January 6, 2021

Posted: January 4, 2021 | Updated: August 25, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JANUARY 6, 2021

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 P.M. VIRTUAL MEETING 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/84980273339 Meeting ID: 849 8027 3339 or by telephone

1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 84980273339  

 

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 December 21, 2020
  4. Approval of Class E Liquor License (LE), Class B Wine Permit, and Class C Beer Permit (Carryout Beer) with Sunday Sales to Casey’s Marketing d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511
  5. Approval of Liquor License Change of Officers for Casey’s Marketing d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511
  1. Approval of Excavator License for Randy Hovey and Casey Hovey d/b/a Hovey Enterprises Inc
  2. Approval of Tree Surgeon License for Marshall Rogne d/b/a Rogne Spray LLC
  3. Approval of Owner Occupied Housing Contractor Request for Payment #3 – Final Rehabilitation & LHR Contract #3 for $8,709.40 to All Season Construction

 

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 on the Status of Funded Activities for the City of Cresco Community Development Block Grant for the Owner-Occupied Housing Program
  2. Set Public Hearing to Amend the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Council Meetings
  3. First Reading of Ordinance No. 488 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Council Meetings
  4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Sign an Easement for Ingress and Egress with Jeffrey and Shirlee Haw.
  5. Motion to Approve the Offer of Employment for a Full-Time Wastewater Operator Position
  6. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water Not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from the Cresco Community Fire Department
  7. Review Quotes for Stump Grinding and Possible Award of Contract
  8. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Enter into a Processing Agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc (“Forte”) for Processing Credit Card and Debit Card Payments
  9. 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 4, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on January 6, 2021, at 7:00 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/84980273339 Meeting ID: 849 8027 3339 or by telephone 1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 84980273339.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the December 21, 2020 meeting; Class E Liquor License (LE), Class B Wine Permit, and Class C Beer Permit (carryout beer) with Sunday sales to Casey’s Marketing d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511; Liquor License Change of Officers for Casey’s Marketing d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511; Excavator License for Randy Hovey and Casey Hovey d/b/a Hovey Enterprises Inc; Tree Surgeon License for Marshall Rogne d/b/a Rogne Spray LLC; Owner Occupied Housing Contractor Request for Payment #3 – Final Rehabilitation & LHR Contract #3 for $8,709.40 to All Season Construction. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) all public works employees will be attending virtual meetings on bloodborne pathogens and lockout/tagout training on January 13th; (b) Michelle and I met with Daren from WHKS and drove around looking at the potential 7th St SW drainage project. He is working on putting some numbers together for us; (c) Street Department has been busy the last two weeks with snow and trimming boulevard trees. When vandals spray painted the Welcome to Cresco sign, they also broke the light. We were unable to fix it ourselves so Bob’s Electric is repairing it; (d) Water and Sewer Departments are busy with daily and seasonal tasks; (e) I will be attending a professional development class that focuses on community leadership, identifying local issues and opportunities, making community decisions, and working effectively. The class is called Leading Communities and is funded and conducted by the ISU Extension office. Class meets twice a month virtually for now but hopefully in-person soon; (f) an updated list of nuisance properties was submitted to Council and one of the properties was torn down today.

The December Police Report was submitted. A conditional offer of employment was made pending test results for the Police Officer position. The new police truck should be here this week.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the Fire Department’s brush truck chassis is ready and included in the current claims for the total cost. The City will be reimbursed 1/3 of the cost from the Cresco Firefighters and 1/3 from the Rural Fire; (b) the budget worksession with department heads will be at 12:45 at Champlin Hall on January 12th; (c) busy with year-end preparing W-2’s and 1099’s.

Mayor Bohle opened the Public Hearing on the Status of Funded Activities for the City of Cresco Community Development Block Grant for the Owner-Occupied Housing Program. Lee Balik from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission reported (A) general description of accomplishments to date: two homes are closed out, 1 project recently bid out and currently underway, anticipate bidding out 3 remaining projects soon; (B) summary of expenditures to date: $100,816 Total Expended, $56,911 Rehab, $12,465 LHR, $1,619 Relocation, $19,784 Admin, $8,400 Tech Services, and $1,637 LHR Admin; (C)  general description of remaining work: work left consists of initial inspections, historical clearances, contractor walk-throughs, bid opening, pre-construction conferences and final inspections; (D) general description of changes made to project budget: 503 5th Ave E received more funding due to contractor changes. There were no written or oral comments received. Mayor Bohle closed the public hearing.

Bouska made the motion to set the Public Hearing to amend the Code of Ordinances pertaining to Council Meetings for January 18, 2021. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. The amendment proposes to change the time of regular council meetings from 7:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Bouska explained she had originally been against changing the time but sent emails to many residents of Cresco asking whether they would prefer meetings at 5:30 or 7:00 and it was overwhelmingly in favor of 5:30. So she is changing her opinion to support her constituent’s preference.

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

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

Fortune made the motion to approve the Offer of Employment for a full-time Wastewater Operator Position to Ben Hayek for $21.41 per hour starting approximately January 18, 2021 contingent on verification of his Class B CDL. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fortune made the motion to approve the request for sewer adjustment of $83.22 for water not entering the sanitary sewer system from the Cresco Community Fire Department due to a break of the in-floor heating system. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Widell reported that only one quote for stump grinding was received for 2021. The quote was for $.95 per inch from Wilson Custom Tree Service. The current contract is $.71 per inch with Walton Tree Service. Council was concerned with the huge increase in price when Wilson’s quote last year was $.73. Council tabled the decision until the next meeting to research why the increase this year was so large and also the average number and cost of stump grinding done in a year.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing City Clerk to enter into a Processing Agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc (“Forte”) for processing credit card and debit card payments. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fortune reported he had concerns brought to him regarding the closure of the Library. There was much discussion on the public health guidelines regarding business closures and potential exposures when wearing masks. Discussion was held regarding staffing needs and reduced patron numbers for the best use of tax money.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. Brenno inquired about the status of the Stopperan property but we are waiting for a response after an email was sent to them.

Jason Passmore reported they are working with the Gooder’s Vernon Springs Brewery on a business plan and financing opportunities. They met with Iowa Economic Development Authority today to review the project and tour the building. They would be eligible to apply for a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program which could award a $100,000 grant. The owner must at least match that amount. The applicant must be the City and act as the fiscal agent to pass through the funds. They do encourage the City to work with the business as well with some incentives such as tax rebates. The City would not have any liability and would just be a pass-thru. The City has participated as the Fiscal Agent in similar projects in the past with great success. The pre-application must be filed to see if the project is eligible to submit a full application. The Council unanimously agreed they would support the pre-application and consider the project for a full application if it proceeds.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:41 pm. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be January 18, 2021, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall unless a virtual meeting is deemed necessary.

 

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes