City of Monticello
Planning Commission
Meeting of Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Minutes
The regular monthly meeting of the Monticello Planning Commission was called to order by Commission Chair Dan Boice at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Missionary Lou Lambert opened the meeting with a prayer.
Members present were Dan Boice, Kathy Campbell, Bubba Groves, Jay Jones, Lou Lambert, and Ray Ryburn. Nick Akers and Esbeida Higginbotham were absent. Boice declared a quorum.
Also in attendance was Fire Marshal Dale Jones.
April Minutes: Ray MOVED to approve the April minutes as distributed, which motion was seconded and CARRIED.
Public Forum: There were no comments. Dan reminded the commissioners that while we welcome comments and questions, and while we try to be responsive, the Commission is not obligated to respond to them at the meeting where they come up.
CURRENT BUSINESS:
Report of the Fire Marshal: Fire Marshal Jones reported approval of thirty-five building permits, as well as permits for utilities. He reported that almost all the work on building an addition to the Fire Station is being done by members of the Fire Department.
The Word Church on South Maple was told by Entergy that an electrical permit was required for running wiring to an addition. In 2019, someone in the City office had informed the Church that a permit was not necessary. Ray MOVED “That The Word Church be granted a permit,” which motion was seconded and CARRIED. Marshal Jones will convey this to the Church. He also noted that the office has for several years been keeping a careful record of all calls regarding permits, so this kind of problem should not happen again.
OLD BUSINESS:
Strategic Doing Workshop: The Commission received reports of the three projects:
a. Youth Shooting Sports event: Bubba reported that the group is coordinating with Quails Unlimited, and is laying out detailed plans for an event by Lake Monticello, probably in September or October. The group is developing a schedule and lining up equipment, including archery supplies, and has made its presentation to City Council.
b. Promotion of local events and festivals: compiling a listing of events for publicizing.
c. Development of a guide to Drew County mental health resources: still compiling the guide.
Armory Update: Jay reported that Jim von Tungeln is developing a Request for Proposals, and has been working with Mayor Chase on a number of questions, including setting up a property line that would separate the animal shelter and allow it to continue, and determining legal ownership of the property.
NEW BUSINESS:
Plan for the City of Monticello: The Committee discussed the preparation of a long-range plan for presenting to City Council. We noted that during the Public Forums and in other arenas, there had been strong support for updating the city’s infrastructure. There was also a sense that this would have to precede any other facets of a plan, including financial health and public welfare. As one resident had put it at a Public Forum, “If we don’t fix the infrastructure, nothing else will matter.”
Since that the City Council has already given approval to McClelland Engineers to make a study and a detailed proposal for a fifteen-year plan to update the water system and drainage, the Commission agreed that this could be the core of our own Plan. If we can replace our century-old water and sewer system and restore the safety and reputation of Monticello water, we will be able to move forward on other improvements for the city. Attracting new businesses and new residents will require reliable water and utilities.
Dan will try to get someone from McClelland to meet with the Planning Commission at our June 14th meeting so that we can understand their plan, and so that we can effectively advocate for it.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
