The monthly meeting of the Monticello City Council was called to order at 5:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, by Mayor Jason Akers. The roll was called and all council members were present except for Clarissa Pace. Stephen Coburn gave an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. The council members approved the minutes from the March meeting. With no unfinished business, Mayor Akers jumped straight into new business.
The first item on the agenda was to approve a resolution allowing the Monticello Police Department to apply for an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The amount of the grant will be $7,400 and will replace five computers in the police department and purchase one portable breathalyzer.
The next resolution passed was to authorize an additional signer for the City’s bank accounts and CDs. Mayor Akers and Vickie Norris, Director of Finance and Operations, are the only two signees at this time. If one of them is sick or out of town they are unable to provide the two signatures necessary for any documents. This resolution is adding Finance Manager Ashley Rodermund as an authorized signee.
City Code Enforcement Officer Brian Rodgers presented a resolution declaring 1355 E. Jackson St. a nuisance. Rodgers stated that his certified letter has been received, but that the property owner has yet to establish contact. The council voted to approve the resolution, giving the property owner 30 days to get the property into compliance.
The council also approved a resolution that would authorize the city to dispose of certain records such as receipts that date from 2007 through 2019.
Monticello Fire Chief Eric Chisom came before the council to request that $22,000 in CD funds be moved to another account and spent on purchasing new tools and equipment for the city’s new fire truck. The council approved his request.
Planning Commission Chairman Stephen Coburn came to give an update on what the commission is working on. Coburn discussed the possibility of setting up commercial zoning along US Highway 425 within the city limits of Monticello. He also discussed working on a plan to determine rules for the use of city streets by large trucks. Coburn also noted that the commission is looking into replacing signs around town that have fallen into disrepair. Coburn also voiced the commission’s choice to complete the sidewalk project from Jordan Park to the library first, if the council is forced to choose due to increased costs of construction materials. The council said that these were good plans and gave Coburn the go-ahead for the commission to proceed.
Mayor Akers said that the City would be dividing the city into quadrants to better facilitate the special trash pickup. He stated that this would be more efficient than doing it by wards since the redistricting has some of the wards very spread out.
Charlie Hammock stated that on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays crews will be picking up leaves, limbs, and yard debris, and special pickup will take place on Wednesdays. Hammock said that this will be the schedule until the crews can get caught up. Once they are caught up, citizens will have both their yard debris and special pickup items picked up once a month on the Wednesday which is designated for their quadrant.
Mayor Akers added that any items that are deemed too much or burdensome by himself or his representatives can be refused. Citizens are still required to call City Hall if they need special pickup. Mayor Akers also added that construction debris will not be picked up.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
