Posted: March 1, 2024 | Updated: March 29, 2024
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: MARCH 4, 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 February 19, 2024
- Approval of Minutes from February 19, 2024 Special Meeting
- Approval of Class C Beer Permit and Class B Wine Permit (BC) to Kwik Trip, Inc. d/b/a Kwik Star #428 (change of ownership)
- Approval of Flag Request for 2024:
- St. Patricks Day — March 14 – 18
- Crestwood High School Graduation — May 16 – 20
- Ridiculous Day — July 17 – 19
- Harvest Fest — August 22 – 26
- Holiday Open House — November 21 – 25
- Santa Parade — November 27 – 30
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.
- Discuss Possible Purchase of Used Maintainer
- Discuss Options for the Yardwaste Site
- Request for Sewer Surcharge Waiver from BDM Developers
- Motion to Authorize the City Clerk to Sign an Offer of Employment for the Billing Clerk Position
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 1, 2024.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 4, 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 February 19, 2024 meeting; minutes from the February 19, 2024 special meeting; Class C Beer Permit & Class B Wine Permit (BC) to Kwik Trip, Inc. d/b/a Kwik Star #428 for ownership change; request to display flags for the following dates in 2024; St. Patrick’s Day from March 14-18, Crestwood High School Graduation from May 16-20, Ridiculous Day from July 17-19, Harvest Fest from August 22–26, Holiday Open House from November 21–25, Santa Parade from November 27–30. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) building permits have started to come in for the spring; (b) Street Department has been sweeping the sand off of the street; (c) Water Department is replacing some fire hydrants. Red hydrants are hard to get, so we will order a yellow one and have it painted; (d) getting quotes to repair the manholes on Highway 9; (e) sending stump grinding quotes out to be reviewed on April 1, 2024.
Police Chief Ruroden reported they are waiting on one of the Durango’s to finish being outfitted and then the other will be taken to have the equipment installed.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with month end and trainings; (b) met with Ahlers & Cooney to update the Urban Renewal ordinance. Will work with WHKS to update the maps showing the active areas; (c) the proposed tax hearing will be on April 1st at 5:00 pm with the regular meeting at 5:30 pm.
McConnell reported that the Fitness Center is up 67 members in the last year. The 24/7 access at the Fitness Center started on March 4th. There will be a ribbon cutting on April 26th for the project. Beadle Park playground equipment has arrived and will be installed this spring.
Bouska reported on an Economic Development meeting. They raised $334,000 for the Child Care Solutions fund and that is being used on wage enhancements and retention bonus for child care providers. Highway 9 will be paved up by LeRoy, MN on the Iowa side. Howard Winneshiek School is beginning to look at their next project.
Carman updated on the Chamber meeting. There will be two family fun nights, one in May and one in July. Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet is on April 8th, Employee Appreciation luncheon is April 23rd from 11-1. Dollar Tree hopes to be opening this month.
Fosaaen met with the Theatre Commission and the architect on the Scene Shop. Theatre Manager Wendy Lickteig explained they are talking to local contractors to get a better idea on the building, HVAC, and electrical costs. The Theatre will be celebrating 110th anniversary in 2024. The next live event will be a Johnny Cash Tribute on March 30th.
Mayor Fortune recognized two employees with service anniversaries in March and thanked them for their dedication and year of full-time service to the City and residents: Grant Doeppke – Police Dept 1 year; TJ Casper – Fitness Center 1 year.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Brenno explained that Howard County has a 2012 CAT maintainer they would sell to the City for $82,000. Oil samples were obtained and the sample came back good. A new wing will be needed for $26,000. The City’s 1987 maintainer is probably worth around $27,500. The City currently has two and would sell the oldest one if a newer one is purchased. The current budget does not include the purchase of a maintainer so an amendment will need to be done. Bouska was concerned about the transmission having been replaced twice. Council discussed the workload and determined the City will use is less than what it has been used for which will be less wear on the maintainer. Fosaaen made the motion to purchase the maintainer from Howard County. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brenno updated Council on the yard waste site. Upon checking with other cities to see how they handle yard waste, a letter was sent out to licensed tree surgeons who use the yard waste site explaining the proposed rules. Proposed rules include cutting trees into smaller pieces, restricting the hours, installing a fence and locking gate. Zach Steinmetz from Tarzan Tree Service expressed concern with proposed regulations. He stated that by adopting these rules, it would require more time for both contractors and city staff and it would also be more dangerous due to cutting trees into smaller pieces. Jeff Wilson with Wilson Custom Tree encouraged Council to look at other options for chipping, the fence and gate, and the restrictions on hours. Both companies are willing to work with the City for what is best for residents, businesses, and the City. Brenno will get the price on a gate. Council agreed that the site will be closed and locked 30 minutes after sunset once the gate is installed.
A request from BDM Developers was received to allow time for compliance on the sump pump surcharge as they have recently purchased the property. Bouska was concerned about waiving the fee and would like to have a legal opinion obtained prior to deciding. Council tabled any action until the March 18, 2024 meeting.
Carman made the motion to authorize the City Clerk to sign an Offer of Employment to Rita Hrdlicka for the Utility Billing Clerk Position. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:35 pm. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be March 18, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill