City Council – July 10, 2023

Posted: August 3, 2023 | Updated: August 3, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JULY 10, 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 June 19, 2023
  4. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Sara & Gary Gooder

 

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. Michelle Barness and Aaron Detter with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission to Present Proposal for Comprehensive Plan Update
  2. Jim Holz with MSA To Present Proposal for Comprehensive Plan Update
  3. Jason Passmore to Discuss Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program and Possible Motion to Apply
  4. Jason Passmore to Update Changes to Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest and Ridiculous Day Locations and Approval of Permits:
    1. Approval of Street Closing Permit for Portions of North Elm Street, North Park Place, South Park Place, and 2nd Avenue West for Ridiculous Day on July 27, 2023
    2. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of 3rd Avenue East and 2nd Street East for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on August 26, 2023
    3. Approval of Street Closing Permit for Portions of North Elm Street, North Park Place, South Park Place, 1st Avenue East and 2nd Avenue West for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest on August 26, 2023
    4. Approval of Street Closing Permit for a Portion of North Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 25-August 27, 2023 and the Southside Parking Lot August 23-August 27, 2023
  5. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Ren Properties LLC
  6. Discuss Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Catalyst Grant Award for the Theatre Scene Shop and Possible Motion to Accept the Grant and Proceed with Project
  7. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2024 (July Transfers)
  8. Review Quotes for Excavation Contract for July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 and Possible Award of Contract
  9. Discuss New Website and Posting of Council Packets
  10. Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $3,888 Payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
  11. Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $1,250 Payment to Helping Services in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
  12. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
  13. Recommendation of Boards and Commissions to Appoint Members for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2026:
    1. Library Board of Trustees to Appoint Trish Johnson (to Replace Mark Kissinger)
    2. Library Board of Trustees to Appoint Pamela Kranzler (to Replace Felicia Pecinovsky)

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 JULY 7, 2023.

 

MINUTES

Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on July 10, 2023, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fortune, 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 June 19, 2023; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Sara & Gary Gooder. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) the 7th Street Reconstruction and Downtown Crosswalk Projects have started and are going well. Storm sewer will be replaced on Airport Road this week and there could be some closures. Phase 2 (CUSB to Hometown Accounting) is projected to start next week; (b) BRZ Coatings will start the Water Tower Rehab Project on August 14; (c) 2nd Ave W storm sewer replacement will start next week. The road will be closed from 3rd St W to 4th St W during the day; (d) sidewalk replacement at the Wastewater Treatment Facility is almost complete.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the June police report. He reported the fair went well and officers have been busy with traffic enforcement and investigations.

Deputy Clerk Hill reported: (a) June financials were enclosed. We were at 83% for expenses and 95% for revenue; (b) next council meeting will be July 24th; (c) the auditors will be here the week of July 24th; (d) exploring how to invest the bond proceeds until needed; (e) started a money market sweep account into our checking account to maximize interest; (f) Anthony Sturm accepted the Deputy Clerk position and will start in a few weeks.

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

Michelle Barness and Aaron Detter with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission presented a proposal for a Comprehensive Plan Update.

Jim Holz with MSA presented a proposal for a Comprehensive Plan Update.

Jason Passmore explained the Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program. The grant is for $10,000 with local match of $5,000. CIRAS would pay 50% of the match. The grant would provide additional funding for housing options for City residents after completing the assessment program. A housing committee of Bouska, Carman, and Deputy Clerk Hill was formed. Bouska made the motion to apply for the Rural Housing Assessment Grant. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Jason Passmore presented several changes to Ridiculous Day and Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest due to the Downtown Crosswalk Reconstruction Project and for safety concerns around the construction.

McConnell made the motion to approve the street closing permit for portions of N Elm St, N Park Pl, S Park Pl, and 2nd Ave W for Ridiculous Day on July 27, 2023. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve the parade permit for 3rd Ave E and 2nd St E for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on August 26, 2023. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve the street closing permit for portions of N Elm St, N Park Pl, S Park Pl, 1st Ave E, and 2nd Ave W for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest on August 26, 2023. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the street closing permit for portions of N Elm St on August 25-27, 2023 and the Southside Parking Lot on August 23-August 27, 2023 for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Russell Novak with Cresco Heat and Vent requested Council to extend his application for tax abatement for seven years. The Council is unable to agree to different schedules for different projects due to Iowa Code Chapter 404. The current plan is the maximum allowed for commercial properties at 100% for three years. McConnell made the motion to approve three years tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Ren Properties LLC. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

The Cresco Theatre & Opera House was awarded a $100,000 Theatre Catalyst Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Fortune requested to table the discussion on the grant until CCT and the Scene Shop Committee are able attend. Bouska agreed since we have not received the contract yet. Council tabled any action until the July 24, 2023 meeting.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing transfer of funds for FY 2024 (July transfers). Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Quotes from Mehmert Tiling, Inc and Skyline Construction, Inc for the excavation contract were reviewed and discussed. Fortune made the motion to approve the lower quote from Mehmert Tiling, Inc and award the excavation contract for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

The new City website is ready to go live. There was discussion on the posting of the council packets. Cresco is the only city that IROC services that put the packet online and they recommend only posting the agenda and minutes. Council wanted more information from IROC as they want to be transparent with the public; by removing the packet, it would be less information. Council tabled any action until the July 24, 2023 meeting pending more information from IROC.

The 28E Agreement with Northeast Iowa Community Action states that funding will be used to serve low-income individuals and families through programs and services including: Early Childhood Programs, Family Support Services, Food Pantry Distribution, Stable and Affordable Housing, Budget Counseling, Public Transportation, Pregnancy Prevention and Health Education, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization and Crisis/Financial Assistance. McConnell made a motion to authorize the $3,888 payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

The 28E Agreement with Helping Services states that funding will be used for providing substance abuse and domestic abuse services to individuals and families. Bouska made a motion to authorize the $1,250 payment to Helping Services and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hotel/Motel Tax of $2,851.74 was received this quarter with one application received for $5,000. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grant to Howard County Business & Tourism $5,000 for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Library Board of Trustees to appoint Trish Johnson and Pamela Kranzler for terms expiring June 30, 2026. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman moved to adjourn at 6:35 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be July 24, 2023, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor: David J. Brenno

City Clerk: Michelle Elton

Documents

2023 City Council Agendas, Minutes