City Council – July 24, 2023

Posted: August 3, 2023 | Updated: August 22, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JULY 24, 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 July 10, 2023
  4. Approval of Class B Retail Alcohol License to Kwik Trip Inc d/b/a Kwik Star #428
  5. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Prime Management & Development LLC
  6. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Jeremiah Heater

 

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. Dylan Armstead with Community and Economic Development Associates to Present Proposal for Comprehensive Plan Update
  2. Discuss Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program
  3. Discuss IEDA Community Catalyst Grant Award for the Theatre Scene Shop
  4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant Agreement with Iowa Economic Development Authority for the Cresco Theatre – Scene Shop
  5. Discuss New Website and Posting of Council Packets
  6. Update on the CDBG Housing Rehab Grant Program

 

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 21, 2023.

 

Minutes

Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on July 24, 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 July 10, 2023; Class B Retail Alcohol License to Kwik Trip Inc d/b/a Kwik Star #428; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Prime Management & Development LLC; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Jeremiah Heater. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) working on Phase 2 (CUSB to Hometown Accounting) of the Downtown Crosswalk Project. Phase 1 (Howard County Courthouse) is just finishing up and they will begin saw cutting the concrete on Phase 3 (McGuire to The County Store) on July 24th; (b) the retention basin is finished except the tile line at the airport and storm sewer placement has begun on the 7th Street Reconstruction Project; (c) 2nd Ave W storm sewer replacement started today. The road will be closed from 3rd St W to 4th St W during the day; (d) preconstruction meeting for the Water Tower Rehab Project will be August 2. BRZ Coatings will start the Water Tower Rehab Project on August 14; (e) Council previously discussed doing a dedicated truck route to keep semi traffic off of 7th St W and 6th Ave W when delivering to the industrial park. Widell will contact the Iowa DOT to discuss signage and next steps.

Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report.

Deputy Clerk Hill reported: (a) attended clerk school last week; (b) auditors are here this week; (c) working on a budget amendment; (d) the new Deputy Clerk will start on July 26th.

Mayor Brenno asked for comments from the audience. Jason Passmore reported that the Annual Fly-In Breakfast is August 6th. National Night Out is August 8th with Kiwanis sponsoring the Circus and Family Fun Night. There will be food trucks, games and bounce houses. The new teacher luncheon will be at the Theatre and Opera House on August 11th. Harvest Fest will be August 25th – 27th.

Dylan Armstead was unable to attend and present his proposal for the Comprehensive Plan Update. Due to the Rural Housing Assessment Grant Application, Council decided to postpone updating the Comp Plan until grant awards are announced in October.

Deputy Clerk Hill reported on a webinar for the Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program. The deadline to apply is August 30th and the grants will be awarded October 15th. There are several options that cities are using the funds for including City-Wide Clean Up and Comprehensive Plan updates. The committee will get together to discuss and prepare an application.

The Cresco Theatre and Opera House was awarded a $100,000 IEDA Community Catalyst award for the Theatre Scene Shop. Jason Passmore explained there were 5 projects awarded thru the whole state. The project must be completed by June 30, 2025. Members from Cresco Community Theatre (CCT) expressed their desire to bring back larger shows, black box theatre, and more events. They feel the arts are greatly supported in the community and residents and visitors from all over the Midwest enjoy coming to visit and watch the shows and plays. The architect estimate for the new building is $663,000 with $450,000 still needed. The Scene Shop Committee will meet with the Theatre Commission and CCT to discuss what is needed in the building and fundraising options and goals. Fortune made the motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant Agreement with Iowa Economic Development Authority for the Cresco Theatre – Scene Shop. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed the new City website. City staff spoke with IROC and there is no way to make the council packets fully ADA compliant. Council desires to be as transparent as possible with the public and therefore requests the packets to remain on the website. Bouska made the motion to go live with the website including the council packets. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Deputy Clerk Hill updated on the CDBG Housing Rehab Grant Program. All of the houses have been completed. Simmering Cory is filing the last reimbursement claim with the State of Iowa and after it is closed out, there will be an audit on the program. Council appreciates Simmering Cory finishing up the remaining houses for the grant.

Carman moved to adjourn at 6:34 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be August 7, 2023, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: David Brenno
City Clerk: Michelle Elton

Documents

2023 City Council Agendas, Minutes