May 4, 2020

Posted: May 1, 2020 | Updated: September 11, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC ELECTRONIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MAY 4, 2020

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 P.M. Join Hangouts Meet (see log-in below)

 

Note: Council Members will be utilizing Google Hangouts 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/qvv-pkfo-ghw or by telephone ‪+1 267-518-3705 PIN: 261 151 526#

 

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.

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Approval of Minutes from April 20, 2020
  4. Approval of Minutes from April 16, 2020 Work Session
  1. Approval of Class E Liquor License (LE) and Class C Beer Permit (Carryout Beer) and Class B Wine Permit to Fareway Stores, Inc d/b/a Fareway Stores, Inc #815
  1. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Tyler and Rebecca Darland

 

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 to Amend the Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020
  2. Approval of Resolution Amending the Current Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020
  3. Third Reading of Ordinance No. 483 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Water Rates
  4. Approval of Ordinance No. 483 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Water Rates
  5. Third Reading of Ordinance No. 484 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges
  6. Approval of Ordinance No. 484 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges
  7. Set Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 482 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Adding Provisions Pertaining to Mobile Food Units
  8. First Reading of Summary of Ordinance No. 482 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Adding Provisions Pertaining to Mobile Food Units
  9. Discuss Issues Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
  10. Approval of Resolution to Waive Charges Due to COVID-19 for May 2020

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

CLOSED SESSION pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (c) to Discuss Potential Litigation Matters

 

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 MAY 1, 2020.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on May 4, 2020, at 7:00 pm via electronic means. 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/qvv-pkfo-ghw or by telephone ‪+1 267-518-3705 PIN: 261 151 526#.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the April 20 and 16, 2020 meetings; Class E Liquor License (LE) and Class C Beer Permit (carryout beer) and Class B Wine Permit to Fareway Stores, Inc d/b/a Fareway Stores, Inc #815; tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Tyler and Rebecca Darland. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Freidhof reported: (a) everyone is staying busy working with contractors, HyVee, and finishing the Vernon Road project; (b) contractors are sandblasting and painting fire hydrants.

The police report for April was reviewed.

City Clerk Girolamo reported: (a) the Census in Howard County has a 67% response rate and Cresco has 71%. Please file as soon as possible. They are still looking for census workers; (b) we have received seven new applications for the Revolving Loan Fund Business Continuation Loan so hopefully we get more before the May 18th deadline; (c) the Library and Fitness Center plan to have a limited reopening on May 18th. We are still working out the details but will have restricted areas in both buildings, reduced hours, encouraging social distancing, and the use of face masks. The swimming pool, spa, locker rooms, and playgrounds in the parks are still closed under the Governor’s proclamation; (d) the Iowa Utilities Board is requiring the City to do new reporting regarding past due utility accounts for a year.

Mayor Bohle opened the Public Hearing to amend the budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. There were no written or oral comments. The public hearing was closed. McCarville made the motion to approve the resolution amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Bohle performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 483 pertaining to water rates. Carman made the motion to approve the third reading. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. Bouska made the motion approve Ordinance No. 483 pertaining to water rates. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Bohle performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 484 pertaining to sewer service charges. McCarville made the motion to approve the third reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. Carman made the motion approve Ordinance No. 484 pertaining to sewer service charges. McCarville seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to set the Public Hearing for May 18, 2020 for Ordinance No. 482 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by adding provisions pertaining to mobile food units. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. Mayor Bohle performed the first reading of the summary of Ordinance No. 482 pertaining to mobile food units. Carman made the motion to approve the first reading. McCarville seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held on the projected impact that COVID-19 will have on revenues. The majority of revenue comes from property tax so that should all be collected although some payments may be paid late. The Fitness Center will take a big hit for the two month closure which is estimated to cost about $89,000 from loss of membership dues, daily sales, swimming lessons, and summer rec programs. The fund that will be hurt the worst will be the Road Use Tax Fund which is the Street Department. The fund balance will sustain it for at least a year at which time we hope the revenue picks up again. Brenno suggested that we need to review big projects before spending money and possibly reducing services. We have delinquent utility bills from 22 customers. Seven of those have not made any payment since March 1st.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Council decided to waive the May 13th late penalties for utilities and not mail delinquent notices. Shut-off notices will not be posted and water will not be shut off in May due to nonpayment. All residents are encouraged to pay as much as they can so the balances do not keep accumulating. Letters and payment arrangements will be mailed to accounts over 60 days old. The May Kessel Lodge rent for the mealsite will be waived. Fitness Center dues for one month will be waived. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution to waive charges due to COVID-19 for May 2020. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

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

Carman made the motion to adjourn and go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (c) to discuss potential litigation matters at 7:28 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 18, 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

 

Documents

2020 City Council Agendas, Minutes