January 18, 2021

Posted: January 14, 2021 | Updated: August 25, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JANUARY 18, 2021

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 P.M. CHAMPLIN HALL (Lower level of Cresco Theatre)

 

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.

 

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Approval of Minutes from January 6, 2021
  4. Approval of Minutes from January 12, 2021 Budget Worksession
  5. Permit for Supervised Display of Fireworks for Matt Miner on January 23, 2021 at the Howard County Fairgrounds for the Driftrunner’s Snow Fest
  6. Approval of Street Closing for Portions of 2nd Ave East to Allow One-Way Traffic for the Notre Dame School Lasagna Supper Carry-Out Drive-Thru Meal on January 29, 2021

 

STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Public Works
  2. Police
  3. Administration
  4. Committee Updates

 

BUSINESS:  There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Public Hearing to Amend the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Council Meetings
  2. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 488 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Council Meetings
  3. Set Public Hearing for FY 2020/2021 City Budget Amendment #2
  4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Sign an Easement for Ingress and Egress with Jeffrey and Shirlee Haw.
  5. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Tower Lease Agreement with LTD Broadband LLC
  6. Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

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 JANUARY 14, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on January 18, 2021, at 7:02 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, the meeting was being held in Champlin Hall to allow more social distancing.

The agenda was amended to move the Fireworks Permit application to the business section of the agenda. Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the January 6, 2021 meeting and January 12, 2021 Budget Worksession; street closing for portions of 2nd Ave East to allow one-way traffic for the Notre Dame School lasagna supper carry-out drive-thru meal on January 29, 2021. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) Dixon Engineering will use an ROV camera, rather than draining the 500,000-gallon water tower, to perform the inspection in the Spring and will produce 200-300 pictures; (b) a hydraulic cylinder broke on one of the maintainers Friday morning. We borrowed one from the County to get us by until we got parts and fixed it on Monday; (c) Wastewater is cleaning and doing maintenance at the plant and sewer system; (d) Ben Hayek is taking a class on January 21st so will start either the 22nd or 25th in the Sewer Department.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the Chamber will put the winter flags up downtown for Snowfest this weekend; (b) busy with the budget.

Brenno made the motion to approve the Permit for Supervised Display of Fireworks for Matt Miner/Driftrunner’s on January 23, 2021 at the Howard County Fairgrounds for the Driftrunner’s Snow Fest pending proof of insurance is received and approved by the Fire Chief prior to the display. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Bohle opened the Public Hearing to amend the Code of Ordinances pertaining to Council Meetings for January 18, 2021. There were no written or oral comments.

Bouska made the motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 488 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to council meetings. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to set the Public Hearing for FY 2020/2021 City Budget Amendment #2 for February 1, 2021. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

The resolution regarding the easement with Haws was postponed until Haws approve it.

Council discussed the Tower Lease Agreement with LTD Broadband. The City currently receives free internet services to all departments in lieu of rent paid from LTD Broadband to have their antennas on the water towers. Council was concerned with the internet service at the WWTP not working. Staff is still working on the issue with them and a new router was delivered today. Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Tower Lease Agreement with LTD Broadband LLC. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Girolamo shared an update on the COVID vaccinations from Regional Health Services. They are in phase 1a which is vaccine distribution restricted to healthcare personnel and long-term care residents. Local nursing homes and assisted living residents and staff will be receiving vaccines in the coming weeks through a separate Federal program. IDPH hopes the next phase 1b vaccinations will be released early February but still have not been directed specifically who will qualify. When they move to a larger population distribution, they have detailed plans for mass vaccination using Kessel Lodge and/or the Fairgrounds. Discussion was held regarding adding more information on the City’s website such as the recorded Council meetings and possibly other Boards and Commission meetings.

Library Director Cynthia Kay and Board President Patsy Bronner explained they are offering curbside service and open by appointment only. They reported patrons are using the library now with the appointment and time restrictions because they feel safer using the library. They explained the precautions that have been implemented. Due to weaning of old books, there are many boxes of books that are in a storage unit. They hope to be able to have their book sale at a different site this spring.

Council discussed whether to have the next meeting and budget worksession at City Hall, Champlin Hall or virtually. After much debate, the majority preferred City Hall with social distancing and masks.

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

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:43 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be February 1, 2021, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes