The Monticello Express Online: In the News

By Kim Brooks
Express Editor

    The Monticello City Council held its regular meeting on March 1. County Attorney Phil Parsons spoke with the Council, introducing himself, and going over the numbers as they pertain to Jones County Law Enforcement. Parsons has been the County Attorney for a year, having previously been the assistant attorney.

    In 2009, there were 176 indictable offenses, meaning higher than a simple misdemeanor. Examples include OWIs, possession of a controlled substance and driving while barred. The Monticello Police Department reported 49 indictable offenses, or 27 percent of the total.

    Parsons said he knows the police departments are stretched for resources, making it hard to investigate crimes.

    “I am calling upon the people of Monticello to better enforce laws and keep the community safe,” said Parsons. “To be a community, we have to act as a community.”

    Monticello Police Chief Ryan Evans and Parsons are in constant conversation, but do not formally meet.

    Parsons said he is aware that things are being done behind closed doors, meaning people engaging in methamphetamines and marijuana usage.

    “I have a gut feeling that drug usage is on the rise,” he said. “It’s happening in neighborhoods more than we realize.”

    Parsons also addressed the issue of people being arrested, but receiving no convictions. He said most of the time, the lesser charge/charges are dismissed and the major ones are followed through. This is in the case of someone being charged with more than one offense.

    “My intent is to reach out to communities and build relations and connect with people,” said Parsons. He is in the process of visiting with City Councils and the various schools within Jones County.

    Parsons also addressed the Open Meetings violations brought up after the City Council’s special meeting on Feb. 9. He had received numerous calls in regards to those violations at his office. He said he gathered the necessary information on the issue, as well as who was involved. Due to a conflict of interest (Parsons maintains a friendly relationship with City Administrator Doug Herman and Councilman Russ Hodge), he had to turn the information over to the Attorney General.

    Parsons spoke with the Deputy Attorney General, and he was told that the Attorney General will not take a formal position on the issue. Parsons said they do not have the resources to pursue things of this nature.

    “I have done what I can do,” he said. “But this does not close the door on the matter.”

    He said the Attorney General is simply not taking a formal opinion on this one way or another.

    The Council also discussed the Police Review Board. Herman talked with the Board’s Chairman, Dan Dailey, who recommended that the Board be disbanded. The Board has no authority or power to enforce anything upon the police department. It is up to the City Council to do that. The only relevance the Board would have is to offer its opinion and input on certain matters.

    Chief Evans said the Board started when a break-in occurred at a school in town and citizens were upset with the way the police department handled the situation.

    Any serious activity is taken to a higher level. It was the Council’s consent to rescind the ordinance establishing a Police Review Board.

    The Council decided to table the issue of “Buy Local,” until a later meeting. The “Buy Local” idea could mean the city awards bids to local contractors, as well as utilize businesses for the day to day City operations. It was the Council’s consensus that the awarding of contractors is not the issue.

    Herman suggested that if there are things that can be purchased locally, without going to an outside business, to utilize the local ones. Councilman Dave Goedken suggested that the police department look into having its squad cars serviced at different auto shops from time to time.

    The Council approved to pay a 70 percent payment to Welter Enterprises related to the Welter Drive project. There are a few minor improvements left to do. Goedken said he would like to see the silo, which is in that area, torn down. He said it is an eye sore to the addition.

    “This is one of the best things that has happened to this area,” he said.

    The silo has no historical reference. The Council’s approval to pay 70 percent includes the possibility of tearing the silo down as well.

    The Police Chief’s contract suggests he take part in an evaluation twice, annually. This evaluation is to be prepared by the mayor and Council. There is also to be the creation of a set of Council goals and objectives. These items will be of discussion between the mayor, Evans and the Council.

    They approved to keep the same committee in place that was established for Herman’s evaluation, and conduct both at the same time.

    At a previous Council meeting, it was suggested that the Council look into providing the same ambulance services to ambulance volunteers as they do for employees. These volunteers do receive W-2s, so in a legal sense, they are employees.

    Tim Malchow, ambulance director, suggested that the volunteers themselves receive the same services, and not extend those services to immediate family. Those with or without insurance would be treated the same.

    Herman will draft a policy, review it with Malchow and the Council will approve a resolution at a later date.

    It was brought up that traffic, namely tractors and semi trucks, be limited to the usage of Cedar Street. With Highway 38 being a state highway, any maintenance costs would be paid for by the state. Councilman Gerald Muller said the heavy trucks should stay on Highway 38 when traveling through town. Any repairs to Cedar Street would go to the city.

    Goedken commented that Cedar Street is a heavily populated and direct farm to market road. Herman said the city might not be able to monitor weight limits so much as limiting the usage to local truck traffic only. The city engineer will do some research to see what Cedar Street’s weight limit is and get back to the Council at a later meeting.

    The city is in the position to fund another street project, Second Street. The street not only needs repair, but also could benefit from total reconstruction due to problems experienced by some homeowners with yard flooding and sewage backup.

    Herman provided the Council with four options for the project. The Council liked the idea of adding storm sewers to Second Street and street reconstruction as a standard crown. This will also include sidewalk replacement and new curbs and gutter. Without sidewalk replacement, the cost is around $680,900. Herman said the city could complete the project without having to borrow money.

    The Council also:

    • approved the dates and location for the Chamber’s “Fun on Friday Nights.” Those dates will be June 11, July 16 and August 13 at the Sycamore Street and Renaissance parking lot location.

    • approved funding for the Senior Dining Program in the amount of $3,400. This amount has gone up compared to last year due to a decrease in state funding and the increase in the cost of meals.