N. Chestnut St. property sold, new ambulance director hired

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     It’s official.

     The City of Monticello approved the sale of property and the Property Sale Agreement related to 224 N. Chestnut St. to Norm Zimmerman.

     The city council held a public hearing during their Nov. 6 meeting. No comments were received before or at the meeting.

     Zimmerman offered a purchase price of $20,000. The cost includes a $5,000 down payment, and a $5,000 closing fee, due at the time of the Oct. 1, 2018 closing. City Administrator Doug Herman said the closing date is to ensure Zimmerman follows through with the proposed building project.

     Language was also included in the agreement that Zimmerman must build a structure that is similar to what was initially proposed.

     “We appreciate your proposal,” voiced Council member Dave Goedken. “It’ll be nice to get a home back in there.”

     Also during the council meeting, Herman informed the council that CJ Johnson has resigned as ambulance director, effective Oct. 30. Johnson has also resigned from the ambulance service. Dawn Brus, who was the interim ambulance director prior to Johnson’s hiring, has been hired to fill the director role on a part-time basis. Brus was already part-time before the recent change in staff. Herman said working with Police Chief Britt Smith, Brus and the ambulance staff, he believes some changes could be made to make the ambulance department more effective.

     “We want to try and keep the department strong, save some money, and provide a service that covers the community,” said Herman. He said that might entail using more EMTs on staff versus over-staffing paramedics.

     Herman said the ambulance department budget is constantly being amended due the unpredictable call volume and unpredictable revenues.

     “The Medicare and Medicaid calls result in a reimbursement that’s a lot less,” Herman pointed out, as one example of irregular revenue coming in.

In other city business:

     • The council approved the purchase of a new van for the City Water Department, giving Public Works Director Brant LaGrange discretion to iron out the details in regards to what features are needed. Four different vehicles with three different styles were looked at, with costs ranging from $37,000 to $40,000. The goal is to try and purchase a van locally.

     The old van will transfer over to the Parks and Rec Department.

     • The council approved the purchase of a 2017 Ford Utility Interceptor for the Monticello Police Department for a $2,000 out-of-pocket expense to replace a 2016 Charger that was totaled on Oct. 24.

     Chief Smith said his department is currently down two squad vehicles: a 2011 Silverado and a 2015 Explorer. The 2010 Crown Victoria, which was planned for replacement in about six months from now, is also out of commission due to a chase/pit maneuver with a stolen pickup.

     Smith said insurance would offer $51,000 for replacement, which includes all of the internal equipment. With a $53,000 estimate on a new vehicle, all that remains is roughly $2,000.

     • Three public hearings were set for Monday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. concerning three different items: On the transfer of city airport easement to Gary and Angela Larson and their property’s successor to maintain a portion of their sanitary sewer system, which lies on airport ground; on a proposed amendment to the city’s Development Agreement with Boulders Inn Monticello, LLC to provide bi-annual hotel/motel tax grant payments versus annually; and on the approval of the lease agreement between the city and US Cellular in relation to the placement of small cell sites around the fairgrounds.

     • The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to introduce new stop and yield signs within the city.

     New stop signs will be placed at the intersections of: E. Washington Street and Grandview Drive; W. Fifth Street and N. Gill Street; and S. Maple Street and S. Cedar Street.

     New yield signs will be placed at the intersections of: N. Sycamore Street and E. Seventh Street; Ridgeview Drive and Pinehaven Drive; and W. Second Street and N. Chestnut Street.

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