The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.

At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson mentioned Tyson Fresh Meat’s recent donation of $100,000 to the Pattee Park Soccer Complex project and $120,000 in funds for improvements to the airport from the Iowa Department of Transportation.  Councilman John Andorf then talked about the most recent Metro Alliance Council meeting he and Mayor Jay Pattee attended.  Andorf says they heard from someone at Housing Tomorrow who discussed housing needs and the importance of having adequate and well placed homes for residents.  Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley then congratulated Councilman Chuck Schott’s recent induction into the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame.

During open forum, new Perry Chief sports reporter Cesar Toledo introduced himself and mentioned that he’s excited to be in Perry and working in the community.

Carolyn McNeil then stepped forward to share her concern with messes in her yard in the 900 block Park Street.  She says there’s a large mosquito and flooding problem.  McNeil says she has lost two trees in her yard due to drowning, along with problems with her corner fence.  She said between the church next door and the City, someone needs to do something about it.  Councilman Chuck Schott says he too has water in his yard but he uses a sump pump and it alleviates the issue.  McNeil says she would have to run that a long ways to get the water out of her yard.  No action was taken by the Council.

A public hearing in regards to the Pattee Park Expansion Project was then held.  The City received no bids for the project.  Josh Sheilds with Bolton and Menk recommends rebidding the project later this year for a groundbreaking in the spring.  With the recent donation from Tyson, Peterson says it’s possible they will be able to expand the project in the future.  No action was taken, the Council will likely advertise the project again this fall.

An abatement appeal hearing in regards to 401 Lucinda Street then continued.  After the last meeting, the property owner Bonifacio Aquirre put together a proposed plan for the home that was destroyed by a fire years ago.  Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley brought up concerns with the building being secured and not allowing people, animals or water into the home.  Aquirre says he did fix some of the broken windows but there are still a few that are not fully secured but he can make sure that is done.  The proposed plan and timeline that was presented to the Council lists a demolition start date of March 2016, with the rebuilding done by next July.  Jessica Aquirre who was speaking on behalf of her father and serving as a translator says the money he received from insurance went directly to the bank do to a loan on the home.  She says her father has been approved for a loan to do the project.  Building Inspector Steve Tibbles says if the money is secured, he does not feel there’s a reason why the home couldn’t been demolished and rebuilt yet this year, within the 90 day notice the property owner was given.  The Council voted to extend the abatement notice until November 11th.  The home needs to be demolished by that date and the structure secured. Aquirre can then apply for a building permit to save the basement and build on top of it, he would then have one year to complete the project.

The Council then approved a bid from Wolin Electric for the Wiese Park Pathway Lighting Improvements in the amount of $23,591.  Shields says the project will involved retrofiting the current poles and putting up new and more efficient light fixtures. The City received $25,000 from Wiese Foundation for the project.

Permanent public utility perpetual and temporary construction easements were then approved for James and Tonia Prombo and the Perry Assembly of God.

Finally, the Council approved a parade request from the Hispanics United for Perry for the Viva Perry Latino Festival on August 29th.

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 Peterson during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS, the new 99.7 FM and online at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.