Posted: December 3, 2021 | Updated: September 6, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: DECEMBER 6, 2021
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: BRENNO, McCONNELL, FORTUNE, BOUSKA, CARMAN
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 November 15, 2021
- Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) with Sunday Service to Big Daddy Hideaway Corp d/b/a Sweeney’s Lounge
- Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Kip and Amanda Powers
- Approval of Designated Snowmobile Trail in City Limits for December 20, 2021 through April 1, 2022
- Approval of Tree Surgeon Licenses for:
- Tarzan Tree Service LLC
- Total Tree Care LLC
- Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers LLC
- Tim Walton d/b/a Tim Walton Tree Service
- Approval of Excavator License for:
- Mehmert Tiling Inc
- Skyline Construction Inc
- Mudslingers Inc
- MB Inc
STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Works
- Police
- Administration
- Committee Updates
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Hearing on the Matter of the Adoption of a Proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated (2016) Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area
- Resolution Adopting Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated (2016) Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area
- Public Hearing to Amend Chapters 10, 105.14, 106.02, and 106.08(1) in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Fees for Recyclable and Non-Recyclable Waste
- Second Reading of Summary of Proposed Ordinance 492 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Pertaining to Fees for Recyclable and Non-Recyclable Waste
- Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 3.01(2), 3.02 and 3.03 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Voting Precincts and Wards
- Second Reading of Summary of Proposed Ordinance 493 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Establishing New Voting Precincts and Wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa
- Resolution Waiving the Third Reading and Consideration of Ordinance 493 Establishing New Voting Precincts and Wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa
- Approval of Ordinance 493 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Chapter 3.01(2), 3.02 and 3.03 Establishing New Voting Precincts and Wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa
- Request from Leon Langreck to Change the City Limits
- Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Leon Langreck d/b/a Valley Storage LLC
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $3,868 Payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a 28E Agreement with Helping Services
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and Fire Chief to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the 2021 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants Program
- Discuss Budget Worksessions
- Discuss Rescheduling January Council Meetings to January 10th and January 24th
- Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
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 DECEMBER 3, 2021.
MINUTES
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on December 6, 2021, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Brenno, McConnell, Fortune, Bouska, and Carman 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 November 15, 2021 meeting; Class C Liquor License (LC) with Sunday service to Big Daddy Hideaway Corp d/b/a Sweeney’s Lounge; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Kip and Amanda Powers; designated snowmobile trail in City limits for December 20, 2021 through April 1, 2022; Tree Surgeon Licenses for: Tarzan Tree Service LLC, Total Tree Care LLC, Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers LLC, Tim Walton d/b/a Tim Walton Tree Service; Excavator License for: Mehmert Tiling Inc, Skyline Construction Inc, Mudslingers Inc, MB Inc. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Widell reported (a) we repaired a watermain break under Highway 9. The break was isolated without interruption to services, which allowed us to replace the 4 inch main with 6 inch. It was bored to save time and money; (b) a valve broke near West End Clippers which was replaced; (c) Northway installed the 10-inch pipe in Well #3 and grouted it. The well should be back up and running this week; (d) the large brush pile was burned at the yardwaste site and T&W Grinding ground up the leaves in the leaf bin last week.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the monthly report for November. He reported they are getting closer on filling the two Officer and two Reserve positions.
City Clerk Elton reported (a) the Police Department received a $5,000 grant from the Bouska Trust for purchasing a hybrid vehicle for energy savings. The Theatre also received a $1,700 grant for spray foam insulation; (b) Mediacom is increasing rates on their services. The cost for local stations will increase 34%. Most packages are increasing $10 per month; (c) been busy working on the budgets; (d) Dean and Wendy Lickteig are researching options for upgrading the microphone system for the Council meetings so the recordings will be easier to hear and understand.
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Bouska opened the Public Hearing on the matter of the adoption of a proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated (2016) Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Carman made a motion to approve the resolution adopting Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated (2016) Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska opened the Public Hearing to amend Chapters 105.10, 105.14, 106.02, and 106.08(1) in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances pertaining to fees for recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Elton reported oral comments were received from a resident who was unable to attend the hearing. The resident had concern that the totes would need to be stored by her front door since there would not be room in her garage. She had concern that they are unsightly and guests would need to walk right by them. She was also concerned with hauling her tote to the curb since her driveway goes to the alley and not to the street where the garbage is picked up especially when there are snow banks in her yard. She also stated that they may have to hire someone to move her mother’s tote to the street since her mother will not be able to do it herself. Council appreciated the questions and hope that Hawkeye Sanitation will address these issues with the residents since the Council had also voiced these concerns. Fortune reported he received a question as to who will be responsible for paying for damaged totes. Elton reported that Hawkeye Sanitation will replace totes that they damage during collection. Totes that are damaged due to negligence by the resident will be charged to the resident by Hawkeye Sanitation. There were no other written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Bouska performed the second reading of summary of proposed Ordinance 492 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by amending Chapters 105.10, 105.14, 106.02, and 106.08(1) pertaining to fees for recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Carman made the motion to approve the second reading. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska opened the Public Hearing to amend Chapter 3.01(2), 3.02 and 3.03 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances pertaining to voting precincts and wards. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska performed the second reading of summary of proposed Ordinance 493 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, establishing new voting precincts and wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa. Carman made the motion to approve the second reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fortune made a motion to approve a resolution waiving the third reading and consideration of Ordinance 493 establishing new voting precincts and wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance 493 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by amending Chapter 3.01(2), 3.02 and 3.03 establishing new voting precincts and wards within the City of Cresco, Iowa. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed a letter received from Leon Langreck requesting that the Council change the City Limits so property he bought in 2018 could be removed from city limits. He built a commercial building and is requesting for that to be subject to County property taxes rather than City rates. The request would need to go through Planning and Zoning Commission who would charge $100 to hold a public hearing and consider the request. P&Z would then make a recommendation to the Council whether to approve or deny the request. Council unanimously agreed that they would deny the request due to the fact that Mr. Langreck should have been aware of the fact that the property was in the city limits and therefore subject to City property taxes. McConnell made the motion to deny the request to move the city limits. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fortune made a motion to approve the applications for tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Leon Langreck d/b/a Valley Storage LLC contingent on the payment of the building permits. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
The 28E Agreement with Northeast Iowa Community Action states that funding will be used to serve low-income individuals and families through programs and services including: Early Childhood Programs, Family Support Services, Food Pantry Distribution, Stable and Affordable Housing, Budget Counseling, Public Transportation, Pregnancy Prevention and Health Education, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization and Crisis/Financial Assistance. Brenno made a motion to authorize the $3,868 payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a 28E Agreement with Helping Services. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor and Fire Chief to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the 2021 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants Program. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
A budget worksession will be held on December 9, 2021 for the Department Heads to meet with the Council and discuss their budget requests for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
Council discussed the option of moving the January Council meetings due to the holidays. They tentatively agreed to move the first meeting from January 3, 2022 to Wednesday, January 5th. The second meeting would still be held on Monday, January 17th. The dates will be finalized at the next council meeting.
Carman reported the positivity rate for Howard County is 11% for COVID-19. Omicron variant is in surrounding states and expected to be in Iowa soon. Last weekend, only 19 ICU beds were available in the state of Minnesota, which is where Cresco sends many of their transfers. Of those hospitalized with COVID, 73% are unvaccinated and, in ICU, 84% are not vaccinated. Everyone is encouraged to register for vaccinations at RHSHC.com under “signupgenius”.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:04 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be December 20, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Bouska
City Clerk Michelle Elton