The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.

To begin the meeting, new Councilman John Andorf was sworn, along with councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley and Mayor Jay Pattee who both won reelection in November.

City Administrator Butch Niebuhr then shared brief notes about the weather’s impact on the City.  He mentioned the water main break near the Post Office and said the street department crews went with the garbage and recycling workers Monday to help with extra man power so employees had a chance to keep warm in vehicles between stops.  He said no injuries were reported due to the cold as of the time of the meeting.

Mayor Jay Pattee then shared his year in review report, recapping 2013, much like he did in our three part Let’s Talk Dallas County series.

Finance officer Susie Moorhead then shared a brief update on the budget process.  Department heads have received their budget worksheets and a work session with the council will be set up later this  month.  The budget needs to be certified and sent to the state by March 15th.

Councilman McCaulley then thanked Don Strauss for his work on the community Christmas tree, as he’s done for many years.  Local civic organizations have donated funds to purchase new and additional lights so next year’s tree should be as bright and vibrant as ever.

Councilman Phil Stone then welcomed Andorf to the council and mentioned how impressed he was that he had attended meetings and participated in some committee report before his official duties began.  Stone then mentioned the fact that Emerald Ash Borers have been found closer to Perry than ever before with a recent discovery in Creston.  With the number of Ash trees in Perry, Stone suggested that a note is made so that they can be as proactive as possible moving forward.  Niebuhr said the Tree Board is looking into options and this will likely be something that comes up during the budget process.

Councilman Andorf then said he’s excited to be part of the council and thanked the rest of the council for their support thus far, mentioning that he’s looking forward to serving the citizens of Perry.

Council member Stone was then appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem through December of 2016.  Building Official Steve Tibbles will represent the City on the CIRHA Housing Committee.  Carolyn McNiell was appointed as a representative to the Perry Day Care Inc. Board and the Dallas County Early Childhood Education Board and Mike Ware will continue to serve as the part-time compliance officer for the city through June 30th of this year.

Josh Wuebker was then appointed as the city’s representative on the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance, with Niebuhr and Matt Ferrier serving as alternates for the 2014 year.

A job posting for the newly formed Administrative Assistant position was then approved.  It will be posted for 10 days and addressed again at the next council meeting.

A change order to the 18th Street sanitary sewer project was then approved, decreasing the total cost by almost $9,000.  A pay request and certificate of completion was also approved for the project.

The third pay request for the McCreary Center parking lot rehabilitation project was then approved, along with the fourth pay request for the 28th Street construction project.

Next a public hearing for plans, specifications, notice to bidders for the Iowa Energy Bank  phase one lighting improvements.  It will take place on February 3rd during the regular council meeting.

A resolution providing matching funds for the 2014 down payment program was then approved.  This provides first time homebuyers with down payment assistance to purchase existing affordable home and rehabilitation to make that home safe.  The city has committed to up to five projects in the amount of $2,500 each.

The Council then approved participation in Bike Month 2014.  The City will contribute $500 to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to sponsor the promotion of using bicycles as transportation during the month of May.

An amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was then approved, showing support of the city of Polk City joining the organization.

Next a federal aid agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the purpose of financing transportation improvement projects on streets and highways in Iowa with federal funds.  The City hopes to use funds from the Surface Transportation Program to reconstruct 18th Street from McKinley Street to 130th Street.

Finally, the Council voted to keep the same meeting date and time of 6pm the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in the Clarion Room of the Security Bank Building, with the exception of two Tuesday meetings in observance of Presidents Day in February and Labor Day in September.

For more on the meeting and things happening in the City of Perry, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County program when we speak with City Administrator Butch Niebuhr during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS. Per