City Council – September 16, 2024 – Agenda & Minutes

Posted: September 13, 2024 | Updated: October 18, 2024

AGENDA

 

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

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:  CARMAN, BOUSKA, FOSAAEN, McCONNELL, KRIENER

 

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. Minutes from September 4, 2024

 

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: (This portion of the agenda is for comments that are not related to one of the items listed on the agenda.  Comments can only be received. No formal action by the Council can be taken.    Those making public comments will be asked to state their name and address, and to speak from the podium.)

 

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

 

  1. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the 2024 Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund Pledge Form
  2. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Water Tower Space Lease Agreement with MiBroadband
  3. Second Reading of the Summary of Proposed Ordinance No. 508 Amending Section 69.10 and Section 70.03 and Adding Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Pertaining to Declaring a Snow Emergency, Parking Regulations, and Parking Violations
  4. Second Reading of the Summary of Proposed Ordinance No. 513 Amending Chapter 138 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, for the 2024 Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan
  5. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance 514 which Amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Zoning Change for 114 7th Street West from M-1 to C-2
  6. Approval of Ordinance No. 514 Rezoning 114 7th Street West from M-1 to C-2 in the City of Cresco, Iowa
  7. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance 516 which Amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Zoning Change for 321 Vernon Rd from C-1 to R-2
  1. Possible Motion to Waive the 3rd Reading of Proposed Ordinance 516
  2. Possible Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 516 Rezoning 321 Vernon Road from C-1 to R-2 in the City of Cresco, Iowa
  3. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 517 Which Amends 50.06 (2) and Adding Section 50.08 Pertaining to Nuisance Abatement Procedure Methods of Service and Habitual Offenders
  4. Possible Motion to Waive the 2nd and 3rd Readings of Proposed Ordinance 517
  5. Possible Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 517 Pertaining to Nuisance Abatement Procedure Methods of Service and Habitual Offenders
  6. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Facilities Use Agreement with Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
  7. Resolution Accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and Directing the City Clerk to File the Report with the State of Iowa Department of Management
  8. Discuss Camper and Boat Parking on City Streets
  9. Resolution Approving Construction Contract and Bond for the Construction of the Cresco Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement
  10. Discuss Comprehensive Plan Update and Timeline

 

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 SEPTEMBER 13, 2024.

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on September 16, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, Bouska, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the September 4, 2024 meeting. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) two portions of sewer main have been fixed on 9th Street E; (b) water department will be fixing a leak down by the south wellhouse; (c) street department is busy with trees. Several ash trees that were treated in the past are exhibiting signs of potential disease; (d) met with WHKS last week about the inflow and infiltration on the southside. WHKS has previous smoke test results and information that was previously unknown. They recommend testing the force main and look at some other information before proceeding. Due to the additional information, the agreement will not be needed with Fehr Graham and we will continue to work with WHKS; (e) want to discuss snow removal from parking lots and the City removing the snow. Some of the business owners haul their own snow away, but some are placing it on City property when it shouldn’t be. Options include charging per square foot for the snow removal or requiring them to haul their own snow.

Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report for the police department.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) Capital Improvement Plan worksheets have been handed out to the departments; (b) will be sending out RFP’s for the next years audits; (c) Northeast Iowa Regional League has reformed. Any trainings and meetings will be shared with Council and staff; (d) will be attending Clerk School October 2 – 4th; (e) Iowa Economic Development Authority is hosting an event “Best City Practices” in Waukon on October 15th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. This is open to Council members, City Staff, volunteers, and business owners; (f) fall yardwaste resumes October 14th; (g) finishing up 125 Lead Service Line Inventory forms.

McConnell reported that the Airport Commission met and they are concerned about the piles from the project. They will be doing some runway repairs after the spraying season is finished.

McConnell reported that the Park Board met and are working on with the architect for the building project. A presentation will be done at a future council meeting. The pickleball players would like to have some additional lighting added to help light up the back section of the court. Looking at adding bleachers at the court as an Eagle Scout Project. A portion of the Kessel Lodge parking lot was finished last week with asphalt overlay. By using asphalt it was $50,000 less than the concrete option.

Hill presented an update on Theatre events: (a) the Looney Lutherans went well. There were 109 in attendance and made over $2,000; (b) Wendy and Dave Gosch met with the architect and engineers about the mechanical details of the Scene Shop. Will be going out for bids in the beginning of 2025; (c) Atomic Pizza held a memorial ride for Edie Slifka. All proceeds are being donated to the Scene Shop; (d) the live event with Colton Snider has been cancelled; (e) next live event is the Lee Hardin Comedy Show on October 19th.

Brenno explained the dirt at the airport has started to be leveled. WHKS will provide an estimate to add a pipe to help drain the area.

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

Bouska made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the 2024 Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund pledge form. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed leases for antennas that are placed on the water tower. Council would like an analysis done of the estimated cost of the electricity needed for the antennas prior to the next renewal date. Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Water Tower Space Lease Agreement with MiBroadband. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of the summary of proposed Ordinance 508 which amends section 69.10 and section 70.03 and adding Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pertaining to declaring a snow emergency, parking regulations, and parking violations. Bouska made the motion to approve the second reading. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of the summary of proposed Ordinance 513 which amends Chapter 138 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, for the 2024 Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan. Bouska made the motion to approve the second reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the third reading of proposed Ordinance 514 which amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa for a zoning change for 114 7th Street West. Kriener made the motion to approve the second reading. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 514 for rezoning 114 7th Street West to C-2. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of proposed Ordinance 516 which amends Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa for a zoning change for 321 Vernon Road. Kriener made the motion to approve the second reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made a motion to waive the 3rd reading of proposed Ordinance 516. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 516 for rezoning 321 Vernon Road to R-2. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune performed the first reading of proposed Ordinance 517 which amends Chapter 50 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa pertaining to nuisance abatement procedure methods of service and habitual offenders. Kriener made the motion to approve the first reading. McConnell seconded. Kriener, McConnell, Fosaaen, and Carman voted aye. Bouska voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.

Fosaaen made a motion to waiving the second and third reading of proposed Ordinance 517. Motion failed due to lack of second.

McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Facilities Use Agreement with Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kreiner made the motion to approve the resolution accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the State of Iowa Department of Management. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed parking regulations and recreational vehicle parking. Council is concerned about campers, boat trailers, and semi’s being parked for extended periods on city streets. The concerns are difficulty seeing traffic signs when parked close to the stop sign, street sweeper missing areas with extended parking, and garbage collections. Council would like to allow for contractors to be parked at the jobsite and allow a short window for campers and recreation vehicles to be unloaded. Recreational vehicles, campers, or boat trailers are not permitted to be parked in the front yard. Brenno and Ruroden will come up with some examples to update the ordinance.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve a Resolution Approving the Contract and Bond for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age-Related Equipment Replacement Project for Blazek Corporation. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill explained that Upper Explorerland is ready to start the Comprehensive Plan update. Previously, Council had expressed an interest in moving the timeframe from 12 months down to 8 months. Council would like to see what an updated timeframe looks like, but would like to start right away. Hill will reach out to Upper Explorerland to schedule a presentation.

Kriener moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:38 pm. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be October 7, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2024 City Council Agendas, Minutes