Water tower contract, bond payments approved

   Last winter, the Monticello City Council approved a loan agreement to issue over $2 million in General Obligation Purpose Bonds for three big projects within the city:

   • Repainting and maintenance to the south water tower

   • Reconstruction of N. Chestnut Street

   • Improvements to the Sixth Street Ditch

   Things are progressing with the water tower, as the council approved the contract, performance and payment of bonds during the March 4 council meeting.

   The city’s engineer, Snyder & Associates, previously recommended approval of the contractor, Tank Pro Inc.

   The cost of the water tower project is $237,380, which will include two city logos on the water tower.

   In relation to another big project for the City of Monticello, the new waste water treatment facility (sewer plant), the council approved extending the maturity date of the city’s sewer revenue loan and disbursement agreement.

   In 2020, the city secured a state revolving loan fund (SRF) for the design of the sewer plant. It was a three-year, zero interest loan. The agreement ends at the end of this month.

   “The initial draw on the interim financing for the USDA loan for the project was intended to include the payoff for this loan ($595,000),” stated City Administrator Russ Farnum in his information presented to the council. “However, once we draw on the interim financing, the city will have to start paying interest.

   “The state has been routinely extending the interest-free SRF loans for an additional three years at zero interest. This allows the city to request a three-year extension, which will not require payment until near the end of the project, and will save thousands in interest.”

In other city business:

   • The council approved setting a public hearing for March 18, at 6 p.m. for amendments to the city’s FY 2024 budget.

   • The council approved the hiring of a full-time paramedic, Shirlee Scott, at $25.40 an hour.

   Ambulance Director Lori Lynch conducted interviews to fill the opening. Scott previously worked at Paramount Ambulance in Dubuque, with several years of service in EMS. Scott will start in the first week of March.

   Farnum told the council Scott fills the last full-time paramedic opening on the service.

   • While the council chose to table adopting city staff wages for FY 2025, they did acknowledge the library’s board setting wages for library staff, giving a 5 percent pay increase.

   “The library board sets those wages; it’s not our decision,” explained Council member Dave Goedken.

   • The council approved the first reading to amend the Monticello Code of Ordinances, adding new language pertaining to street grades.

   Farnum explained that as the city makes permanent street improvements, they need to be maintaining a list of street grades.

   • During the report section of the meeting, Farnum informed the council that Dollar Fresh has been formally notified that they need to complete the sidewalk along Main Street and landscaping per their agreement with the city. He was told they would get the work scheduled in April.