City Council – March 18, 2024 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: March 15, 2024 | Updated: March 29, 2024

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MARCH 18, 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. Approval of Minutes from March 4, 2024
  4. Approval of Special Class B Retail Native Wine License for Plantpeddler, Inc d/b/a Plantpeddler
  1. Approval of Tree Surgeon License for:
    1. Uprooted Tree Service, LLC
    2. Norby Tree Service, 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 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. Kelly O’Donnell to Present 2023 IAMU Safety Group Dividend
  2. Discuss Airport Runway Improvements Project and Possible Motion to Move to FY24 Budget
  3. Review Bids for Airport Runway Project and Possible Motion to Award Contract
  4. Discuss Possible Sale of Maintainer
  5. Discuss Sewer Surcharge Timeline and Request from BDM Developers
  6. Discuss Yard Waste Site Rules and Regulations
  7. Review Water Shut Off Notice Fees and Reconnection Fees
  8. Resolution Authorizing Fitness Center Membership Benefit for Full-Time Employees

 

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 MARCH 15, 2024.

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 18, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, Bouska, 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 the March 4, 2024 meeting; Special Class B Native Wine License for Plantpeddler, Inc d/b/a Plantpeddler; Tree Surgeon Licenses for Uprooted Tree Service, LLC and Norby Tree Service, LLC. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) working with Alliant on installing street lights on 4th Ave SW and 5th Ave SW; (b) Water Department is replacing some fire hydrants; (c) will be looking at lawn mowing procedures to be the most efficient and spraying the public areas; (d) will be hiring a full-time street laborer and summer help.

Police Chief Ruroden reported that one of the Durango’s is now in service. Still waiting to get the other one outfitted with equipment. Two officers are at a training for narcotics this week. Due to some generous donations, the cost of the K-9 dog has been reached and will be talking to the facility to secure the K-9. Donations are still needed to cover the cost of training, equipment, and supplies.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) monthly financials were included in the packet. We are 66% of the way into the fiscal year and revenues are at 77% and expenditures are at 68%; (b) working on a budget amendment; (c) had a rural housing grant workshop on March 12th. Will be attending their conference on April 10th in Ames; (d) the proposed tax hearing will be on April 1st at 5:00 pm with the regular meeting at 5:30 pm.

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

Josh Bourassa presented the 2023 IAMU Safety Group dividend check for $12,927 and explained the program.

Airport Manager Clair Pecinovsky explained the runway improvement project to Council. The project was scheduled for FY25, but would like to move to FY24 to be completed this spring. The project will be paid out of the Airport Trust. Bouska made a motion to amend the FY24 budget to include the project. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bids were reviewed for the airport runway improvement project. Anthony Henry Sealcoating, LLC was for $48,630 and D & M Asphalt Services, Inc for $30,450 with up to 20 concrete repair areas for $875. Any areas over 20 would be $35 per 2’ x 2’ area. Carman made the motion to accept the low bid from D & M Asphalt Services, Inc. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno explained that there are a few options to sell the maintainer such as sealed bids, a flat price, or an online auction. CAT estimates the value to be $27,500. McConnell made a motion to accept sealed bids on the maintainer with a minimum bid of $25,000. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

A request from BDM Developers was received to allow time for compliance on the sump pump surcharge as they have recently purchased the property. A letter will be sent explaining what needs to be done to avoid the surcharge and to be inspected. Bouska made the motion to send a letter starting the 90 days to bring the property up to compliance. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

A long discussion was held with Council, Tarzan Tree Service, and Walton Tree Service regarding the yard waste site. The following rules will now be in place for the yard waste site: all trees and branches will need to be 10 feet or shorter in length and trimmed; a new gate will be installed and locked after sunset; a fence will be installed this summer; only yard waste from City residents will be accepted. An updated sign and new, upgraded cameras will be installed this summer. McConnell made a motion to accept the new rules for the yard waste site. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held on the water shut off and reconnection fees. The current fees are $50 for posting the notice for disconnection. If the service is disconnected, there is a $50 reconnection fee during business hours and $100 after hours. Concern was that the rate is not covering the City’s expense for after hours reconnection. Carman made a motion to leave the fees the same. Bouska seconded. Carman, Bouska, and McConnell voted aye. Fosaaen and Kriener voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Fitness Center membership benefit of $7 per month and an additional $5 for 24/7 access for full-time employees. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:47 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 1, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2024 City Council Agendas, Minutes