IMG_0119The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.

At the meeting Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley addressed the rest of the Council in response to a letter to the editor recently published in the Perry Chief in regards to the removal of trees in the downtown business district.  Dr. McCaulley said that some things were looked over and the letter included some unnecessary jabs at City Administrator Butch Niebuhr.  He said the Council is not involved in the day-to-day business of the City and they do not always know all the specifics of regular business.  Dr. McCaulley said the trees that were removed were done so by City crews after receiving requests from business owners who expressed damage to their buildings and sidewalks in front of them.  Councilman Phil Stone also chimed in mentioning the liability of broken sidewalks and said writing a letter to the editor is kind of a “cheap shot” when it comes to expressing yourself and encouraged citizens to come address the council with their comments during open forum at a regular meeting.  Councilman Chuck Schott said business owners have also mentioned to him several times that they don’t like the trees in front of their business and wish they were gone.  Councilman John Andorf said while he knows that a lot of people like trees, sometimes they cause problems like the Emerald Ash Borer that will continue to be discussed in the future.

Police Chief Eric Vaughn and Public Works Director Jack Butler then spoke about a speed study on Highway 141.  Vaughn said they were particularly concerned with speeds near the Raccoon River Valley Trail crossing.  He said the results of the study and recommendation that came with it surprised them in saying maybe the speed limit in some areas should be increased instead of decreased as it would be more natural for drivers.  At this time the Council will take action on the topic at a future meeting.

Deputy Public Works Director Josh Wuebker then invited the Council to the second annual Safety and Employee Appreciation Day from 10:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday, October 29th.  He said the program went over really well last year and it’s nice for employees to meet each other and feel appreciated.  The day will include introduction of employees, information on things like workman’s comp, ALICE training and how to use a fire extinguisher.

Butler then spoke briefly about several calls coming in about leaves lately.  He said they turned the street sweeper on for the first time this season Monday.  He encourages residents to pick up leaves in the storm sewer intakes on the curb by their home when they’re cleaning up their yards.

Several pay requests were then approved including the fifth one for the Iowa Energy Bank Lighting Project in the amount of $11,569 to Voltmer Inc., the eighth for the 28th Street Construction project in the amount of $23,613 to Keller Excavating and the sixth for the McCreary Center parking lot rehabilitation in the amount of $18,341 to to Jensen Builders.  Other pay requests the third for the hot mix asphalt resurfacing for $15,487 to Grimes Asphalt, the fifth for the 2014 conventional hangar project in the amount of $16,661 to Jensen Builders, the second for the 18th Street reconstruction in the amount of $137,343 to Elder Corporation and finally the third for $42,062 to Wolin and Associates for the HVAC project at the public safety building.  A second change order for the 2014 conventional hangar project was also approved, decreasing the total cost of the project by $8,633.

Next, under new business the Council approved a maintenance agreement with Ziegler for the lift station generator.  The manufacturer will provide general safety checks and maintenance for the next five years at an annual rate of $1,980.

The Council then approved an application submittal for a pilot program for economic development.  The program is put together by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Drake University.  Students will research ways to improve economic viability of the downtown and urban neighborhood districts.  If selected for the process, the City would provide up to $5,000 to cover the cost of the program.

Finally, the Council approved the deletion of uncollectable past due utility bills.  After unsuccessful collection attempts due to bankruptcy, death or other reasons, $4,065 in uncollectable bills will be deleted from the Water Works billing system.  Niebuhr says this amount is quite good, considering the last time they cleared out these accounts was back in 2001 and was a five-figure amount.

For more on last night’s 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.

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