The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.
At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Niebuhr reported that Perry was one of two cities picked for the pilot program with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Drake University to look at ways to improve downtown. The goal is to finalize the program by January 7th and start the project this spring semester. In addition, a Perry Cultural District Revitalization Open House will be held on Tuesday, December 16th from 4:30-7pm to review implementation progress from the 2004 downtown mater plan. The event is open to the public and everyone can stay as little or as long as they would like. Niebuhr also said this week he’s meeting with Impact 7G about the Brownfield grants that have been applied for.
Mayor Jay Pattee then spoke about a few things Perry has to be proud of, including recent awards won by the Hotel Pattee, being a safe place to live, providing the breeder stock for most of the eggs laid in the world and Tyson supplying the majority of meat for Japan. He says there’s a lot of good things going on and the community should be proud.
Next a public hearing was held in regards to a re-zoning request for the property across Willis Avenue from the public safety building. The request is to change the parcel to residential multi-family in order to accommodate proposed improvements. After hearing no comments from the public, the Council voted to approve the resolution rezoning the property, with Councilman Phil Stone voting no and Councilwoman Barb Wolling was absent.
Pay request number four for the 18th Street reconstruction project was then approved in the amount of $558,819 to Elder Corporation for work completed through November 21st. Matt Ferrier with Bolton and Menk says there are driveways that still need to be completed on the project.
An amendment to the cleaning services agreement with EZ Cleaning for work at the Perry Public Library was then approved, changing the pay structure to a $1,000 once a month, rather than splitting the cost in half and paying twice a month.
A tax credit application from Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners was then approved by the Council. This is for the development and acquisition of an existing housing development. The company plans to add 20 additional units to the building, for a total of 50 units once the project is completed. They will also be rehabilitating the current structure and adding amenities like a playground, picnic area, in-unit washers and dryers, storage units, a computer learning center and adequate off-street parking. Councilman Chuck Schott voted no on the motion to approve the application.
The Council then discussed a request to establish a Urban Revitalization Area for a proposed development. Bear Development requested Urban Revitalization Tax Exemptions for the proposed development across the street from the public safety building. Representatives said they feel their chances at being approved for this exemption request are about 50/50 at this time. The proposed apartments will all be located in one, two story building with twenty units. No action was taken on the agenda item.
A public hearing in regards to entering into a Land Lease Option and Lease Agreement was then set for the next meeting on December 15th. The land is part of the Brownfieldds area that has completed the necessary clean up to allow for future development.
Cindy Rivera was then appointment to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board to complete the term previously held by Kris Powell who resigned from the position. The term is set to expire on March 1st of 2017.
The first reading of an ordinance to set the speed limit at 30 miles per hour for the new portion of 18th Street between McKinley Street north to Park Street was then approved, along with the first reading of an ordinance that says no parking will be allowed on either side of that street.
For more on last night’s meeting, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with Niebuhr during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS.