Posted: March 26, 2020 | Updated: September 11, 2023
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC ELECTRONIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: MARCH 27, 2020
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 5:30 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 by telephone: 1-929-399-7680 (PIN: 391352840)
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED
GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE. THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAD MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:
ROLL CALL: BRENNO, McCARVILLE, FORTUNE, BOUSKA, CARMAN
BUSNESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Discuss Possible Waiver of Penalties, Deliquent Notices, Shut-offs, and Other Due to Covid-19
- Discuss Fitness Center Dues and Other Fees Due to COVID-19
- Resolution Authorizing a Waiver of Charges and Fees Due to COVID-19
- Discuss Stay at Home Recommendations and Employee Pay Due to COVID-19
- Discuss City’s Revolving Loan Fund and Possible Loan Opportunities Due to COVID-19
- Discuss Certification Pay Request for Supervisors
- Discuss Water and Sewer Rates for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020
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 SAD GOVERNMENTAL BODY. POSTED MARCH 26, 2020.
MINUTES
Mayor Bohle called the special Cresco City Council meeting to order on March 27, 2020, at 5:30 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/wrj-obnb-ato or by telephone 1-929-399-7680 pin # 391-352-840.
Discussion was held on various penalties and fees charged by the City in normal operations. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Council decided to waive the April 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 April 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 90 days old. The Kessel Lodge April rent for the mealsite will be waived. A three-month holiday will be granted for existing revolving loan funds, in which time no additional interest will accrue. Fitness Center dues for one month will be waived. Carman made the motion to approve a resolution waiving the aforementioned fees for one month. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Discussion was held on whether to keep full-time staff working until a “stay at home order” is issued by Governor Reynolds. Staff will continue to practice social distancing and avoid unnecessary contact with other departments. Determination of pay issues will be made if some employees are forced to stay home in the future.
The City has $100,000 in the Revolving Loan Fund for loans to help local businesses. Council determined that a good use of those funds would be to do a COVID-19 Business Continuation Loan Program. Application would be short and simple with favorable repayment terms and low interest rate. Bouska, Brenno, Bohle, and Girolamo (Carman will help as needed) will work together to get the application and terms written up so businesses can get the money as soon as possible.
Howard County Community Foundation approached the City with a request for donating to the Howard County COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund. Council was receptive to the idea but wanted a clearer understanding of where the funds would go to make sure they would help local residents. An amount to donate will be determined at the next council meeting.
Council discussed certification pay for the Water and Wastewater Department Supervisors. The question was brought up whether supervisors should get the same $.25/hour increase in pay for all certifications held that the laborers get. Because certain certifications are required for the supervisor, the Personnel Committee recommended only paying extra for certifications held that are above the required certs up to a Grade 3 Wastewater and Grade 2 Water. It was also recommended to continue to count Water Treatment and Distribution certifications as one since both are needed at each grade even though they are separate tests. McCarville made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Carman moved to adjourn at 6:17 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be April 6, 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