Posted: July 17, 2020 | Updated: September 11, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC ELECTRONIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JULY 20, 2020
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 7:00 P.M. GOOGLE MEET (see log-in below)
Note: Council Members will be utilizing Google Meet to attend the meeting remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The public can attend by logging in to the meeting by computer via
meet.google.com/xaf-bxsb-dti or by telephone +1 929-399-7771 PIN: 853 629 654#
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, McCARVILLE, 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 July 6, 2020
- Approval of Minutes from July 14, 2020 Worksession
- Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Judy Strike
- Approval of Pay Request for $8,671.00 for All Season Construction for Housing Rehab Project
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.
- Set Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 5.12 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Residency Requirements
- First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 485 which Amends Section 5.12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Pertaining to the Residency Requirement
- Motion to Approve an Addendum to the Employee Handbook Pertaining to the Residency Requirement for Public Works and Police Departments
- Review of Request for Proposals and Recommendation of the Scene Shop Committee to Hire an Architect for the Potential Scene Shop Construction
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement for the Scene Shop Construction Project
- Recommendation of the Library Board to Appoint Felicia Pecinovsky for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2023
- Discuss Notice of Public Hearing for Special Use Permit for City as Property Owner
- 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 JULY 17, 2020.
MINUTES
Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on July 20, 2020, at 7:00 pm. Council Members Brenno, McCarville, 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 is available through meet.google.com/xaf-bxsb-dti or by telephone +1 929-399-7771 PIN: 853 629 654#.
Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the July 6, 2020 meeting and July 14, 2020 worksession; tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Judy Strike; pay request for $8,671.00 for All Season Construction for Housing Rehab Project. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Freidhof reported: (a) ash trees were treated in the parks by Richard Kittelson. After discussing the increased Emerald Ash Borer presence in the area and conditions of the trees, they decided to double the dosages this year. A newspaper article should be done regarding the Ash trees as there are a lot of infected trees on private property. Also, a new infestation is attacking the Linden trees but we are still learning more about it; (b) the results from Bergo Environmental samples from the Scene Shop came back that the insulation is Zonolite Insulation so our claim meets the requirements for reimbursement. Bergo will do the abatement process in the next month and then we can apply for reimbursement; (c) we’ve started initial conversations with Vernon Springs Brewery regarding wasteloads, etc. They are aiming for an opening in Spring 2021 so Wastewater Superintendent Born will work closely with them; (d) still doing a lot of permits; (e) Board of Adjustments has a meeting August 4th to review three variance requests; (f) Planning & Zoning is having a public hearing to review a Special Use Permit request from Cresco Food Technologies.
Brenno had several questions on the Nuisance Abatement process and the status of properties that are in the system right now. Council indicated they want to pursue nuisances more aggressively and possibly adopt a new rental and vacancy ordinance. Girolamo reminded the Council that there was no money in the Nuisance Fund so they would need to decide how to fund the additional costs.
City Clerk Girolamo reported: (a) the Police will request quotes and proceed with replacing the twelve-year-old trailblazer and mobile radios in the cars as budgeted; (b) the Street Department was wondering if Council had thought any more on burning the yardwaste pile. The pile from grinding has grown really large. Council agreed to burn it as long as it is done in the winter when people are indoors and the wind will blow the smoke away from town. We will grind when we can and perhaps burn it every few years to keep the pile manageable; (c) the audit went good last week. They are writing the report but need to wait for final regulations to come out before they can issue it; (d) Teresa is attending clerk school virtually this week and part of next week.
Brenno reported that the Park Board put a notice in the paper for quotes for the bleacher project. The number of members at the Fitness Center are remaining level around 700.
McCarville was wondering if Council had considered the possibility of allowing individuals to build their own hangars and pay an extended land lease. The Airport Commission would need to set up specs and have control over what gets built. The Council needs more information and would like to meet the Commission at the Airport to discuss it further.
Girolamo reported the Theatre Commission has decided to close on Mondays, Tuesdays, and cancel the Sunday matinees due to low attendance at least until new movies are available. Brenno questioned whether we should close the Theatre altogether. Theatre Manager Lickteig will share June’s attendance records with Council.
Bouska made the motion to set the public hearing for August 3, 2020 to amend Section 5.12 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances pertaining to residency requirements. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. The residency requirement for public works and police will be removed from the Code of Ordinances and added to the Employee Handbook instead.
Carman made the motion to approve the first reading of proposed Ordinance 485 which amends Section 5.12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pertaining to the residency requirement. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
The proposed addendum to the Employee Handbook was reviewed. Brenno asked for clarification on whether the mileage limit is measured from city limits by road or “how the crow flies”. Council unanimously agreed that it should specify it’s measured by road since they are most concerned with response time. The addendum will be revised and approved at the next council meeting.
The Scene Shop Committee submitted two quotes: Martin Gardiner Architecture “MGA” $6,500 for Phase One with up to $350 in soft costs and if it moves into the second phase it would be in the range of $36,000-$42,000; Atura Architecture $39,500; Cuningham Group Architect declined to quote it based on their workload and distance. The committee recommended going with Martin Gardner Architecture from Strawberry Point. They came and toured the building prior to submitting the quote and really listened to what we were requesting. Their quote also allowed for only Phase One to be done initially including a Pre-Design Analysis and Schematic Design Services. There was a lot of discussion whether to proceed with a building at all. The cost of the building was a major concern. Fundraising and donations would be needed to subsidize the cost. Bouska, Fortune and Carman agreed that phase one of the MGA proposal needs to be done before the decision can be made whether to proceed or not. Brenno and McCarville did not think we should do anything at this time.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Martin Gardiner Architecture for the Scene Shop Construction Project for Phase One. Fortune seconded. Fortune, Bouska, and Carmen voted aye. Brenno and McCarville voted nay. The resolution was approved by majority vote.
Brenno made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Library Board to appoint Felicia Pecinovsky for a term of three years expiring 6/30/2023. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Freidhof informed the Council that Cresco Food Technologies (“CFT”) has applied for a Special Use Permit to erect a spray dryer exhaust stack. Since the City owns land within 500 feet of CFT, a letter has been received inviting the Council to the public hearing on August 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.
Brenno suggested the Council meetings be conducted in person rather than virtually by Google Meet. There was a lot of discussion whether social distancing can be done while still being able to communicate effectively. Council felt it needed to either be all done electronically or in-person and that a combination does not work effectively. There were differing opinions and while all agreed that in-person is preferable it was felt we needed to set an example and encourage taking precautions against COVID-19. While the new case numbers continue to increase, it was decided to meet electronically. When it becomes stable again, the in-person meetings will then resume. Brenno questioned whether all boards should meet electronically.
The Council reviewed the job description and posting of the Public Works Director opening. They approved it as written except to add annual employee evaluations to the job description. It will be posted this week.
Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Carman moved to adjourn at 8:20 pm. McCarville seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be August 3, 2020, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall unless an electronic meeting is deemed necessary. Telephone and log-in information will be made available for an electronic meeting.
Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo