Dispatch funding tabled, Coalition funding approved

     Two FY 2019 funding requests were the topic of discussion during the Jan. 15 Monticello City Council meeting.

     The council tabled a request from the Jones County Sheriff’s Office for $21,198 for communication services/dispatch. This is a 5 percent increase from FY 2018. Typically, the city has seen a 3 percent increase from year to year.

     Police Chief Britt Smith said he reached out to Sheriff Greg Graver regarding a cost breakdown but was unable to speak to him. To the best of his knowledge, Smith said the funds are used for staff wages and an increase in operating expenses with new technology.

     “I’m not sure if it’s a per capita figure or call volume-related,” Smith said of the amount requested.

     Council member Tom Yeoman asked if dispatch was a separate line item in the county or Sheriff’s Department budget. Smith could obviously not speak to that. But if he were to guess, the budget would be between $300,000 to $400,000 for personnel, equipment and general operating expenses.

     “We’ve gone back and forth on this between the city and the county,” Smith said of the annual investment. “But it’s still a substantial service.” He said Monticello is on the low end compared with cities across the state funding their dispatch centers.

     The council unanimously approved a $2,000 investment in the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition.

     After tabling the approval during the council’s Dec. 18 meeting, Coalition Project Coordinator Jennifer Husmann was present Jan. 15 to update the council and provide information as to why the Coalition is seeking local government funding.

     The Coalition’s primary source of funding, a federal grant, expires in September of this year. That’s why the Coalition is asking the county and every city in the county to consider funding assistance.

     “We’ve seen tremendous success with everything we’ve done,” praised Husmann, “even in the marijuana culture we’re currently in.”

     Among youth binge drinking in Jones County, she said the percentage of 11^th graders who binge drink has decreased from 52 to 15 percent since the Coalition started the campaign 13 years ago. (These figures stem from the Iowa Youth Survey.)

     Aside from asking local governments for funding, Husmann said the Coalition is also applying for more grants through the state and hosting more fundraising events.

     Last year, they started an endowment fund, of which the Coalition can also pull operating money from.

     “We’ve been focused on trying to solve the problems versus asking for money,” Husmann said of the Coalition’s purpose.

In other city business

     • The council approved the liquor license for Whiskey River.

     Council member Rob Paulson requested that approval be considered separate from the consent agenda.

     Paulson asked Smith if they were having repeat issues with the establishment not allowing law enforcement to enter. Smith said he saw nothing that disqualified Whiskey River from possessing a liquor license at this point.

     Smith did speak about a recent disturbance involving a patron and an employee of the bar, but police intervened and the patron was removed from the premises.

     • The council approved a design and purchase of a recognition sign for donors associated with the Baty Disc Golf Course, honoring John and Jane Baty, Bill and Cammie Greif, and Lloyd and Joyce Welter.

     The estimated cost is $4,500, with the Public Works Department taking care of pouring the concrete base.

     • The council approved investment in the Jones County Extension Summer Discovery Camp for $500.

     • The council designated the Monticello Express as the official publication for the City of Monticello.

     • The council approved the FY 2019 investment in Jones County Tourism for $1,139. This has been the consistent rate since FY 2013.

     • The council approved payment of the second-year local match of $1,500 toward the Keep Iowa Beautiful Hometown Pride initiative. This is a five-year commitment from the City of Monticello.

     • The council approved an investment of $2,600 toward fireworks for the Fourth of July in 2018.

     • Police Chief Britt Smith brought the council up to speed on a homeless camp located north of the city limits along Business Highway 151 just beyond the Blue Inn. The site of campers sits on private property, located within the county.

     Smith said he’s been working with Michele Lubben, Jones County Land Use; Paula Hart, Environmental Health; and Derek Snead, County Engineer, regarding the array of issues, including violation of zoning ordinance, nuisance violation, and waste dumped in the county right of way.

     “They had no permit to allow for multiple campers,” Smith said.

     While some of the campers have been removed, the remains of another camper are still on site.

     • The city is facing potential legal action, stemming from a claim from former Parks and Rec Director Tami Bartram regarding unemployment. Bartram’s attorney is alleging wrongful acts on the part of the City of Monticello. Because of the threat of civil action, the claim has been turned over to the city’s insurance carrier, and the city assigned an attorney.

     The unemployment claim remains pending before District Court.