City discusses future of digital sign

The future of the Monticello sign located on Highway 151 outside of town is up in the air. 

“We’re looking at various options,” said City Administrator Doug Herman at the Dec. 16 Monticello City Council meeting. “The message board is inoperable.” 

The digital portion of the sign quit working over a year ago. 

The Monticello Police Department (Chief Britt Smith) sought a quote from Nesper Sign Advertising, Inc. in Cedar Rapids. They provided four different options for the sign, ranging in price from just under $2,000 to almost $7,000. If the city chose to leave the portion of the sign that says “Monticello” and just eliminate the digital message board, it could cost almost $4,000. It would be an additional $2,000 to repaint the black poles as well. 

Getting rid of the sign completely would be $6,800. 

Council member Dave Goedken asked if the city chose to leave the digital message board in place, would the city be able to use it for advertising of events. 

“Nothing has changed with the rules,” Herman said of the state regulations. 

“Then it definitely doesn’t warrant the expense,” said Goedken of paying to repair the message board. 

If the city chose to eliminate the sign completely, it would save $500 a year to rent the land the sign sits on off the highway. 

In other city business: 

• Public Works Director Nick Kahler reported that the street signs are all up on N. Sycamore Street. The painting of parking lines will be done in the spring. 

• Herman shared the MYBSA profit/loss statement with the council, covering Jan. 1 through Nov. 11, 2019. Their net income was $1,096.18. 

Looking into 2020, Brian Gogel with MYBSA said there would be a reduction in concession stand revenue because the Monticello Booster Club is taking it over for high school games. 

MYBSA will also have about $20,000 in expenses for the new ball diamond at Shannon School. This is tied to the relocation of a ball diamond associated with the new middle school project. 

• Herman shared a letter with the council from State Farm Insurance regarding the house fire at 602 N. Cedar St. in mid-November. Herman requested that State Farm withhold the demolition reserve from the insurer, Olivia Sunlin. This is to ensure that the city has the funds to apply toward demolition if the owner walks away from the property. Herman said this should be common practice in all fires. 

“The city could collect the reserve funds and do the demolition ourselves,” said Herman. “It gives us some security.” 

Council member Rob Paulson said one of the neighboring properties is interested in purchasing the land. 

• The council approved the closing statement between the city and Tom and Alice Brighton, authorizing the transfer of two parcels located northwest of the intersection of Third Street and Diamond Drive. The city agreed to sell the land for $18,777.44. 

• The council approved a change order in the amount of $2,007 related to the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Monticello Fire Department. 

After a group of firefighters inspected the progress of the new truck, they found 23 changes needed, some resulting in additional costs, some resulting in a cost reduction. 

• The council set a public hearing for Monday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. to review and approve Fiscal Year 2020 budget amendments.