The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.

During the meeting City Administrator Butch Niebuhr mentioned the police department’s phone service switch over on Wednesday.  He then mentioned plans to attend Tuesday’s Dallas County Supervisor’s meeting to hear what they have to say about the unincorporated area zoning map.  Finally, Butch mentioned that MidAmerican Energy had finished their portion of the 18th Street project.  Public Works Director Jack Butler says construction on the road is expected to begin next week and will likely not be finished before school resumes next month.

During open forum two K Avenue residents spoke about their concerns with the City Council overtheir wind farm decision this spring.  They said the Council improperly made the decision to allow a wind farm within City limits, there is a potential reduction in property tax values for areas close to the turbines and misstated tax revenues the City will receive as a result of the project.  Stray voltage hurting livestock, shadow flicker standard violations were also mentioned and several times they mentioned that the Zoning Board of Adjustment is a bias group of unelected officials and the City Council did not have enough say in the decision.

A public hearing was then held in regards to the disposal of public property at the old middle school site to Newbury Living for their proposed multi-family housing project.  Councilmember Dr. Randy McCaulley shared concerns expressed to him from a citizen who worried that the project was not for low income housing as initially advertised.  Frank Levy with Newbury Living was there to explain the income limits and comparisons to different housing options, showing the Council that they are applying for Community Development Block Grant monies through the Iowa Economic Development Authority.  Dr. McCaulley also inquired about the housing occupant limit, which was explained as a maximum of two people per bedroom or six people total in a three bedroom town home.  Levy then shared some information about Newbury’s partnership with the Nudgers on this project.  He says them working together will likely help them get more points when it comes to funding applications and also help sell the idea to the community.  Newbury Living plans to send the Council rendering of the proposed project before the next meeting on August 4th.  Action on the disposal of the property was later tabled until that meeting.

The Council then approved the third pay request for the 2014 Conventional Hangar Project in the amount of $224,347 to Jensen Builders for work completed through July 14th.

A change order for the hangar project was also approved in the amount of an additional $2,160 due to the addition of two inches of insulation to provide additional frost protection.  This brings the total cost of the project to $307,660.

Next the council approved a resolution in regards to the operation of Violet Hill Cemetery on holidays.  When a city observed holiday lands on a Friday, Saturday or Monday that weekend will be charged at the holiday rate as defined by the resolution.

A cleaning services agreement for work at the Perry Public Library was then approved.  Due to uncontrollable circumstances, the City needed to look for an new cleaning provider.  The new agreement is with EZ Cleaning for a 12 month period, ending on August 1, 2015.

The Council then set a public hearing for a voluntary annexation request from Bradley and Tammy Burrell for their property north of the Violet Hill Property and a portion of City property.  The hearing will take place during the next regular meeting on Monday, August 4th.

A fence agreement for 2615 Taft was then considered.  Corey and Natalie Eastman are looking to construct a privacy fence to meet the requirements of their insurance company as they look to place a pool in their backyard.  Since the City owns the unimproved alleyway to the south, the Council needed to sign off on the request, which they did unanimously.

Finally, plats of survey for Block 91 in Original Town.  After approval from the Perry Planning and Zoning Commission, the Council approved the survey splitting the property into two parcels.

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