November 18, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019 | Updated: October 16, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   NOVEMBER 18, 2019

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.

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Approval of Minutes from November 4, 2019
  1. Approval of Street Closing for Jolly Christmas 1.5 Mile Run/Walk on December 8, 2019 for a portion of 2nd Avenue West from the Cresco Theatre to North Elm

 

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. Abstract of Votes as Certified by the Board of Supervisors of Howard County, in the State of Iowa
  2. Oath of Office for Elected Officials
  3. Resolution Fixing Date for a Public Hearing on the Proposal to Convey Real Property to BDM Developers, LLC, and Providing for Publication of Notice Thereof
  4. Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Renew the Health Insurance Contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company
  5. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Information Technology Services Agreement and Statement of Work with Solutions, Inc
  6. Discuss Communication Issues with Solar System
  7. Discuss Proposed Fitness Center Expansion and Improvements
  8. Discuss Possible Incentive Plan for ACH Payment of Water Bills

 

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 15, 2019.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on November 18, 2019, at 7:00 pm at City Hall. Council Members Brenno, McCarville, Fortune, Bouska and Carman were present. No council members were absent.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the November 4, 2019 meeting; street closing for the Jolly Christmas 1.5K mile walk/run on December 8, 2019 for a portion of 2nd Ave W from the Theatre to N Elm Street. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Bohle read a letter from Iowa Rural Water stating that Mike Born was nominated by the Iowa DNR for Operator of the Year for Region I. Mike was recognized as runner-up and was awarded a certificate of accomplishment. There are approximately 200 wastewater treatment plants in northeast Iowa so the City is proud of his nomination.

Public Works Director Freidhof reported: (a) attended an IMU Safety Alliance meeting and scheduled safety trainings for next year; (b) Complete Tree Service has started removing ash trees so hopefully can get those done in the next three weeks; (c) first watermain break of the season on 5th Avenue West and was repaired in record time of about a half hour; (d) the Vernon Road is now open, the storm sewer is about 99% completed and water is almost finished. The Engineers will do a checklist later this week; (e) the Notre Dame School has requested no parking during school hours on 2nd Street East by the playground. Bouska congratulated the City for receiving the SolSmart Bronze Certification and she thanked Rod for his work on getting that done.

City Clerk Girolamo reported that Niki attended several trainings the past couple of weeks. In following up from last meeting, a sample resolution was reviewed for putting signs up in the parks prohibiting nicotine use. A resolution will be drafted for the next meeting.

Airport Commission Member Joe Lawrence reported at their last meeting they worked on their budget and five-year plan. They will be applying for a grant for three free-standing hangars. The hangars could be built for about $16,000 each with no doors or concrete floors or aprons. Perhaps after building hangars for two or three years, they would apply for grants to purchase doors and doing the concrete work.

Library Director Cynthia Kay reported the Library Board worked on the budget and five-year plan. There are issues with a furnace and some pressure testing will be done on the system. The concrete project may need to include threshold work on the utility doors on the west side.

The Abstract of Votes as certified by the Howard County Supervisors for the recent election were read: City Council At-Large David Brenno 822 votes, 15 scattering; City Council Ward 3 Jan Carman 265 votes, 4 scattering; City Council Ward 1 Alex Fortune 195 votes, 3 scattering; Mayor Mark Kubik 370 votes, Mark Bohle 573 votes, 8 scattering. The Board of Supervisors of Howard County duly nominated for the office of the City of Cresco: David Brenno City Council At-Large; Jan Carman City Council Ward 3; Alex Fortune City Council Ward 1; Mark Bohle Mayor.

The Oath of Office was performed by David Brenno, Jan Carman, Alex Fortune and Mark Bohle.

McCarville made the motion to approve the resolution fixing the date of December 2, 2019 for a public hearing on the proposal to convey real property to BDM Developers, LLC, and providing for publication of notice thereof. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the City Clerk to renew the health insurance contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

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

Girolamo explained that there have been communication and reporting issues with the solar array at Well #4 due to inverters and the internet service issues. Council agreed to split the Perry Novak Electric bill with Solar Pro and pay $134.38.

The proposed improvements and renovation project at the Cresco Wellness and Thomson Pool was discussed. Scott Thomson and the Thomson Family would like to make a substantial donation. The project will include 22.5% of funds raised for a fund for maintenance. It was decided that the City should conduct a survey of patrons and non-patrons for community feedback on potential items to include in the project. A committee will be assembled with City representatives and community members to oversee the survey, fundraising, and the project. McCarville made the motion to hire Ron Fiscus of PlanScape Partners to conduct a special training for Council on TIF and its impacts and potential uses in Cresco for funding purposes. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. Scott Thomson has agreed to pay for half of the TIF training expense. The Thomson Family has also generously agreed to pay for the majority of the pool and spa resurfacing project and will present a check to the Fitness Center in early December.

Girolamo suggested that this may be a good time to do an incentive plan for City utility customers to sign up for ACH payment of water bills. Processing time is reduced tremendously each month for payments that are processed electronically. To encourage new customers to sign up for ACH and a thank you to the many customers already utilizing the ACH program, a $10 gift certificate to Cresco Area Chamber member businesses will be distributed. These gift certificates will also encourage shopping locally. The Chamber has agreed to help developing and administering the gift certificates. Enrollment in email delivery of bills will also be encouraged. The incentive program will be mailed in conjunction with the Fitness Center surveys.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. The Boy Scouts were in attendance and Council thanked them for attending. Jason Passmore reminded everyone the annual Chamber/CIDC banquet is November 23rd. The auction proceeds will go towards covered bleachers in East Park. The Organization of the Year will be recognized and this year it is the Cresco Firefighters. The Business of the Year that will be honored is Quilter’s Garden.

Carman moved to adjourn at 7:48 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.  The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be December 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2019 City Council Agendas, Minutes