March 1, 2021

Posted: February 26, 2021 | Updated: August 25, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MARCH 1, 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/87242199747 Meeting ID: 872 4219 9747 or by telephone at +1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 872 4219 9747

 

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 February 15, 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 on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
  2. Resolution Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
  3. Brian Stark of Martin Gardner Architecture to Present Preliminary Plans and Estimates for Proposed Scene Shop
  4. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Apply for an Iowa Department of Transportation Grant for Community Charging Sites
  5. Discuss Homes for Iowa Project
  6. Motion to Credit the Sewer Charges for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer for Krista Story
  7. Motion to Credit the Sewer Charges for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer for the Fitness Center
  8. Discuss HVAC Study and Issues for the Fitness Center
  9. Discuss Pay Rates for Deputy Clerk and Utility Billing Clerk
  10. 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 FEBRUARY 26, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 1, 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/87242199747 or by telephone at +1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 872 4219 9747.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the February 15, 2021 meeting. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) watermain break February 18th on Crescent Drive. They had to dig a large hole in the middle of the street since the main was 12 feet deep. There were two breaks on 2nd St SE within 2 blocks of each other on February 25th and March 1st; (b) Street Department broke out an ice jam in the outlet pipe at 8th Ave & 8th St E. The water from the leak at the Fitness Center froze solid in the pipe due to the extremely cold weather. They are doing the repairs that can be done in-house on the street sweeper to get it ready for spring; (c) Mike and I had a conference call with Hawkins, our chemical supplier, about the lead and copper issues out at the wastewater plant. They will do testing at our site to determine the next steps.

Police Chief Ruroden reported Ben is doing very well and goes for testing for the Academy on Friday. They have been busy responding to accidents and look forward to an improvement in weather.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the receipt printer stopped working so ordered a new one for $800; (b) have been attending a lot of webinars for the Fitness Center HVAC, EV Charging stations, Employment Law, and Rain Gardens; (c) WHKS is working on our copper limits and also the Grit Project. Daren will present his proposal for the drainage issues on 7th Street at the March 15, 2021 Council meeting.

Mayor Bohle opened the Public Hearing for the proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.  There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution adopting the budget for FYE June 30, 2022. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brian Stark of Martin Gardner Architecture presented preliminary plans and estimates for the proposed Scene Shop. The sketches were reviewed with the different floor lines. We should be able to use the existing link because it is structurally sound but would need to do some reconstruction work. The estimated cost is about $370,000 to $405,000 for the building. Unfortunately, prices and supplies are negatively impacted by COVID, so the prices may fluctuate a lot if a bid were to be done at this time. The new building would have very high efficiency heating, cooling, lighting, and insulation.

Jason Passmore explained the City is eligible to apply for a grant to install a Level 2 Electrical Vehicle Charging Station. The grant would be 90% reimbursement of expenses or a maximum of $15,000.  The proposed site is in the northeast corner of the Fareway parking lot. Fareway is in favor of the project and would allow the City to use two parking spaces. Electrical services would need to be bored in so the overall cost would be about $19,100. Therefore, the City’s exposure would be about $4,100 plus a monthly meter charge and electric usage. User fees can be charged by the City. Possible other sites were discussed but Jason recommended this spot because it would be visible, close to downtown, bike trail, and Welcome Center. Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to apply for an Iowa Department of Transportation Grant for Community Charging Sites. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska reported on her tour of Homes of Iowa in Oelwein. The house is built by Iowa Prison Industries and moved to a location. The house was sturdily built and was moved in one piece. There are several additional expenses required once it is put in location. This would be a viable option to consider if the City acquired property through the nuisance abatement process. Considerations would need to be made because it will take additional time and investment by the City.

Brenno made the motion to credit $70.17 sewer charges for water not entering the sanitary sewer for Krista Story for a leaking outdoor faucet. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to credit $2,702.42 sewer charges for water not entering the sanitary sewer for the Fitness Center due to a broken pipe discharging to the storm sewer. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska reported that the RFP for the HVAC Study initiated a Zoom meeting with an Engineer to review the timeline of the study as well as the emergency heating system issues. He agreed that the hot water boilers should be replaced as soon as possible to heat the new portions of the Fitness Center. The ductwork and pipes are already in place and it is a pretty efficient system. The study should still be conducted for the remainder of the Fitness Center for heating and cooling systems and Pool Pak for the entire system. He easily could see energy efficiency improvements that could be done in the future. LT Mechanical will present an estimate to the Park Board at their March 10th meeting and to the Council at their March 15th meeting. The boilers will need to be ordered soon and everything installed before next heating season.

The Council discussed possible raises for the Deputy Clerk and Utility Billing Clerk. The item was tabled for further discussions. An employee evaluation form and review process will be discussed at the next meeting.

Howard County only receives 100 primary doses each week in addition to the second doses for the COVID vaccines. HyVee in Waterloo is giving shots so try their website on Tuesdays to schedule. Library Director Kay asked if the City of Cresco was requiring employees to get vaccinated. The City has been advised that it cannot make it mandatory but can highly recommend vaccinations when each employee is eligible. McConnell made the motion to resume in-person Council meetings at City Hall on March 15, 2021. Brenno seconded and Brenno, McConnell, Fortune, and Carman voted aye. Bouska voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

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

Bouska moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:06 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be March 15, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes