Posted: October 13, 2023 | Updated: November 17, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: OCTOBER 16, 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.
- Approval of the Agenda
- Approval of the Claims
- Approval of Minutes from October 2, 202
- Approval of Pay Request #1 for $543,600.00 to BRZ Coatings, Inc for the Water Tower Rehab Project
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.
- Angie Kohlz from WHKS to Present Proposed Aging Equipment Replacement Project
- Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign the Health and Dental Insurance Contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Resolution Approving Change Order No. 2 for the 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Rehabilitation Project
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Water Tower Space Lease Agreement with Upper Iowa Communications
- Discussion on Flower and Statue Pedestals
- Discussion on CIP (Capital Improvement Plan)
CLOSED SESSION pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i)
OPEN SESSION
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 OCTOBER 13, 2023.
MINUTES
Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on October 16, 2023, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Bouska, Fortune, McConnell, and Kriener were present. Council Member Carman was absent.
Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from October 2, 2023; Pay Request #1 for $543,600 to BRZ Coatings, Inc for the Water Tower Rehab Project. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) yardwaste pick up resumed today and the last three will be October 30th, and November 6th and 13th; (b) the big water tower is back in service. The project will be closed out after the fall protection devices are installed; (c) Downtown Project is almost complete. They are finishing up dirt work, painting, and will place the remaining statues and planters this week; (d) gravel is placed on the 7th Street Project up to Stock Avenue. All underground work in the street will be finished this week and capping the sink hole will be done next.
Police Chief Ruroden reported they are accepting applications for a police officer position until November 13th.
City Clerk Elton reported: (a) budget worksheets were distributed to department heads; (b) budget worksession will be November 29th; (c) the election is November 7th and the Firefighters will have their annual pancake supper from 4:30-7:30 pm; (d) applied for four Howard County Community Foundation grants; (e) Alliant is proposing to increase their rates over the next two years. Potential increases for residential of 7.7 % and 5.7% and for commercial of 11.1% and 8.9% will be submitted to IUB.
Fortune questioned the rock and dirt piles at the airport. Widell reported that Howard County will be removing most of the pile to use as fill on their projects.
Mayor Brenno asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Angie Kohlz from WHKS presented the proposed Aging Equipment Replacement Project for the wastewater treatment plant. The Nutrient Reduction Study identified equipment that needs to be replaced in the next ten years. City staff and WHKS have identified 11 priority items that need to be replaced due to age in the next five years totaling $1,911,000. Several of the pieces that need to be replaced are 40 years old. There is a BIL Grant that may offer partial loan forgiveness up to $1,000,000 but it is based on a first come basis through the Iowa Finance Authority SRF Loan program. The amount of the forgiveness will be unknown until the project has been bid but is estimated that it could be about 40% based on the City’s demographics and other factors. Council felt that due to the potential forgiveness and the age of the equipment we should proceed with the SRF process. McConnell made the motion to direct WHKS to submit a proposal and agreement for the project. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fortune made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign the health and dental insurance contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution approving Change Order No. 2 for the 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Rehabilitation Project with no additional cost. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed leases for antennas that are placed on the water tower. Council would like an analysis done of the estimated cost of the electricity needed for the antennas prior to the next renewal date. McConnell made the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Water Tower Space Lease Agreement with Upper Iowa Communications. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed the flower and statue pedestals on the new downtown sidewalks. Council will review options after talking to the Chamber and the Downtown Business Committee.
Council discussed the Capital Improvement Plan project sheets and rankings. The rankings will be compiled and included in the budget discussions.
Bouska made the motion to go into closed session at 6:48 pm pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i). McConnell seconded. Bouska, Fortune, McConnell, and Kriener and voted aye. Carman was absent.
McConnell made a motion to go into open session at 7:45 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. No formal action was taken during the closed session.
Bouska moved to adjourn at 7:46 pm. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be November 6, 2023, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor David J. Brenno
City Clerk Michelle Elton