City Council- May 5, 2025 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: May 1, 2025 | Updated: May 15, 2025

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   MAY 5, 2025

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 April 21, 2025
  4. Minutes from April 21, 2025 Groundbreaking Ceremony
  5. Approval of Pay Request #1 for $21,226.50 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project
  6. Approval of Pay Request #2 for Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project for $151,862.58

 

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. Request from Brady Norman to Connect to City Water and Sewer
  2. Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 for the Scene Shop Project for the City of Cresco
  3. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 523 Pertaining to Water Service Lines
  4. Approval of Ordinance No. 523 Pertaining to Water Service Lines
  5. Motion to Set the Interest Rate for Assessments on the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project
  6. Motion to Authorize the Mayor and Public Works Director to Sign an Offer of Employment for the Street Department
  7. Discuss Water, Sewer and Yard Waste Rates
  8. Discuss Verizon Lease Buyout Options

 

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 MAY 1, 2025.

MINUTES

Mayor Pro Tem Bouska called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on May 5, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the April 21, 2025 meeting and groundbreaking ceremony; Pay Request #1 for $21,226.50 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project; Pay Request #2 for $151,862.58 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Project. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Dirt Worx is currently grinding wood chips at the yard waste site and expect to be done Wednesday. There have been four incidents of illegal dumping since April 21st; (b) Street Dept is working on alleys, getting pot holes filled, and adding rock; (c) the Aging Equipment Project at the wastewater treatment plant is going well. The digester building has been removed; (d) the storm sirens in downtown area and fairgrounds did not go off when they were tested on April 24th. Racom will be contacted to repair them; (e) will be attending a nuisance conference on May 21st in Mason City.

Patrol Officer Doeppke submitted the April Police report. Sergeant Welper and K-9 EmmyLou are attending a training this week. Lieutenant Fotiadis attended some additional first aide training. Equipment is being installed on the new Durango.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) April financials were included in the packet; (b) rehired Kade Munkel for the street summer help position; (c) openings on the Airport Commission, Park Board, Library Board, and Theatre Commission. Applications are available online or at City Hall and due by May 30th; (d) attended the Northeast Iowa Regional League meeting presentation on legislative updates. Next meeting will be July 29th in Monticello; (e) will be accepting the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project on May 19th.

Mayor Pro Tem Bouska recognized four employees with service anniversaries in May and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Mike Born – Sewer Dept 15 years; Brandon Kerian – Fitness Center 4 years; Sam Fotiadis – Police Dept 5 years; Peyton Ferrie – Street Dept 1 year.

Mayor Pro Tem Bouska asked for comments from the audience and there were none.

Brenno explained that water, sewer, and street department heads met with Brady Norman to review the plans for the potential housing development on York St. Kriener, Bouska, Fosaaen, and McConnell all reported receiving calls from residents with concerns about the development. Norman understood the concerns and assured Council that the homes would be built to code and he would address issues as they arise. Council would like to have the attorney draw up a resolution to grant the sewer connection and review at the May 19th meeting.

Carman made the motion to approve a resolution approving Change Order No. 1 for the Scene Shop Project for various cost saving options totaling a negative $24,443. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Pro Tem Bouska performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 523 pertaining to water service lines. Carman made a motion to approve the third reading. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 523 pertaining to water service lines. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made the motion to set the interest rate for the 7th Street West Reconstruction Project assessments at 5.1% which is 1% higher than the rate the City borrowed for the bond. Assessments can be paid interest-free within 30 days of the letter notifying them of their final assessment. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made a motion to authorize the Mayor Pro Tem to sign the Offer of Employment for the Street Laborer position with Dan Murphy. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Discussion was held regarding amending the water and sewer rate ordinances. Due to less demand, staff recommends a 9% water increase and 2% sewer increase and yard waste to increase by $1.25 due to the increase in cost to operate and DNR requirements. Council was hesitant to increase the rates but due to increase in operational costs, believe it is necessary. Carman made the motion to do a 9% increase on water rates, 2% on sewer rates, and $1.25 on yard waste rates. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.

Vertical Bridge has presented a cash offer to buy out the cellular tower lease. Council discussed the options and felt that it was in the best interest of the City to leave the lease as it was set up. Carman made a motion to decline the offer. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:23 pm. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 19, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Bouska
City Clerk Nicole Hill

 

Documents

2025 City Council Agendas, Minutes