Posted: March 13, 2020 | Updated: September 11, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: MARCH 16, 2020
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 7:00 P.M. AT CRESCO CITY HALL
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 March 2, 2020
- Approval of Tree Surgeon License for Stevenson Tree Care LLC
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.
- Public Hearing for Budget Estimate for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020 and Ending June 30, 2021
- Resolution for Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
- Third Reading of Ordinance No. 481 Amending the Code of Ordinances by Amending Chapter 74.05 Pertaining to Golf Carts and Utility Trail Vehicles (UTVs)
- Approval of Ordinance No. 481 Pertaining to Golf Carts and Utility Trail Vehicles (UTVs)
- Motion to Approve the Safety and Work Policies for Public Works Employees
- Discuss Mobile Food Trucks
- Discuss Possible Purchase of Used Maintainer
- Discuss Community Plan for COVID-19
- Jason Passmore Update on Howard County Business and Tourism
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
CLOSED SESSION pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (i):
OPEN SESSION:
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 MARCH 13, 2020.
MINUTES
Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 16, 2020, at 7:00 pm at City Hall. Council Members Brenno, McCarville, Fortune, Bouska, and Carman were present. No council members were absent.
Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the March 2, 2020 Council meeting; Tree Surgeon License for Stevenson Tree Care LLC. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Bohle read a thank you note from a recipient of the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation grant to enable her to make improvements and energy efficiency upgrades to her home.
Public Works Director Freidhof submitted a report: (a) repairing potholes and the sweeper is cleaning streets; (b) regarding COVID-19, the water system is safe and the wastewater facility should be safe as long as all procedures are followed.
Police Chief Ruroden reported he is busy working with other entities and following proper policies and procedures regarding the COVID-19 issues.
City Clerk Girolamo reported: (a) the TIF training for March 30th has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date; (b) an update on the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program: one house is almost finished, a second home has a contractor working on it, a third home passed the initial inspection and is ready for the historical clearance, three additional homes are ready for the initial inspection; (c) the Airport Commission requested a worksession with the Council regarding the possible new hangars. It will be scheduled for 5:30 pm on April 6, 2020; (d) been crazy with all the COVID-19 issues.
Fortune reported the Theatre Commission is re-evaluating and updating the rental agreement for outside parties for rental of the Theatre auditorium. The joint Cresco Community Theater and Cresco Theatre Commission Murder Mystery dinners were a huge success over the weekend. The proceeds will all go to new rigging and curtains for the stage.
Brenno reported the Park Board met and memberships are up slightly to 722. There was discussion regarding the damages done to the walking path and Frisbee golf course at East park from people driving on it.
Carman reported that Wayne Mashek presented a check to the Library Board for about $200 for the fundraiser they had at the A&W. Two new part-time employees, Lisa Blankenship and Connie Sellung, have been hired. Library Director Kay reported contractors will begin working on the concrete project.
Mayor Bohle opened the public hearing for the proposed Budget Estimate for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Bouska made the motion to approve the Resolution for Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for fiscal year July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Bohle performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 481 amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 74.05 pertaining to Golf Carts and Utility Trail Vehicles (UTVs). McCarville made a motion to approve the third reading. Carman seconded. Fortune, Brenno, Carman and McCarville voted aye. Bouska voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.
Brenno made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 481 pertaining to Golf Carts and Utility Trail Vehicles (UTVs). Carman seconded. McCarville, Carman, Fortune, and Brenno voted aye. Bouska voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.
Freidhof explained the Safety and Work Policies for the public works had not been updated since 1997 so it was updated to reflect current operating policies. Carman made the motion to approve the Safety and Work Policies. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.
Girolamo reported she received notice that Fat-T’s will be serving food out of a mobile food truck. The State of Iowa has issued a Level 2 License which means food would not be prepared in the truck. He will be selling only from Featherlite’s parking lots to Featherlite employees. The City requested copies of his license and inspection report with no additional licensing requirement unless there is a change in his operations. Council decided a new ordinance should be written to address mobile food vendors that request the ability to sell from public streets, parking lots, or parks etc. Girolamo will compose a proposed ordinance using samples from other cities for the Council to decide on the specific details.
Freidhof explained that Howard County has a 1995 maintainer they would sell to the City for $55,000. An oil sample has been submitted for analysis but the results have not been received yet. The City’s 1984 maintainer is probably worth around $20,000 as online they sell anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000. The City does currently have two and would sell the oldest one if it purchases a new one. The Street Department compiled a list of benefits a maintainer has over a truck and blade. The current budget does include $60,000 for the purchase of a maintainer. Bouska made the motion to purchase the maintainer contingent on the results of the oil test. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
A meeting was held with the Mayor, several Department Heads, and Howard County Emergency Management Darrell Knecht. Due to Governor Reynolds closing of the schools, the joint decision was to close the Fitness Center, Library, Theatre, and City Hall. Full-time staff will continue to work as needed but the buildings will be closed to the public until further notice. We have participated in several community meetings, conference calls, and webinars to stay informed of the impact of COVID-19. The hospital encourages people to call before going to the hospital. Darrell Knecht hopes to set up a joint information system and a phone number for people to call that are willing to volunteer. Meals on Wheels are still delivering meals. Council approved the refund of rent deposit checks for Kessel Lodge and Champlin Hall for cancellations. Council will discuss posting fees, water shut-offs, and Fitness Center dues at the next meeting.
Jason Passmore will update the Council on Howard County Business & Tourism at a future meeting.
Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Bouska made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (i) at 7:37 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. Carman made a motion to go back into open session at 8:32 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. There was no formal action taken during the closed session.
Carman moved to adjourn at 8:33 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 6, 2020, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo