Posted: June 18, 2021 | Updated: August 29, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JUNE 21, 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 June 7, 2021
- Approval of Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales to Cuautla Jalisco Inc
- Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Cresco Building Service 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.
- Trisha Wilkins Executive Director for Northeast Iowa Community Action to Discuss Services Offered
- Review Quotes for Excavation Contract for July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 and Possible Award of Contract
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into an Industrial Sewer Rental Agreement with Cresco Food Technologies LLC
- Resolution Committing Fund Balance Resources for General Funds and Special Revenue Funds (GASB 54)
- Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2021 (June Transfers)
- Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds Over-Budget
- Motion to Write Off Uncollectible Customer Accounts for FYE June 30, 2021
- Motion to Change the July 5th Council Meeting Date to Wednesday, July 7, 2021 due to the Holiday
- Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign Documents and File Necessary Paperwork for the American Rescue Plan Act
- Recommendation of Boards and Commissions to Appoint Members for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2024:
- Board of Adjustment to Reappoint Richard Holten
- Board of Adjustment to Appoint Alison Holten (to Replace Brian Balk)
- Library Board of Trustees to Reappoint Janis Rockabrand
- Library Board of Trustees to Reappoint Sally Godwin
- Airport Commission to Appoint Clair Pecinovsky (to Replace Kevin Schrage)
- Theatre Commission to Reappoint Tara Henry
- Theatre Commission to Reappoint Kari Waterbeck
- Discuss Time Limits for Supervised Display of Fireworks
- Approval of Permit for Supervised Display of Fireworks for:
- Bryan Sheehy at H&S Motors on 7/2/21
- Alan Lewis, 808 Vernon Rd on 7/4/21 (Revised Date)
- Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign Agreements Activating FrontDesk with gWorks and Processing Payments through Forte
- Discuss Airport Hangars
- 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 JUNE 18, 2021.
MINUTES
Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on June 21, 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 June 7, 2021 meeting; Class C Liquor License with Sunday sales to Cuautla Jalisco Inc; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Cresco Building Service Inc. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) Street Dept is busy trimming trees, painting lines, mowing ditches, and will begin chip sealing next week; (b) Water Dept is working on projects and fixing concrete from watermain breaks last winter; (c) Sewer Dept is busy with plant and collection system maintenance, and Shawn started today; (d) Daren with WHKS is conducting the Hydraulic Study on the 7th St W project and will also be sending out the specs for bids for the concrete projects budgeted next fiscal year.
Police Chief Ruroden introduced the two newest Police Officers hired, Sam Fotiadis and Ben Hillyer, and both conducted the Oath of Office. Due to COVID and Academy training, their introductions and Oaths of Office were delayed since they were hired May 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021 respectively. Council welcomed the officers to Cresco.
City Clerk Girolamo reported they have been busy with yearend processing. Short term investments in CD’s will be done to keep cash at a minimum in the bank and will be researching other options for long-term investments. We will be requesting an extension for the Housing Rehab project until January 31, 2022 because only four of the six houses have been completed.
Fortune reported the Theatre will be closed this week for the Fair and CCT will be rehearsing Shrek the Musical for their July performance.
Bouska reported the Regional Housing Commission met and unfortunately Jeremy Jostand has resigned to move to Oregon. He will be missed because he was such a good advocator for housing in the area.
Library Director Kay introduced the new Library Director Jordyn McDonald. The Library is no longer requesting patrons to wear masks and are also reinstating the overdue fees. Alexandra Frost has been hired as a new part-time employee so the Library is fully staffed again.
Brenno reported the Park Board met. Fitness Center memberships are slowly increasing. A contract is being negotiated with the Earl buses parked at the Fitness Center. Park Board President Kris Riley introduced the new Director Brandon Kerian. They are busy with summer recreation programs and everything is going good. The HVAC study was shared with the Park Board and Council. A committee will be formed to address the issues identified. The East Park Bleacher project is almost finished and fundraising went really well with over $61,000 received in donations and pledges.
Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Trisha Wilkins, Executive Director for Northeast Iowa Community Action, discussed services offered by their Agency. There are many programs available to Cresco and Howard County residents including early childhood programs, family support services, housing, budget counseling, public transit, pregnancy prevention, weatherization, and emergency assistance. New COVID-19 programs include Low Income Home Energy Assistance and Iowa Rent & Utility Assistance. A new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program is available for assistance with water and wastewater utility bills. Residents should visit the Family Services Center office just east of City Hall in Cresco.
Two quotes for the FY2022 Excavation Contract were opened from Mehmert Tiling and Skyline Construction. There was a discrepancy in the quote requirements so the contractors will be contacted and possible new quotes will be requested so they can be compared.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an Industrial Sewer Rental Agreement with Cresco Food Technologies LLC. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brenno made the motion to approve the resolution Committing Fund Balance Resources for General Funds and Special Revenue Funds (GASB 54). Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2021 (June Transfers). Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing Transfer of Funds over-budget. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to write off one uncollectible customer account of $186.35 for FYE June 30, 2021. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to change the July 5th Council Meeting date to Wednesday, July 7, 2021 due to the Holiday. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign documents and file necessary paperwork for the American Rescue Plan Act. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve the recommendation of Boards and Commissions to appoint members for a term of three years expiring 6/30/2024: (a) Board of Adjustment to reappoint Richard Holten and appoint Alison Holten; (b) Library Board of Trustees to reappoint Janis Rockabrand and Sally Godwin; (c) Airport Commission to appoint Clair Pecinovsky; (d) Theatre Commission to reappoint Tara Henry and Kari Waterbeck. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Fireworks Ordinance was reviewed and discussed. Display Fireworks are not addressed in the City Code nor the State Code. Council decided that each year in May, the Council will choose one or two nights that Display Fireworks will be allowed to be discharged. This year the Display Fireworks permits will be allowed on the date applied for until 11 pm.
Carman made the motion to approve permits for Supervised Display of Fireworks for: Bryan Sheehy at H&S Motors on 7/2/21. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The application to change the date was withdrawn from Alan Lewis so the original permit for 7/3/21 is still valid.
The software program that the City utilizes is making improvements to encryption of private information which will cause the City to utilize the FrontDesk program. The cost of processing ACH payments will be paid by the City at 50 cents per transaction. The overall increase in cost to the City for the extra programs and processing will be about $13,000 per year. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign agreements activating FrontDesk with gWorks and processing payments through Forte. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell reported the Airport Commission met and increased hangar rent 10% for the next year. The Commission asked if the Council would consider allowing individuals to build their own hangars with a long-term land lease. The Council would possibly consider it but only after specs for the buildings, aprons, maintenance, and lease agreements were established. A list of interested parties with a commitment would be necessary before Council will make any decisions. Comparisons of other airports hangar rents and agreements should be reviewed.
Carman reported the Hospital will be administering Johnson & Johnson vaccinations at the Fair. Regional Health Services will continue to offer Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations by appointment.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:27 pm. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor: Mark Bohle
City:Michelle Girolamo