September 9, 2020

Posted: September 3, 2020 | Updated: September 13, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             7:00 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, 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 August 17, 2020
  4. Approval of Minutes from August 25, 2020 Special Meeting with Board of Adjustments
  1. Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales to Barbara E. Holstrom d/b/a The Pub
  2. Request for Street Closing for Portions of North Elm Street and Second Avenue West for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest (Downtown Sales/Vendors & Outdoor Movie) on September 19, 2020
  3. Approval of Special Class C Liquor License (BW) (Beer/Wine) with Outdoor Service to Atomic Pizza Pub LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub (Expanded Outdoor Beer Garden for September 19, 2020)
  4. Request for Street Closing for Portion of Second Avenue West for the Cresco Theatre Smokey & the Bandit Show & Shine (Car Cruise) on September 26, 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. Public Hearing for Proposed Ordinance No. 486 to Amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Fireworks
  2. Second Reading of the Summary of Proposed Ordinance No. 486 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Fireworks
  3. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from CIA Insurance
  4. Request for Council to Implement a No Jake Braking Ordinance
  5. Resolution Accepting the Annual Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and Directing the Clerk to File the Report with the Iowa Auditor of State
  6. Resolution Approving and Adopting the City Street Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and Directing the Clerk to File the Report with the Iowa Department of Transportation
  7. Motion to Write Off $84.73 Utility Bill as Uncollectible
  8. Discuss Development Agreement Pertaining to 218 5th Avenue East
  9. Discuss Lexipol Solutions Proposal for a Customized Policy Management, Update, and Training Solution for the Cresco Police Department
  10. Discuss Renewal of RAGBRAI CD
  11. Presentation of City of Cresco Energy Review
  12. Discuss Procedures for Filling Council Vacancy
  13. Resolution Establishing a Fund Within the City’s Accounts – Fund #322 Scene Shop Project and Authorizing Transfer of Funds
  14. Motion to Proceed with the Demolition of the Scene Shop
  15. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement for Facility Use with Howard County Public Health Department
  16. 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 SEPTEMBER 3, 2020.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on September 9, 2020, at 7:00 pm. Council Members Brenno, Fortune, Bouska, and Carman were present. Council Member McCarville was absent.

Mayor Bohle read a letter from Council Member McCarville stating that he needed to resign from the Council effective August 27, 2020 due to health issues.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the August 17th meeting and August 25th special meeting with the Board of Adjustments; Class C Liquor License (LC) (commercial) with outdoor service and Sunday sales to Barbara E. Holstrom d/b/a The Pub; street closing for portions of North Elm Street and Second Avenue West for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest (downtown sales/vendors & outdoor movie) on September 19, 2020; Special Class C Liquor License (BW) (beer/wine) with outdoor service to Atomic Pizza Pub LLC d/b/a Atomic Pizza Pub (expanded outdoor Beer Garden for September 19, 2020); street closing for portion of Second Avenue West for the Cresco Theatre Smokey & the Bandit Show & Shine (Car Cruise) on September 26, 2020. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Freidhof reported: (a) chip sealing is done for the year and are now sweeping up the chips and getting equipment ready for winter; (b) Water Department is finished with patching and valve work, will start replacing hydrants; (c) we had issues at some lift stations and the WWTP due to the heavy rain last week. A pump failed at one of the lift stations so that will need to be replaced; (d) the application for the tree grant is due November 1st. We will apply but priority will probably be given to victims of the Derecho.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the monthly police report. He reported the officers are doing trainings and participated in a STEP program over the holiday weekend.

City Clerk Girolamo reported: (a) Teresa and I will be attending webinars September 16-18 for the Iowa League of Cities virtual conference; (b) attending webinars and submitting reimbursement applications with FEMA and the State of Iowa; (c) Regional Health Services will do a drive-thru flu clinic on September 22nd and October 12th in the Kessel Lodge parking lot; (d) Black Hills Energy offers pipeline awareness meetings for emergency responders and public officials; (e) working on the Annual Urban Renewal Report.

Brenno reported the Park Board met. Since there were no quotes received for the East Park Bleacher Project, an estimate from A&J Construction was approved for the concrete portion of $22,330 and work will be done this fall. The roof portion will be about $26,000 but may not be done until next year. Pledges have been received for about $20,000 for this project. All grade school football programs went to Flag Football this year instead of tackle. Participation in football and volleyball is way down. The Northeast Iowa Swim Team will start using the pool.

Mayor Bohle opened the public hearing for proposed Ordinance No. 486 to amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to Fireworks. There were no oral or written comments and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Bohle performed the second reading of the summary of proposed Ordinance No. 486. Carman made the motion to approve the second reading. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to deny the request for sewer adjustment for water not entering the sanitary sewer system from CIA Insurance. The decision was based on denial of prior requests where customers forgot to shut off the water after watering their lawn. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

A request was received to install “No Jake-Braking” signs on Highway 9. Since that is a State Highway, the Iowa DOT will install the signs but only if the City approves a new ordinance to disallow Jake-Braking within city limits. Carman made the motion to proceed with an ordinance to disallow Jake-Braking. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution accepting the Annual Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2019-2020 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the Iowa Auditor of State. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution approving and adopting the City Street Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2019-2020 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to write off $84.73 utility bill for an estate as uncollectible. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

A letter from Aaron Wemark was discussed requesting the deadline in the Development Agreement to build a house at 218 5th Avenue East be extended to February 1, 2020. Brenno made the motion to extend the deadline and charge $889 which is an estimated 50% of lost property taxes. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Police Chief Ruroden presented a proposal from Lexipol Solutions for a customized policy management, update, and training solution for the Cresco Police Department. The current policies and procedures were originally done about 18 years ago. Bouska made the motion to approve the contract pro-rated for this fiscal year for $2,834.33. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Following the last RAGBRAI, remaining funds were put into a 3-year CD which matures September 15th. Bouska made a motion to commit the balance for a future RAGBRAI celebration and to invest it in another 3-year CD. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council Member Bouska presented the City of Cresco Energy Review. In 2016 the City received a grant, giving us the services of an Energy Efficiency Engineer for a year. The Council adopted the City’s Energy & Sustainability Goals. Since then the City has made several energy upgrades especially in LED lights and air conditioner replacements. Solar Energy has saved the City approximately $10,000 per year. The City needs to use life-cycle cost comparisons when replacing a/c units, heat-pumps, and furnaces. The Fitness Center also needs to consider installing a demand controller.

Procedures for filling a council member vacancy was discussed. The Council can decide whether to fill the vacancy by making an appointment or having a special election. A special election would cost about $2,000. A Notice of Intent must be published for an appointment and the term would expire at the next City election in November 2021. Fortune made the motion to publish a Notice of Intent for filling the vacancy by appointment at the regular Council meeting October 5, 2020 at 7 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. Interested persons can apply at City Hall. The public has the right to file a petition within 14 days of the appointment and require a special election.

Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution establishing a fund within the City’s accounts – Fund #322 Scene Shop Project and authorizing transfer of funds. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the demolition of the Scene Shop and approve the quote from Mehmert. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for facility use with Howard County Public Health Department for the Kessel Lodge. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

The Library is the only city building not open to the public. They will allow patrons to make appointments to use the computers and browse for books.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. Library Director Kay discussed concrete work that needs to be done on the south side of the Library.

Jason Passmore reported a masked and socially distanced Norman Borlaug Fest will be held September 19-20. It will mainly be downtown with vendors, cook-outs, free outdoor movie “Remember the Titans” as well as a tractor pull at the fairgrounds and other events including a curbside breakfast by Kiwanis at the Heritage Event Center. A ribbon cutting was held at Prime Management and Development in their newly remodeled building. The Chamber and Fitness will do the Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween.

Carman moved to adjourn at 7:53 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be September 21, 2020, at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2020 City Council Agendas, Minutes