City prepares for busy construction season

     During the March 6 Monticello City Council meeting, Casey Zwolinski, Snyder and Associates (the city’s engineer), presented a rundown of various city projects in the works.

     Now that the weather is starting to warm up, projects will soon be underway throughout the city.

     Before the extreme winter season hit, the E. South Street reconstruction project was put on hold. Zwolinski said the only remaining work includes the installation of sidewalk and driveways.

     Following the completion of the project, the property assessments will have to be finalized.

     The Main Street/Highway 38 resurfacing project is a joint project between the city and the IDOT. An agreement was finalized in April 2016.

     Eleven temporary easements of are needed for this project to install new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Four easements remain to be signed. City Administrator Doug Herman informed the council that Casey’s General Store, the owner of the former Kum & Go property, is asking for $200 from the city for the temporary easement needed on the vacant lot. Herman said all of the other property owners have given permission, free of charge, for the temporary easements. Zwolinski anticipated that all of the easement agreements could be in place by the end of this week.

     Once easements are in place, plans for the project will be submitted to the DOT. Bid letting is expected in April, with the project to start after the fair and into the fall.

     Before the project begins, however, Herman explained that seven brick manholes along Main Street are in need to replacement. He said it makes more sense to replacement the manholes before the street project so the new pavement would not have to be torn up.

     A formal decision will be made at the next council meeting, but the rough estimate is between $90,000 and $120,000.

     The money for this project would come out of the city’s Road Use Fund.

     Final plans for the E. First Street Bridge replacement project are due March 21, just a couple of weeks away. Zwolinski said easements for this project need to be finalized by that date as well.

     One literal obstacle in the way are trees. Zwolinski estimated 30 trees need to come down or be removed before April 1 or the project could get delayed until Oct. 1. If the trees are cleared by then, construction on the bridge could potentially take place after the fair. Construction is expected to be complete by 2018.

     Concerning the painting of the north water tower, Zwolinski said they are waiting on an agreement to be signed by the contractor. A preconstruction meeting will be held after that has been received.

     The project is planned for completion Oct. 16.

     The city has not forgotten about the Sixth Street ditch project. Zwolinski said they are working on developing the design for the ditch wall. Draft plans for the project and easement information is expected by March 17. At that time, the city will also review funding.

In other city business:

     • Per a letter from E911 Coordinator Gary Schwab, the city approved Schwab’s recommendation to re-address all property along Business Highway 151 South/S. Main Street to just S. Main Street. This is to establish some consistency with city and county property, annexed property into the city, and any future annexation, not to mention consistency for emergency calls.

     Along with the street name change, Schwab also suggested uniformity with the address numbering system along that stretch of the road as well.

     Herman said the address changes would not be implemented overnight. The change has to go be approved by the E911 Board and county supervisors as well.

     • The council approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 city budget.

     Prior to tonight’s meeting, the council reviewed the budget during a regular council meeting, as well as during a work session.

     The budget results in a tax rate of $13.86897. This rate is made up of $8.10 General Fund levy, an Employee Benefits levy of $3.26161, and a Debt Service levy of $2.50736.

     The city’s tax rate has remained the same since FY 2015. It has been as high as $14.20090 in FY 2008.

     Herman told the council that the county assessor informed the city that Monticello would see an overall appraisal in the near future that would likely result in increased values across the board for FY 2019. Herman said for that reason, and the council’s desire to use tax revenue for community infrastructure projects, it was decided to maintain a consistent tax rate for FY 2018. Consideration for a reduction in the rate will be looked at when the council starts preparing FY 2019.

     • Herman informed the council of two bills from the Parks and Rec Board, totaling over $370, for items for the former Parks Director Tami Bartram’s going-away party.

     “The Park Board does not have spending authority,” he said.

     The council will have a chance to approve or disapprove the bills at the next council meeting.

     “This is not something the city has paid for in the past,” Herman explained. “There is nothing in the code that authorizes the Park Board to spend funds outside of its budget.” He said nothing was discussed at the Park Board meeting he was present at.

     Park Board President Kim McQuillen said members of the board talked about throwing Bartram a party following the meeting.

     “We thought it would be appropriate to send Tami off with something like this because of her service to Monticello,” said McQuillen.

     • The council did not object to a fundraiser for youth at Sacred Heart Church. The project would include members of the youth group offering to paint individual house numbers on city curb, using a white background with black numbers on the curb itself. Herman said there is nothing in the City Code that would prohibit such a project. He was unsure of the cost associated with the project.

     • The council approved use of the city park/fairgrounds and a $200 donation to the Free Masons Anamosa Lodge #46 for their child safety program.

     The event will be held on Sunday, may 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free to the public to attend. The Masons are also looking to have an Air Care helicopter land on the grounds for tours as well.

     • The council approved a request from Monticello eighth-grader Reese Cox to use the Community Building free of charge on Saturday, march 25 from 4:30-11 p.m. for a fundraiser dance. The proceeds would go to classmate Karly Dirks as she battles brain cancer.

     • The council approved Fire Protection Agreements between the city and several Jones County townships, as well as Delaware County: Lovell, $22,403; Castle Grove, $13,165; Wayne, $13,291; Cass, $1,456; Richland, $4,197; Scotch Grove, $6,116; Delaware County, $1,528. These are all areas that the Monticello Fire Department serves.

     City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen said the funding rates are determined by population, valuations, and number of service calls.