the increase.
CEDI would like a contribution to pay 5% of the estimated Alliant increase to CEDI to assist with legal efforts against the increase. A 28E agreement will be needed and the Memorandum of Agreement with CEDI was tabled until the agreement is ready. Carman made a motion to prepare a 28E agreement to join the coalition and use $1,050 public funds to support the effort to oppose the Alliant Energy increase. Kriener seconded. Kriener, Carman, and Fosaaen voted aye. Bouska abstained due to conflict of interest. The motion passed by majority vote.
Kriener made the motion to approve Pay Request #6 (final) for $11,800.80 to Wicks Construction, Inc for the Downtown Crosswalk Reconstruction. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
WHKS submitted a notification of project completion for the Downtown Reconstruction. They recommend the Council accept the project construction and authorize final payment to the contractor. Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution accepting work on the Downtown Reconstruction. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve the resolution ordering preparation of the final plat and schedule of assessments for the Downtown Reconstruction. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Final Plat and Schedule of Assessments for Downtown Reconstruction project was reviewed. Final expenses were more than the preliminary assessment figures. The affected property owners’ assessments will remain the same, however the City’s cost is $514,640.44 higher than the preliminary estimate. A notice will be published twice and letters will be mailed to the property owners giving them 30 days to pay. Unpaid assessments will be added to the property taxes to be repaid over ten years with 5.1% interest.
Carman made the motion to approve the resolution adopting and levying final schedule of assessments, and providing for the payment thereof. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to approve a sewer adjustment of $98.41 for water not entering the sanitary sewer system for Matt Johnson. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Discussion was held on traffic on 7th Street West. Brenno and Kriener met with Generation X Construction and placed several concrete jersey barricades on the north and south ends of the project. On 2nd Ave W, signs will be placed for road closed, but staggered so residents, fire, and EMS can still get to the properties. Additional signage will be placed on alleys to indicate that 7th St W is closed to traffic.
Hotel/Motel Tax of $9,803.33 was received this quarter. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee and award grants to: HC Business & Tourism for 2023 Non-Profit Marketing Support $3,000; Driftrunners Snowmobile Club $3,750 for Snowfest. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Jason Passmore with Howard County Business & Tourism explained all of the services they offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Cresco and Howard County. The 28E Agreement with Howard County Business & Tourism states that funding will be used for advancing economic and community development and improving tourism in Howard County and the City of Cresco. Bouska made a motion to authorize the $20,000 payment to Howard County Business & Tourism and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
The 28E Agreement with Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund states that funding will be used for providing access to well-maintained, safe, and affordable housing for individuals and families with limited resources in Northeast Iowa. Carman made a motion to authorize the $8,000 payment to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Brenno appointed Amy Bouska as the Mayor Pro-Tem.
Council Members were appointed to committees and board liaisons as follows: Public Works – Kriener, Fosaaen, PWD, Hill, Brenno; Fire – McConnell, Kriener, Brenno; Tourism – Bouska, Carman; CIDC – McConnell, Brenno; Chamber – Carman; HCED – Bouska; Revolving Loan – Hill; IRP – Kriener, Brenno; Park & Rec – McConnell; Library – Carman; Theatre – Fosaaen; Airport – McConnell, PWD; Board of Adjustments – PWD; Planning & Zoning – PWD; Public Safety – Brenno; Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority Board – Bouska; Housing Committee – Bouska.
Hill explained the Howard County Supervisors and their Attorney were concerned about doing a permanent easement for the yardwaste site. Council is willing to do an easement or accept the property from Howard County in order to install a fence around the property.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:18 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be January 22, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor David J Brenno
City Clerk Nicole Hill