Posted: February 13, 2021 | Updated: August 25, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: FEBRUARY 15, 2021
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 5:30 P.M. VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
Note: Council Members will be utilizing ZOOM to attend the meeting remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The public can attend by logging in to the meeting online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83103285589 Meeting ID: 831 0328 5589 or by telephone at +1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 831 0328 5589
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 February 1, 2021
- Approval of Minutes from February 1, 2021 Budget Worksession
- Approval of Class E Liquor License (LE) with Class C Beer Permit (Carryout Beer) and Class B Wine Permit with Sunday Sales to Wemark22 LLC d/b/a The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts
- Approval of Class B Native Wine Permit (WBN) to Plantpeddler Inc d/b/a Plantpeddler
- Approval of Class C Beer Permit (BC) and Class B Wine Permit with Sunday Sales to DOLGENCORP LLC d/b/a Dollar General Store #2400 (Renewal)
- Approval of Class C Beer Permit (BC) to DOLGENCORP LLC d/b/a Dollar General Store #2400 (Ownership Change)
STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Works
- Police
- Administration
- Committee Updates
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Hearing for Proposed Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
- Resolution Approving Maximum Property Tax Dollars for FYE June 30, 2022
- Set Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
- Discuss Request from Cresco Chamber Business Committee for Increased Funding for Annual Flower Maintenance
- Resolution Authorizing the Application for a Visa Credit Card for the City of Cresco Parks Department
- Resolution Approving the Update and Adoption of the Credit Card Policy for the City of Cresco
- Discuss Easement for Jeffrey and Shirlee Haw
- Motion to Grant a Winter Adjustment for a Credit on Water and Sewer Bills for Customers Running Water to Prevent Service Lines from Freezing
- Discuss Street Sweeper Repairs and Maintenance
- Motion to Credit the Sewer Charges for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer for the Fitness Center
- Discuss HVAC Study and Issues for the Fitness Center
- Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
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 FEBRUARY 12, 2021.
MINUTES
Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on February 15, 2021, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Brenno, McConnell, Fortune, Bouska, and Carman were present. No council members were absent.
Mayor Bohle explained that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, as to protect the employees, council members, and the public, the meeting is being held electronically. The log-in for the Zoom meeting is available online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83103285589 or by telephone (312) 626-6799 Meeting ID: 831 0328 5589.
Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the February 1, 2021 meeting and Budget Worksession; Class E Liquor License (LE) with Class C Beer Permit (carryout beer) and Class B Wine Permit and Sunday sales to Wemark22 LLC d/b/a The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts; Class B Native Wine Permit (WBN) to Plantpeddler Inc d/b/a Plantpeddler; Class C Beer Permit (BC) and Class B Wine Permit with Sunday sales to DOLGENCORP LLC d/b/a Dollar General Store #2400 for renewal and for ownership change. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) watermain break February 9th on Prospect Street. The guys had issues with limestone and had to work into the night to get it repaired; (b) Street Department busy plowing streets and hauling snow piles to the yard waste site. While they were cleaning up snow around the High School they caught a Mediacom box so there will be an insurance claim for the repairs; (c) Wastewater Dept has been staying busy with testing and reporting paperwork. Ben is learning the daily testing and setting up bottles for testing and what that process involves. Ben has been doing a great job and they are very happy to have him out there. Brenno asked about the status of nuisance properties. Several have been turned over to Joe Braun for processing. Concern was voiced regarding the turn-around time since Joe will be busy with tax season so staff was instructed to check with Ahlers & Cooney.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the monthly report. Ben Hillyer started February 1st as a new police officer and working on training and ride-alongs. He will be attending the academy in September but is on the waiting list for March. The City is having trouble collecting the reimbursable academy expenses from Keefe Williams. The amount due will be filed with Small Claims Court and possibly garnish his wages. The City will contact the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy as well.
City Clerk Girolamo reported they are busy with phone calls for freezing service lines and other issues.
Brenno reported the Park Board’s main concern right now is the boiler issues in the Fitness Center. Memberships are up slightly to about 625.
Library Director Kay reported the Library is opening, still requiring masks be worn, and socially distancing. Curb-side services will continue. No programming scheduled for now.
Mayor Bohle opened the Public Hearing for Proposed Property Tax Levy for fiscal year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Carman made the motion to approve the resolution approving Maximum Property Tax Dollars for FYE June 30, 2022. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to set the Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 for March 1, 2021 at 5:30 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Council discussed a request from the Cresco Chamber Business Committee for increased funding for annual flower maintenance for the planters. Bouska made the motion to increase the funding by $500 to $3,000 annually beginning this year. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brenno made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the application for a Visa credit card for the City of Cresco Parks Department with a $4,000 credit limit with Jamie Hackman listed as the cardholder. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution approving the update and adoption of the Credit Card Policy for the City of Cresco. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Council discussed the easement the City of Cresco has with Jeffrey and Shirlee Haw. A resolution #080108 had been approved in 2001 granting the Haw’s access to their land so a new easement is not required at this time. There is a signed agreement to maintain the gravel field drive and to repair any damages to the City’s driveway.
Due to the extremely cold temperatures, the water temperature has dropped and therefore some customers could have frozen service lines depending on the depth of their line. Carman made the motion to grant a credit on water and sewer charges for customers running water to prevent service lines from freezing. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The customer must record the temperature of their water and call City Hall to request the credit. Credits will only be granted if the temperature is lower than 38 degrees and the water is run at a pencil-width stream.
The Council discussed a quote for repairs needed on the street sweeper. There were $18,807 done in 2019 and $4,634 in 2020. The estimate for the repairs this year are $3,400. The Street Department will do as much of the work as they can. Carman made the motion to make all recommended repairs. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brenno made the motion to credit the sewer charges for water not entering the sanitary sewer for the Fitness Center. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska discussed the concern with the boiler failures at the Fitness Center. The steam to hot water convertor is causing an extra 14,000 gallons of water per day to run through the system and discharging to the storm sewer. She suggested hiring an engineering firm to conduct an HVAC summary to recommend sizing and options for upgrades. Larry Trende has recommended purchasing three furnaces immediately to get us through this winter. These furnaces can then be implemented in the final project. All agreed to get the furnaces installed as quickly as possible to solve the water issues. The consensus was to try to still get an engineering review done so the whole system will be upgraded before next winter.
The Council expressed concerns regarding the increased positive cases in the two weeks following the Snowfest dance. Howard County was tied for the second highest positivity rate in Iowa.
Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Carman made the motion to go in to Closed Session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(i) at 6:08 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Council came back into Open Session at 6:38 pm. No formal action was taken during the Closed Session.
Brenno moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:38 pm. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be March 1, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall unless a virtual meeting is deemed necessary.
Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo