The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.
At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Niebuhr mentioned the storm damage limb and branch pickup next week, along with the first meeting with Drake University for the project the city will be working on with students that is scheduled to take place Thursday. In addition, Niebuhr says the snow ordinance went well and he hadn’t heard about any issues from the Public Works Department. Another Council budget workshop was then set for Friday the 13th at 8am.
Several citizens then addressed the Council during open forum. First Richard Reis, who stated he owns several rental properties in Perry, stepped up and asked the Council how the City plans to ensure that tenants are compelled to comply with rules set in place such as mowing lawns. Bob Nevitt, who is a local real estate agent and rental property owner, then talked to the Council about rental codes and issues he has had with tenants who do not obey rules. He feels there should be a committee formed of landlords and tenants, along with the City, to put a city rental code in place. Eddie Diaz then stepped up to the microphone to again talk about concerns he has with low-income housing in Perry. He said there are several people interested in being on a committee to talk about housing issues moving forward, that committee has not yet been formed. Nevitt then came back up to talk about the vacation of public property across from the public safety building that was discussed in length at the last meeting. He says the current owners of the property want the land vacated, regardless of who purchases and develops the property.
Next the Council held a public hearing in regards to clean up of the Brownfield site. The City received three bids for the project with J. Petticord coming in the lowest. However, even the low bid came in $77,500 higher than the engineer’s estimate, which Ryan Peterson with Impact 7G says is because contractors are busy and he does not see the costs decreasing if the City were to go out for a re-bid. After the public hearing, the Council approved the bid from J Pettiecord for $326,000 for the Brownfield Cleanup Project.
The Council then approved a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant loan application for the Sally Port Facility. The City wants to have the police department’s vehicles in a controlled environment when they are not in use. This grant, along with assistance from Minburn Telecommunications, may make it possible to build such a facility. Deb Lucht with Minburn Communications spoke to the Council about their desire to have such a revolving loan fund to help the City and potentially spur additional economic development in the future. If awarded the grant, a revolving loan fund will be created and the City will repay the loan over a ten year period with zero percent interest. The grant request is for $300,000.
An agreement with Safe Building Compliance and Technology was then approved. Iowa Code states that electrical service inspectors must obtain a certificate of qualification. Building official Steve Tibbles is currently taking the necessary steps to be certified and this company will perform the service at a cost of $75 per inspection until all required certifications are obtained. The Council then set commercial and residential building permit fees for those requesting an electrical inspection.
A public hearing was then set for the next Council meeting on Tuesday, February 17th in regards to the vacation of a public owned alley and right-of-way owned by Doug and Mary Bruce.
A $5,000 Urban Renewal Loan request from Mandarin Cafe was then approved. The business is relocating and asked for the loan, which will be paid back at an interest rate of 3% over a period of 10 years. Finance Officer Susie Moorhead said this is the third Urban Renewal Loan approved for this business, the first $5,000 one has already been paid back and another for $20,000 was approved in December and payments are current.
Next the Council approved the Pedestrian Crossing Signage Project for the trail crossing at Highway 141. Quotes will be accepted until 3pm on February 12th. City Administrator Niebuhr was then authorized to sign and accept and Iowa Department of Transportation Aviation Grant-Zoning Update. The City is expected to receive $19,550 for the zoning update, with the City responsible for the remaining 15%, though the Dallas County Board of Supervisors have agreed to pay those costs. A professional services agreement with Bolton and Menk was then approved in the amount of $23,000 for the zoning update at the airport.
Building official Steve Tibbles was then appointed as the City’s representative on the Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority, with administrative assistant Sven Peterson serving as the alternate. Finally, Ronda Onken was appointed to the Perry Historical Preservation Commission and Larry Vodenik was appointed as an alternate.
For more on last night’s meeting and things happening in the City of Perry, 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.