City Council – June 3, 2024 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: May 31, 2024 | Updated: June 10, 2024

AGENDA

 

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JUNE 3, 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 May 20, 2024
  4. Approval of Street Closing Permit for Schroder Drive for the Howard County Sherriff’s Office for Training on July 31, 2024
  1. Approval of Alley Closing Permit for the Alley South of the Cresco Public Library for the Children’s Summer Library Program for:
    1. Chalk the Walk Event on June 5, 2024
    2. Touch-a-Truck Event on July 10, 2024

 

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. Scott Huneke with WHKS to Update on 7th Street West Reconstruction
  2. Approval of Pay Request #7 for $404,072.82 to Generation X Construction, LLC for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project
  3. Discussion on Weight Restrictions on 7th Street West and 6th Avenue West
  4. Judy Aberg and Stan Krider to Discuss Erosion at the Malek Pond
  5. Public Hearing on Budget Amendment #4 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
  6. Resolution Amending the Current Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
  7. Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 92 Sections 02, 03, 05, and 06, Chapter 99 section 02, and Chapter 106 section 08 (2) in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Water Rates, Sewer Service Charges, and Yardwaste Fees
  8. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance 509 which Amends Chapter 92 Sections 02, 03, 05, and 06, Chapter 99 section 02, and Chapter 106 section 08 (2) in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Water Rates, Sewer Service Charges, and Yardwaste Fees
  9. Request to Waive Late Fees for April Halverson
  10. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance Number 511 to Amend Chapter 155 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Weeds
  11. Resolution Waiving the Third Reading and Consideration of Ordinance 511 Pertaining to Weeds
  12. Approval of Ordinance 511 Pertaining to Weeds
  13. Discussion on Sale of Maintainer and Possible Motion to Trade-in
  14. Discussion on Snow Removal Ordinance and Winter Parking
  15. Discuss Nuisance Properties

 

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 MAY 31, 2024.

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on June 3, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, McConnell, and Kriener were present. Council member Fosaaen was absent.

Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the May 20, 2024 meeting; street closing for portions of Schroeder Dr for the Howard County Sherriff’s Department for training on July 31, 2024; Alley Closing Permit for the alley south of the Cresco Public Library for the Children’s Summer Library program for: Chalk the Walk event on June 5, 2024 and Touch-A-Truck event on July 10, 2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) yardwaste pickup is finished for the spring and will resume in the fall. Will need to chip some of the trees this summer. Looking at options to relocate the yardwaste site; (b) will be planting 12 trees this week; (c) attended nuisance conference in Indianola; (d) working on the Lead Service Line inventory. Reminders have been sent to residents that have not returned the form; (e) reminder that sump pumps need to have rigid piping and pump the water outside and not be connected or running into floor drains.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the May Police report. He reported that animal, hospital, and medical assists calls were up as well as an increase in traffic stops.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with month-end and getting ready for fiscal year end; (b) Mediacom sent a letter that they will begin charging for cable services for governmental entities. They will provide one free service per account. Will need to look at options for the Fitness Center, Kessel Lodge, Theatre, and City Hall. Kriener asked about Gigfire replacing the antenna on the water tower, Hill explained that we are still working with them and trying to get in contact with them.

Carman reported the ribbon cutting for Good Times is June 5th at 5 pm. Fair vouchers and wristband tickets are available at the Chamber office. The Chamber is planning a trip to Greece in March 2025, contact them for more information.

Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience. Stan Krider asked for clarification on the Lead Service Line inventory. Hill explained that due to federal regulations, we are required to conduct an inventory of every service line in Cresco. Blue paper questionnaires were sent out this fall and reminders were sent to houses built prior to 1989. City staff will begin reminder calls this month. The report is due back to the DNR in October.

Mayor Fortune recognized three employees with service anniversaries in June and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Jordyn Moore – Library 3 years; Shawn Erickson – Sewer Dept 3 years; David Godman – Police Dept 21 years;

Mayor Fortune reported that we are trying to set up a time with the County Store to discuss storage issues. Due to spring planting, it was requested by the County Store board to hold the meeting after planting.

Scott Huneke from WHKS updated Council on the 7th St W Reconstruction Project. The contractor has finished the concrete and will be finishing the restoration this week. The retention basin is working properly. Kriener made a motion to approve Pay Request #7 for $404,072.82 to Generation X Construction, LLC for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno explained that Council had previously discussed limiting semi traffic on 7th Street West. Scott Huneke explained truck routes and recommended the City install signs stating “no trucks” with the exception of a local deliveries on 7th Street West. Brenno will have the street department install no truck signs on 7th Street West and will work with the DOT and County about getting a sign installed by Valley Avenue for trucks going to the industrial park. McConnell made a motion to install “no truck” signs and to enforce restricting truck traffic on 7th Street West to local deliveries only. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Judy Aberg and Stan Krider explained that the sediment from the storm water system is diverting the water from the main waterway onto their properties by the Malek pond. They are requesting the City to clean out the main waterway to allow the water to flow as it was intended. There is a permanent easement to allow the water to flow through the pond and to be retained there to slow down the flow of storm water run-off. Brenno will reach out to the City attorney to have them review the easement to verify what the City is responsible for.

Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #4 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune opened the public hearing for proposed Ordinance No. 509 to amend Chapter 92 Sections 02, 03, 05, and 06, Chapter 99 Section 02, and Chapter 106 section 08 (2) in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pertaining to water rates, sewer service charges, and yardwaste fees. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. The Mayor performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 509. Bouska made the motion to approve the second reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes

A letter was received from April Halverson requesting the Council to waive late fees of $5.94. Her bill was received on May 11th. The utility bills were all mailed on April 26th, but her bill was returned to City Hall and re-mailed, which is why it arrived after the 1st of the month. Hill explained that we offer email, online access, and paper bill options to customers. Credit/Debit cards, check, cash, and ACH are all available to pay utility bills. Due to the documented delay, Bouska made a motion to approve waiving the late fee of $5.94. McConnell seconded and Carman, Bouska, and McConnell voted aye. Kriener voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of the summary of proposed Ordinance No. 511 amending Chapter 155 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Weeds of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa. Carman made the motion to approve the second reading. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution waiving the third reading and consideration of Ordinance No. 511 pertaining to weeds. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 511 pertaining to weeds. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution naming depositories. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill explained there was no bids on the maintainer. The new maintainer will need a snow wing. The price quote for the wing is $27,443 and the trade is would be $20,800. McConnell made a motion to purchase the snow wing for $6,643 after trade in allowance. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill presented an updated snow parking sample ordinance. The proposed ordinance would replace the current one that has alternate snow parking on streets from November 15 until April 15 regardless of weather and snowfall. The proposed ordinance would have a snow emergency in effect for snowfall over 2 inches or as declared by the street superintendent to allow the street department to fully clean the streets. Ruroden suggested the fines be raised to $25 with a $5 late fee after 30 days. A full ordinance will be prepared for review.

Brenno updated Council on the nuisance conference he attended. The current budget is $6,000 per year. Council would like to have a worksession before the next meeting to discuss priorities, budget, and other nuisance issues.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:02 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be June 17, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2024 City Council Agendas, Minutes