November 16, 2020

Posted: November 13, 2020 | Updated: September 13, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   NOVEMBER 16, 2020

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 P.M. VIRTUAL MEETING 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/82251652825. Meeting ID: 822 5165 2825 or by telephone +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 822 5165 2825

 

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 November 2, 2020
  1. Approval of Minutes from November 2, 2020 Worksession
  2. Approval of Minutes from November 4, 2020 Worksession
  3. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Stanley and Gaurdis Krider
  4. Approval of Owner Occupied Housing Contractor Request for Payment #1 for $7,151.00 for All Season Construction
  5. Approval of Payment for Early Redemption of General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2010 for Approximately $188,112.72 on November 23, 2020

 

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. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Information Technology Services Agreement – Statement of Work with Solutions, Inc
  2. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with WHKS & Co. for the Pretreatment – Grit System Improvements Project
  3. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign the Health Insurance Contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
  4. Resolution Authorizing Signers on Depository Accounts
  5. Motion to Approve the Offer of Employment for a Full-Time Wastewater Operator Position
  6. Discuss Changing the Date of the January 4, 2021 Council Meeting
  7. Discuss BOPPO Enterprises (Stopperan Family) Property
  8. 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 NOVEMBER 13, 2020.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on November 16, 2020, at 7:00 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/82251652825. Meeting ID: 822 5165 2825 or by telephone +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 822 5165 2825.

Brenno made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the November 2, 2020 meeting; minutes of the November 2nd and 4th  worksessions; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Stanley and Gaurdis Krider; Owner Occupied Housing contractor request for payment #1 for $7,151.00 for All Season Construction; payment for early redemption of General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2010 for approximately $188,112.72 on November 23, 2020. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Widell reported: (a) mailed out a few nuisance letters; (b) forwarded a nuisance to Joe Braun for not taking action to a letter that was sent out; (c) repaired a water main break on Prospect St and Valley Manor on November 12th; (d) Rod and I will be attending the Northeast Iowa Safety Association virtual meeting on Tuesday. By being a member of this organization, the City saves money on their insurance premiums; (e) Wastewater position has not been filled yet.

City Clerk Girolamo reported (a) the October 2020 Financial Statements were submitted; (b) donations were received from the Shirley Bigalk Davis Estate for the Library Foundation $28,907.82, Theatre $28,907.82, and Fitness Center $76,093.32. The Boards are discussing potential projects and will do thank you notes. The Council appreciated these and will also send a thank you note; (c) the six houses in the Housing Rehab project are progressing; (d) the Cresco Firefighters want to thank all the community support they received for their drive-thru pancake supper, where they served over 1,000 meals.

Fortune reported the Theatre Commission met and discussed the upcoming budget. Wendy is applying for the COVID Relief Grant from the State for theatres in Iowa.

McConnell and Bohle reported the Fire Committee met to discuss the budget. The budgeted operating expenses will be higher but will use the reserve balance to pay these so the contribution from the City and Rural will stay the same. The utilities, insurance, and maintenance will increase due to the new building so the funding from the City and Rural will increase about $1650 each for the Fire Building Fund.

Library Director Kay reported they are limiting the size of groups utilizing the program room and enforcing COVID precautions. The Library Board discussed the new budget requests.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Information Technology Services Agreement – Statement of Work with Solutions, Inc. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with WHKS & Co. for the Pretreatment – Grit System Improvements Project. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fortune made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign the health insurance contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and to reduce the City’s contribution for employee’s H.S.A. to $50 per month. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution Authorizing Signers on Depository Accounts which replaces PWD Rodney Freidhof with PWD Nathan Widell and replaces City Clerk Michelle Girolamo with Deputy Clerk Teresa McGee. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

The wastewater position has not yet been filled so there will be no action taken at this meeting.

Brenno made the motion to change the date of the Council meeting from Monday January 4, 2021 to Wednesday January 6, 2021 due to the New Year’s Holiday. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held regarding emails received from BOPPO Enterprises regarding 27 acres of property they own in the city limits. Possible grant opportunities and potential uses of the land were discussed. The Council did not think it was in the best interest of the City to purchase the land but would consider it if it was donated to the City. The City would then need to figure out what the land could be used for and what grants and estimated costs would be for maintaining or developing it. McConnell made the motion to decline the offer to purchase the property at fair market value but the City would be willing to discuss options if it was donated. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

City Hall is closed to the public and all employees are wearing masks when in close proximity of each other. Several employees are in quarantine with a couple positive cases throughout the City departments. Precautions are being taken. Due to the outbreak in the community, the staff requested permission to waive shut-off notice posting and actually shutting off services this month. Fortune made the motion to waive posting of shut-off notices and performing shut-offs due to non-payment for November 2020. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. Jason Passmore reported the CIDC/Chamber Banquet will be held virtually on November 19, 2020 at 4:30 pm and the online auction is currently going on. The Santa Parade on November 27, 2020 will require masking and socially distancing for participants and spectators.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:30 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be December 7, 2020, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall unless a virtual meeting is deemed necessary.

 

Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo

2020 City Council Agendas, Minutes