August 9, 2010

The regular meeting of the Monroe City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on August 9, 2010 by Mayor Duinink.  Roll call was taken: present Briles, Pendroy, Vriezelaar, Breckenridge.  Van Veen was absent at roll call. Mayor Duinink announced that the meeting was being recorded.  City Administrator Sandy Breckenridge and Officer Shane Foster were in attendance.  Public Works Director Terry Buckingham and Public Works worker Marc Van Wyk joined at 9:15 p.m.

Visitors at the meeting were: Travis Squires of Piper Jaffray, Mitchell Chipps, Tracy Gathman, Glenn Duinink, John McConeghey, Leroy Kinart, Slade Spears, Rick Boner, Dave Edwards, Jake Potter, Courtney Charls, Craig Hamilton of JEDCO.

Vriezelaar moved and Briles seconded to approve the consent agenda including the Clerk and Treasurers report, bills, and minutes from the July meeting.  Motion carried unanimously. Van Veen joined the Council meeting at 7:09 p.m.

July 10, 2010 Bills

Committee & Board Reports – Two Rivers representative Tracy Gathman presented $3900 checks on behalf of Land O Lakes and Two Rivers for Fire Department to purchase a Liberty Rescue Tube. Mayor Duinink thanked Tracy and wanted to be sure to inform surrounding communities of the availability of this equipment.  Tracy indicated Pella will be receiving funds also.

Monroe Recreation Park Update – Pendroy provided update. Light poles have been installed and batting cages finished. Benches are being ordered. Lining up prisoners for help with weed pulling and assembling the benches.  Four grants are being applied.

Monroe Water Main Project Update – Fox provided email update status report.  Briles motioned and Pendroy seconded to approve change order request from Pirc Tobin Construction. Motion passed unanimously.  Briles motioned and Vriezelaar seconded to approve pay application #2 for $101,232 from Pirc Tobin Construction.  Upon roll call, ayes - Briles, Vriezelaar, Van Veen, Pendroy, Breckenridge.  Motion carried unanimously.

Casey’s alcohol permit renewal – Briles motioned to pass Casey’s alcohol permit renewal. Van Veen seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

Consider mosquito spraying for September – Briles motioned to pass spraying for mosquitoes in September at $500. Motion was seconded by Pendroy. Motion carried unanimously.

7:15 P.M. Public Hearing for amending of Urban Renewal Area – Mayor Duinink opened the hearing for amending of the Urban Renewal Area at 7:15 p.m.  City Administrator Sandy Breckenridge stated that there were no written or oral objections.  Briles motioned and Van Veen seconded to approve RESOLUTION NO. 20-2010 to declare necessity and establish an Urban Renewal Area, pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and approve Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the 2010 addition to the Monroe Renewal Area.  The mayor announced that the public hearing was officially closed. Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 

Vriezelaar motioned and Breckenridge seconded to give initial consideration and to approve Ordinance 242 designating amended area as tax increment area pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa.  Upon roll call, ayes - Vriezelaar, Breckenridge, Briles, Pendroy, Van Veen. Nays – none. Motion passed.  Vriezelaar motioned and Pendroy seconded to suspend the statutory rule requiring an ordinance to be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed.  Upon roll call, ayes – Vriezelaar, Pendroy, Breckenridge, Briles, Van Veen. Nays – none.  Motion passed.  Pendroy motioned and Vriezelaar seconded to give final consideration and approve Ordinance 242 providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the 2010 addition to the Monroe urban Renewal Area of the City of Monroe, Iowa pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa.  Upon roll call vote, ayes – Pendroy, Vriezelaar, Breckenridge, Briles, Van Veen. Nays – none. Motion passed. CITY OF MONROE, IOWA - SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 242. On August 9, 2010, the City Council of the City of Monroe, Iowa adopted Ordinance No. 242, entitled “An Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2010 Addition to the Monroe Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa.”  In compliance with Section 380.7 of the Code of Iowa, the City has prepared this Summary of Ordinance No. 242 for publication, in lieu of publishing the entire text of the Ordinance. 1.  The descriptions in this paragraph and in paragraph #2 constitute a summary of the essential elements of the Ordinance.  The Ordinance expands the boundaries of the tax increment district in the City by adding property located within an area bounded on the west by Main Street, on the north by Colfax Street, on the east by the city limits and on the south by Marion Street. 2. Under the Ordinance and Chapter 403 of the Code of Iowa, the City will be authorized to use incremental property tax revenues produced from these parcels of property to finance projects in the Monroe Urban Renewal Area, including making improvements to the municipal waterworks system.  Incremental property taxes may be collected from these parcels of property under the Ordinance for no more than twenty years.  The Ordinance does not impose any new taxes and does not increase any taxes currently being levied against any property in the City. 3.  The full text of the Ordinance may be inspected at the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 206 West Sherman Street, Monroe, Iowa, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 4.  The Ordinance will become effective upon the publication of this Summary.

Consider increase in pay for reserve police officers – Discussion regarding pay from other communities from information prepared and provided to the Council from Sgt Pettyjohn. Officer Foster was present to discuss and provided additional background regarding part time officers.  Council agreed part time officer wages have not been increased in a long time. Vriezelaar motioned to increase pay for part-time Patrol Officers to $14 per hour. Briles seconded and upon roll call vote, ayes Vriezelaar, Briles, Breckenridge, Pendroy, Van Veen. Nays-none, motion passed.

7:30 P.M. Public Hearing for refund of General Obligation Bonds – Mayor Duinink opened the hearing for refund of GO Bonds at 7:30 p.m.  City Administrator Sandy Breckenridge stated that there were no written or oral objections.  Briles motioned and Vriezelar seconded to approve RESOLUTION NO. 21-2010. A resolution authorizing and approving loan agreement and providing for the sale and issuance of General Obligation Water Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2010 providing for levy of taxes to pay the same and providing for prepayment of City’s outstanding GO notes.  The mayor announced that the public hearing was officially closed. Upon roll call vote ayes-Briles, Vriezelaar, Pendroy, Breckenridge. Van Veen abstained. Nays-none.  Motion passed.

Craig Hamilton, Director of Jasper County Economic Development, presented his Annual Report.  He provided update regarding TPI in Newton; employment expected to grow.  Trinity Towers also growing steadily.  Iowa Telecom, local provider in Monroe, sold to Windstream of Little Rock, Arkansas, caused layoffs.  JEDCO joined Greater DM Partnership.  This may help with the Iowa Telecom layoffs.  JEDCO continues to sponsor Entrepreneurial Program for start-up companies.  JEDCO has partnered with Prairie City in land purchase; JEDCO would support Monroe in the same manner.  Craig fielded several questions regarding various Jasper County economic development opportunities including Sully’s revolving loan fund.

Vriezelaar motioned and Pendroy seconded to approve RESOLUTION NO.  22-2010 for employee wages for 2010/2011 as presented.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.

Pendroy motioned and Breckenridge seconded to approve RESOLUTION NO. 23-2010 authorizing transfer of funds from IPAIT to Monroe State Bank.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 

Briles motioned and Van Veen seconded RESOLUTION NO. 24-2010 for Prairie Meadows Grant for Monroe Recreation Park.   Pendroy reported the funds will likely go to finish dug-outs and player benches.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.
Briles motioned and Vriezelaar seconded to adopt Ordinance 239 - Water Hydrant Ordinance as amended.  Upon roll call vote ayes – Briles, Vriezelaar, Breckenridge, Pendroy, Van Veen.  Pendroy motioned and Vriezelaar seconded to waive final reading.  Council had first reading in July.  Upon roll call vote, Council approved waiving the requirement in state law that an ordinance be considered at two meetings prior to the meeting at which it is finally adopted.  Motion carried unanimously. CITY OF MONROE - ORDINANCE NO. 239. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA, 1987, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE OPERATION OF CURB VALVE AND HYDRANTS. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONROE, IOWA: CHAPER 90   Section 90.19 - Operation of curb valve and hydrants. It is unlawful for any person except the Superintendent to turn water on at the curb valve, and no person, unless specifically authorized by the Superintendent, shall open or attempt to draw water from any fire hydrant for any purpose whatsoever.  Penalty will be no more than the State of Iowa limit for municipal infraction as indicated in Code of Iowa Section 364.22[1], and City of Monroe Code of Ordinances 4.03. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.  If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional. WHEN EFFECTIVE.  This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL this 9th day of August, 2010. Signed: Douglas P. Duinink, Mayor and attested by: Kim K. Thomas, City Clerk.

Pendroy motioned and Vriezelaar seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 240 for water rate increases.  Discussion surrounded the past rate increases as well as the reason water rates need to increase: water treatment plant versus rural water.  Discussion also included monthly versus quarterly billing, as well as delinquencies.  Need additional background on bulk sales; Council would like to increase.  Future rate changes would include higher bulk rates.  Council currently will table this to future rate increases.  Upon roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.  Water rates will increase from $16.50 to $19.72 minimum of 2,000 gallons, then from $4.75 to $5.68 for the next 8,000 gallons and $3.60 to $4.30 per 1,000 gallons thereafter.  Rural rates will increase from $20.00 to $23.90 minimum of $2,000 gallons, then from $6.00 to $7.17 for the next 8,000 gallons and $5.50 to $6.57 per 1,000 gallons thereafter. 

Briles motioned and Vriezelaar seconded first reading of Ordinance 241 for sewer rate from 98% of water rates to 85% of water rates.  Briles updated group in past sewer rate history and how it is tied to water rates.  Residents also shared their concerns over sewer back up in their basements due to recent heavy rains. Public Works Director joined at 9:15 p.m. and explained sump pumps going into sewers, house in low areas without sump pumps, floor drains hooked to sewer lines, and tiling ran to sewer are all causing problems.  Tiling should flow around house, into the sump, and pumped out of house.  Lining sewer in south end of Commerce has helped alleviate some problems.  Upon roll call vote ayes, motion carried unanimously.

Van Veen moved and was seconded by Breckenridge to adjourn at 9:40 P.M.  A full copy of minutes may be seen at City Hall or www.monroeiowa50170.com.