March 22, 2021

Posted: March 19, 2021 | Updated: August 25, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MARCH 22, 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.

 

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims (from March 15, 2021 cancelled meeting)
  3. Approval of Minutes from March 1, 2021
  4. Approval of Minutes from March 12, 2021 Worksession

 

STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Public Works
  2. Police
  3. Administration
  4. Committee Updates

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

BUSINESS:  There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

 

  1. Daren Sikkink from WHKS to Present Proposed Plans for the 7th St SW Construction and Utility Installation Project
  2. Discuss and Possible Motion to Approve Quote for Four 199kbtu 95% Efficiency Boilers for the Fitness Center
  3. Review HVAC Study Proposals and Possible Motion to Approve Proposal for HVAC Study for the Fitness Center
  4. Discuss the Tax Abatement Program under the Urban Revitalization Plan
  5. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Enter into a Third Party Administration Service Agreement with Employee Benefit Systems (“EBS)
  6. Discuss Winter Adjustments for Water and Sewer Credits for Freezing Water Lines
  7. Discuss Policy Acknowledgement and Agreement to Abide by City Policies
  8. Motion to Extend Emergency Leave under the American Rescue Plan Act from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021
  9. 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 MARCH 19, 2021.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 22, 2021, at 5:30 pm. Council Members Brenno, McConnell, Bouska, and Carman were present. Council Member Fortune was absent.

Carman requested a change in the agenda to discuss item #3 before item #2 and all agreed. Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims (from March 15, 2021 cancelled meeting); minutes from March 1, 2021 meeting and March 12, 2021 worksession. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) watermain break on March 4th on 2nd St E was repaired; (b) small watermain looping project on 3rd St SW will begin soon. This will eliminate a couple of pit meters from the old trailer court. A portion of 3rd St SW will be ripped up but will be replaced with concrete possibly later in the summer to allow settling and packing; (c) Street Department busy sweeping streets, preparing equipment for summer, and filling potholes with cold mix; (d) Wastewater Department is busy with spring cleaning of the plant, lift stations, and addressing troubled trunk lines.

Police Chief Ruroden reported Ben is currently attending the Academy for the next nine weeks.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the online portal is live and a flyer will go out with the water bills promoting it; (b) Bill created a job application for people to type in and submit their job application online; (c) FEMA reported approval of almost $7,700 for reimbursement of our COVID expenses; (d) hope to start on the Strategic Plan soon and researching bonding potentials.

Library Director Kay reported performance evaluations have been completed. She submitted the annual State Library Accreditation. They are updating the Teen Room, with assistance from the Library Foundation, and organizing the Summer Library Programming.

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

Daren Sikkink from WHKS presented proposed plans for the 7th St SW Construction and Utility Installation Project. The proposed plan included storm sewer, watermain, sanitary sewer, and street replacement on 7th St SW from 4th Ave W to Hwy 9. The project would also include new storm sewer along Hwy 9 as well as a potential dry-basin detention pond and drainage ditch improvements. The proposal also would cap the sinkhole that the DNR cited in a report in 1987 and route the storm water south. The preliminary construction cost opinion is $2,592,000 and would include assessments for street improvements to adjacent property owners to be calculated in the next phase. Brenno requested an alternative plan be drawn up starting at the low spot just north of the Hwy 9 intersection with cost estimates for that portion of the plan addressing solely the storm water issue. Mr. Sikkink will try to have alternative project estimates for the April 19, 2021 Council meeting.

Bouska reported the City received three proposals for conducting an HVAC Study for the Fitness Center: (a) MEP Associates of Eagan, MN $46,000; (b) Michaels Energy of La Crosse, WI $15,000 with an Alliant Energy reimbursement of $7,500; (c) Twin Rivers Engineering Consultants of Des Moines, IA $9,500.  The committee (Bouska, McConnell, Widell, and Girolamo) met to review the proposals. They recommend not considering the MEP proposal based on the cost. They determined the other two proposals were very similar in scope and cost. Bouska contacted Alliant Energy to see if the Twin Rivers proposal would also be eligible for an Alliant rebate. Alliant will review the proposal and, if it is approved, it would be eligible for a 50% reimbursement up to $7,500. Brenno made the motion to approve the proposal from Twin Rivers Engineering, if Alliant approves the reimbursement request. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held regarding the immediate need to replace the steam-to-hot-water heat exchanger at the Fitness Center. One of the steam boilers completely broke down and there are issues with the other one that is the same age. The other boiler is only a few years newer and it is feared it may not be able to sustain the additional load. The replacement of the steam boiler system for the old part of the building will be addressed in the HVAC study. The current system is failing to operate the dehumidifiers for the pool and to maintain the heating of the building even with the current warm temperatures. The proposed boilers would serve the new portions of the building. It needs to be done soon and cannot wait for the study results. McConnell made the motion to approve the quote from LT Mechanical to replace the steam-to-hot-water heat exchanger with four 199kbtu 95% efficiency boilers for $32,200 installed. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Girolamo explained that the Tax Abatement Program under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Cresco is expiring December 31, 2021. The Council needs to decide if they want to extend the program and if they want to change the terms of the plan. There are also some law changes taking effect at the same time. Jason Passmore will present a comparison of plans that neighboring cities offer for tax abatement programs at the April 5th meeting.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to enter into a Third-Party Administration Service Agreement with Employee Benefit Systems (“EBS”). Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Winter adjustments for water and sewer credits for running water to avoid frozen service lines will be calculated on the March bills because temperatures were cold for the first week of the billing cycle. Credits will not be calculated on future bills unless an extended cold spell hits.

City Clerk Girolamo reported that 97 of 98 active employees had returned the form for Policy Acknowledgement and Agreement to Abide for the five City policies enacted by the Council. A written objection was received regarding one policy but no written objection was received for the other four policies. The verbal response was that the employee acknowledged receipt of the policies but would not agree to abide by them. Council felt this action warranted dismissal for refusal to follow established policies. The Mayor and City Clerk were instructed to consult with legal counsel regarding this matter.

Bouska made the motion to extend Emergency Leave under the American Rescue Plan Act from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman read a statement from Regional Health Services regarding the vaccination process for Howard County. All people aged 65 and older, who registered with RHS, have received at least their first dose. A new online registration is opening this week for persons aged 18-64 with pre-existing conditions to register for vaccinations. Drive-thru clinics will be operated at the Expo Building and Kessel Lodge. RHS thanked the City for the use of the Kessel Lodge.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:50 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 5, 2021, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

Mayor: Mark Bohle
City Clerk: Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2021 City Council Agendas, Minutes