Loan agreement approved for N. Sycamore project

     While the Monticello City Council has decided to move forward with the N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project, one item remained during the Feb. 18 council meeting.

     A public hearing was held on the proposal for the council to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement to borrow money for the street reconstruction project, in a principal amount not to exceed $2.7 million. City Administrator Doug Herman said the city engineer expects the project to come in under $2.5 million.

     The project is substantially expected to be completed during the 2019 construction season.

     No public comment was received, and the council approved the resolution. The vote passed 4-1, with Council member Brenda Hanken opposed. (Council member Johnny Russ was absent.) The approval also allows the city to levy for taxes in the amount of $293,432.

     While project bids have yet to come on, Herman offered, “If the bids are higher, you don’t have to borrow the money and you don’t have to do the project.”

     N. Sycamore Street resident Stu Gerdes, however, addressed the council during the Open Forum on the street project, questioning when the decision was made to eliminate 60-plus trees along N. Sycamore.

     “While I don’t mind the project, I have a problem with cutting the trees down,” said Gerdes.

     Council members Dave Goedken and Tom Yeoman explained that with a total street reconstruction project like this, the scope of the project would obstruct the life of the trees.

     “I share your concern,” said Yeoman. “But with curb and gutter and putting in new water and sewer, you damage the trees and the roots.”

     Goedken said the council sought the expertise of their engineer regarding whether to keep the trees or not.

     “There just should have been more discussion about it,” continued Gerdes.

     With N. Sycamore being an older part of town, Gerdes sad it would be “nice to leave something for the next generation.

     “I don’t think you realize the importance cutting down trees has on the environment,” added Gerdes. “It’s sad.”

     Herman said the Tree Board has been actively discussing options for homeowners to replant trees on their property once the project is complete. “There is money in the Tree Board budget,” he said.

     Goedken said knowing there has been this much conflict toward taking the trees down, the council should consider whether or not to follow through with future street projects if this is the outcome.

     “If there’s this much resistance, we just won’t do any projects,” he said.

In other city business:

     • The council approved a $1 per capita funding request ($3,796) for the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA).

     The WMA does not have a direct revenue stream of funding, and in order to retain their administrator provided by Limestone Bluffs RC&D (Lori Scovel), WMA members such as the City of Monticello are being asked to consider funding the Authority.

     Herman said the WMA is working on a watershed plan for its members. This plan would help open the door to grants and funding for various projects in the future.

     “It’s a regional effort,” Herman said.

     Steve Hanken of Monticello questioned why the city would help fund the WMA when Jones County chose to pull their funding from RC&D. He said with their funding on the decline, “I question their capabilities in doing anything.” Hanken said to his knowledge, RC&D no longer has a regional office.

     “I don’t know that this funding makes a lot of sense,” he added. “I’m concerned as to where the money is actually going.”

     Mayor Brian Wolken explained the funding is going to the WMA to help pay the administrator, not directly to RC&D.

     The City of Monticello entered into a five-year 28E agreement with the WMA. They are currently in year-three, but have not provided any funding until now.

     • The council approved the third year (of five years) of funding in the amount of $1,500 for Keep Iowa Beautiful/Hometown Pride.

     KIB grew out of the Parks to People program, and has since provided funding for several local projects: pocket park, Mon Maq Dam, Maquoketa River Water Trail, Willow Park Trail, and the fountain project.