Monticello City Council to seek opportunities for state grants, approves golf course lease

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council discussed grant opportunities, approved golf course equipment lease, and heard a report on a problem intersection at their latest meeting.
The Monticello City Council heard a proposal to address pedestrian safety at an oft used intersection in town at the November 28 meeting of the council.
Lions Club representative Tom Wiggington shared a harrowing story of a group of kids trying to cross Monticello’s Main Street at 200 South near the post office. 
Wiggington shared that a few months ago a group of kids were attempting to cross near the post office.
“The one car stopped and they went right in front of that car. I think these kids cross the highway a lot so they were smart enough to know not to keep going. The truck next to that lane just sailed right on through. Had those four kids continued on real quick we wouldn’t have four today.”
Wiggington explained that having a crosswalk at the intersection is not possible right now, as installation of crosswalks on the state highway are decided by the state.
An alternative safety program the Lions Club has proposed would be aimed at making pedestrians more visible in the area.
The proposal would place two sets of bright orange flags on either side of the street for Pedestrians to carry while crossing the street. The mounts would need to be placed on breakaway poles near the intersection. The project would require two flag sets at $200 each, with the Lions Club sharing a financial commitment to the project as well as volunteer labor for the project.
Members of the city council expressed support for the proposal with the added suggestion that the city build an awareness campaign at the elementary school for safe crossing once the flags are installed.
Members of the council also held a public hearing required to be considered for a Community Development Block Grant. City staff, council, and citizens offered various ideas for the grant.
Assistant City Manager Megan Gallegos brought up that the city has heard multiple requests for an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible park; city manager Kaeden Kulow shared he has heard several requests for a recreation center.
City council member Ron Skinner mentioned needs of infrastructure in the city including replacing water and sewer lines.
Noting that he’d rather have improved water and sewer infrastructure, council member Nathan Chamberlain mentioned an updated irrigation system at the golf course would be nice.
City resident Katie Andrews noted the need for additional housing in the city, including multi-family and low income adding the city has great opportunities available if there was more housing. Council member Kevin Dunn also shared a need for shelter for transient people in the community.
The state CDBG program stated purpose is “to assist in developing viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes.”
At the meeting council also discussed snow removal. Kulow reported that the county had let the city know in recent meetings that the city is responsible for moving snow from corner intersections.
As part of the report the city also shared that cars or other vehicles or objects left on the roadway results in major sections of roadways unplowed. Council discussed options to encourage residents to remove vehicles from the roadways including placing notifications on windows and setting a fee for those in violation of code. City staff noted that current code does allow the city to tow vehicles left on streets when snow falls. 
The City Council approved a lease for three pieces of maintenance equipment for the Hideout Golf course.
At the conclusion of the lease, the city will be able to purchase the mowers for $1. The decision concluded several weeks of conversations about the lease with the council choosing the recommendation of Hideout Pro Jeff Simon. Members of the council also received a report on the spectacular annual water year.