September 4, 2019

Posted: September 3, 2019 | Updated: October 16, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   SEPTEMBER 4, 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 August 19, 2019
  1. Approval of Minutes from August 19, 2019 Worksession
  2. Request for Street Closing Permit for Annual Power of Pink 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 12, 2019 for portions of 7th Ave W, 2nd St W, 8th Ave W, 8th Ave E, 8th St E, 12th Ave E, Yankee Ave, and 7th Ave E
  3. Request for Parade Permit for the CHS Homecoming Parade on September 20, 2019 for portions of 8th St E, 5th Ave, 7th St E, 3rd Ave and N Elm St
  4. Request for Parade Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on September 21, 2019 for portions of 6th Ave W, 6th Ave E and N Elm St
  5. Request for Street Closing Permit for Cruise to Cresco on September 21, 2019 for portions of S Park Place, N Park Place and N Elm St
  6. Request for Street Closing Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest on September 21-22, 2019 for portions of N Elm St
  7. Request for Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Tent on September 18-22, 2019 for portions of Southside Parking Lot

 

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 Zoning Change from R-4 to R-3 for the Area Between the Vernon Road, 4th Avenue SW, 3rd Street SW and 5th Avenue SW
  2. Resolution Authorizing Change of Zoning from R-4 Mobile Home Park District to R-3 Medium Density Residential District
  3. Resolution Accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa, for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 and Directing the Clerk to File the Report with the State of Iowa Department of Management
  4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Engagement Agreement with Ahlers and Cooney, PC to Perform Services for Preparation of Purchase and Development Agreement for Housing Development RFP
  5. Resolution Waiving the Requirements of Chapter 170 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding the 2nd Avenue Condominium Complex
  6. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a 28E Agreement with Howard County for the Vernon Road Watermain Reconstruction and Drainage Project
  7. Discuss Lexipol Solutions Proposal for Updating Police Policies and Procedures
  8. Discuss City Parking Lot Signage Downtown
  9. Discuss Proposed Alliant Energy Rate Increases

 

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, 2019.

MINUTES

Mayor Bohle called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on September 4, 2019, at 7:00 pm at City Hall. Council Members Brenno, McCarville, Fortune, Bouska and Carman were present. No council members were absent.

Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes of the August 19, 2019 meeting and work session; Street Closing Permit for the annual Power of Pink 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 12, 2019 for portions of 7th Ave W, 2nd St W, 8th Ave W, 8th Ave E, 8th St E, 12th Ave E, Yankee Ave, and 7th Ave E; Parade Permit for the CHS Homecoming Parade on September 20, 2019 for portions of 8th St E, 5th Ave, 7th St E, 3rd Ave and N Elm St; Parade Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on September 21, 2019 for portions of 6th Ave W, 6th Ave E and N Elm St; Street Closing Permit for Cruise to Cresco on September 21, 2019 for portions of S Park Place, N Park Place and N Elm St; Street Closing Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest on September 21-22, 2019 for portions of N Elm St; Permit for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Tent on September 18-22, 2019 for portions of Southside Parking Lot. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes. Bouska commented that a Safety Plan was submitted for the Power of Pink 5K and it looked good.

Public Works Director Freidhof reported: (a) continuing with the street light project with eight being installed today; (b) replaced the valve on the water tower today and fortunately uncovered a valve that we have been not been able to find for several years so instead of 47 residences being without water only five needed to be turned off; (c) Vernon Road Watermain Project bids will be opened on September 10, 2019; (d) the Vernon Road Reconstruction Project may begin October 14, 2019; (e) Mike Born was nominated by the Iowa DNR for Operator of the Year for Region I. One of the three nominees will be awarded in October.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the monthly police call report. School started with no incidences.

City Clerk Girolamo reported the State Library of Iowa Library Board will present a webinar to help your community thrive. The public is invited and especially community leaders. The webinar will be at the Cresco Public Library on Thursday, September 19th at 6pm.

Fortune reported Tonic Sol Fa performed at the Theater last week. Attendees included people from Des Moines, LaCrosse, Iowa City, Elkader, and Spirit Lake as well as many local supporters. They are talking about booking another show next year in Cresco. It was very successful and many commented on how much they liked the live entertainment in the Cresco Theatre. “Elvis” will be performing the same night of the Cruise to Cresco on September 21st. The acts that Wendy has booked have been good revenue sources with minimal risk since we are not paying an upfront fee but rather a percentage split of the ticket sales and the Theatre gets all of the concession sales.

Bouska reported the HCEDC met and Jason, Spiff and the cities in the county updated others on their projects. The Census is looking for people to work and the wages earned may not count against income limitations. Many cities are looking for incentives including tax abatement programs and the “Spruce up Elma” program. Chester reminded everyone their traffic cameras are operating. Lime Springs is looking at a sewer plant which will cost about $9 million which is much higher than the $6 million estimate years ago. Riceville is doing some paving projects with assessments as high as $30,000 for some residences.

Mayor Bohle opened the public hearing for a zoning change from R-4 to R-3 for the area between the Vernon Road, 4th Avenue SW, 3rd Street SW and 5th Avenue SW. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the change of zoning from R-4 Mobile Home Park District to R-3 Medium Density Residential District. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa, for the fiscal year 2018-2019 and directing the Clerk to file the report with the State of Iowa Department of Management. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Engagement Agreement with Ahlers and Cooney, PC to perform services for preparation of Purchase and Development Agreement for Housing Development RFP. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.

Freidhof explained that Jim Dietzenbach owns a pair of duplexes which had been rented but he now wants to split them up and sell them. The infrastructure already exists and no change in the structures will occur except a Homeowners Association will be formed and they will be sold rather than renting. Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution waiving the requirements of Chapter 170 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the 2nd Avenue Condominium Complex. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a 28E Agreement with Howard County for the Vernon Road Watermain Reconstruction and Drainage Project. Fortune seconded and it passed all ayes.

Ruroden presented a proposal from Lexipol to update the Police policies and procedures. The last major update to Cresco’s manual was done in 2001. The proposal was for an annual fee for them to keep it updated. Council agreed it would be a good idea to update the manual but were not comfortable with the high fee on an annual basis. We will look into the possibility of just doing a one-time update with the intent to review it every five years or so and also the possibility of available grants.

The City received a request that it install signs for the free City Parking Lots. We will look into designing custom signage and grant opportunities.

The Mayor received an email from a Professor at Luther College who is the Director of Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities. He is requesting the City of Cresco Council to either draft a letter or resolution for the Iowa Utilities Board opposing the proposed 24.45% increase in Alliant Energy residential electrical rates. The Council agreed the proposed increase will dramatically impact residents especially those on a fixed or lower income base. Council directed the City Clerk to draft a letter, with Council Member Bouska’s assistance, for them to sign at the next Council meeting and submit to the IUB.

Mayor Bohle asked for comments from the audience. Dan Weness addressed the Council regarding the decision made at the last meeting to choose the BDM proposal over the Nathan Schwickerath proposal on which Dan was the general contractor. He told Council he was not asking them to change anything but wanted to express their disappointment with the Council’s decision. He questioned whether the BDM proposal met the requirement of the RFP for the development to be completed within five years. He agreed the other proposal would generate more property revenue but their proposal would generate it faster since they would build all of the units within one year to 18 months.

Carman moved to adjourn at 7:27 pm. Brenno seconded and it passed all ayes.  The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be September 16, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Mark Bohle
City Clerk Michelle Girolamo

Documents

2019 City Council Agendas, Minutes