City Council – May 6, 2024 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: May 3, 2024 | Updated: May 31, 2024

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MAY 6, 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 April 15, 2024
  4. Minutes from April 22, 2024 Special Meeting
  1. Approval of Street Closing for Portions of 2nd Avenue West (Parking Spaces and Sidewalk) for Steven Stone/Atomic Pizza Pub to:
    1. Expand Patio for a Music Event on May 30, 2024
    2. Expand Patio for a Music Event on June 13, 2024
    3. Expand Patio for a Music Event on July 11, 2024
    4. Expand Patio for a Music Event on July 27, 2024
    5. Expand Patio for a Music Event on August 15, 2024
    6. Expand Patio for a Music Event on September 14, 2024
  1. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of North Elm Street, Division Street, and 11th Avenue West for the Nursing Home Week Parade on May 17, 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 #6 for $333,450.00 to Generation X Construction, LLC for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project
  3. Jayme Rustad to Discuss Installation of Curb and Gutter on a Portion of the North Side of 5th Avenue SW
  4. Representatives from The County Store/Board of Directors to Discuss Outside Storage at the County Store
  5. Resolution Directing Alliant Energy to Install Two Street Lights on 5th Ave SW
  6. Open Bids for Maintainer
  7. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Information Technology Services Agreement – Statement of Work with Solutions, Inc.
  8. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2024 (May and Recurring Transfers)
  9. Resolution Authorizing the Change in Authorized Business Officers for the City of Cresco Credit Cards
  10. Resolution Approving Wage Agreement for Specified Full-Time Nonunion Employee
  11. Possible Motion to Establish Personnel Committee
  12. Review Water Shut Off Notice Fees and Reconnection Fees
  13. Discuss Proposed Water, Sewer, and Capital Improvement Rate Increases
  14. Recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission to Reappoint Mike Conlan for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2026
  15. Recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission to Appoint Katie Rieks for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2026
  16. Recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission to Appoint Scott Wiley for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2027 (to Replace Brady Norman)

 

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 3, 2024.

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on May 6, 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 April 15, 2024 meeting; minutes from April 22, 2024 special meeting; street closing for portions of 2nd Ave W (parking spaces and sidewalk) for Steven Stone/Atomic Pizza Pub to expand their patio for music events on: May 30, 2024, June 13, 2024, July 11, 2024, July 27, 2024, August 15, 2024, and September 14, 2024; Parade Permit for portions of North Elm St, Division St, and 11th Ave W for the Nursing Home Week Parade on May 17, 2024. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) the Water Department had two water main breaks on April 17th. They have been busy replacing fire hydrants; (b) CIT is working in the northeast section of town. They are almost finished, but will have some easement work to do check the mains that can only be accessed through the back yards of the residents. There will be some repair work to fix some sections this summer; (c) attended a planning and zoning meeting in Decorah; (d) on Arbor Day, we planted a tree in honor of Dale Turnmire at City Hall.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the April Police report. He reported that accident calls were up. Officers attended a training in April on narcotics. The K-9, EmmyLou, has been selected and will have a checkup with the local vet. It is estimated she will be in service in July.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) attended IMFOA in April. There are a few small changes due to legislation, but no major changes this year; (b) busy with month-end, rates, and ordinance changes; (c) monthly financials were included in the packet. Will be working on a final budget amendment due to some urgent repairs; (d) openings on the Airport Commission, Park Board, Library Board, and Theatre Commission. Applications are available online or at City Hall and due by May 31st; (e) Black Hills is proposing to increase their rates over the next year. The proposed increase is about 12% and will be submitted to IUB.

Mayor Fortune recognized three employees with service anniversaries in May and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Mike Born – Sewer Dept 14 years; Brandon Kerian – Fitness Center 3 years; Sam Fotiadis – Police Dept 4 years;

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

Scott Huneke from WHKS updated Council on the 7th St W Reconstruction Project. The contractor is finishing up the concrete roadway and will work on driveways and restoration next week. The road is estimated to be open around Memorial Day. Kriener made a motion to approve Pay Request #6 for $333,450.00 to Generation X Construction, LLC for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.

Jayme Rustad questioned Council on why the curb and gutter on north side of 5th Ave SW had not been completed yet. Brenno explained that due to the layout of the property the original plan would not be feasible. He said that it is likely that engineering would need to be involved to complete the curb and gutter. Scott with WHKS will look at the property and explore options.

Mayor Fortune read a statement regarding the County Store.                                                                         Bootie Kapler, a member with the Howard County Charitable Foundation Board, explained that the PWD stopped at the County Store to discuss their building and outside storage area. Brenno explained the nuisance property ordinance. Fosaaen made a motion to have the Public Works Committee meet with the Howard County Charitable Foundation Board to find a solution to bring the property into compliance. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution directing Alliant Energy to install two street lights south of 5th Ave SW. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

No bids were received on the 1984 CAT motorgrader. Hill explained that the dealer is interested in doing a trade-in towards wing for snow removal, but won’t have more information until the May 20th meeting.

Kriener made the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Information Technology Services Agreement – Statement of Work with Solutions, Inc. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

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

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the change in authorized business officers for the City of Cresco credit cards to Nicole Hill and David Brenno. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution approving wage increases for specified permanent full-time employee. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made a motion to establish an Employee Relations Committee for calendar year 2024. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council Members McConnell and Kriener were appointed to the Employee Relations Committee.

Discussion was held on the water shut off and reconnection fees. Carman made a motion to increase the shut off notice fee to $75, the reconnection fee from 8 am – 4 pm to $50 water off and $50 water on ($100), and $150 for after hours reconnection. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held regarding amending the water and sewer rate ordinances. Due to less demand in FY24, staff recommends a 7% water increase and 9% sewer increase and yard waste to increase by $0.25 due to the increase in cost to operate and DNR requirements. Council was hesitant to increase the rates but due to upcoming projects and increase in operational costs, believe it is necessary. Council and staff will continue to look for ways to efficiently run both departments and ways to cut expenses without impacting services. Carman made the motion to do a 7% increase on water rates and 9% on sewer rates. Bouska seconded and Fosaaen, Carman, Bouska, and McConnell voted aye. Kriener voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to reappoint Mike Conlan for a term ending June 30, 2026. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to appoint Katie Rieks for a term June 30, 2026. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to appoint Scott Wiley to fulfill Brady Norman’s term ending June 30, 2027.  McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:44 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 20, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2024 City Council Agendas, Minutes