The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.
At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson reminded attendees of the grass ordinance changes, stating that grass needs to be under eight inches by the first and third Wednesday of the month in order to avoid having the City mow it and be charged. The Willis Avenue bridge project went to bid through the Iowa Department of Transportation and only one bid was received. Peterson says since this was above the engineer’s estimate the Council will likely reject the bids. He also stated that the road resurfacing project is going well and the intersection project remains around one week ahead of schedule. Peterson also mentioned that the Drake University students who have been working on the water project in Perry will be presenting later this week.
During open forum, Cate Bryan a Republican candidate for Dallas County Auditor, introduced herself the the Council and attendees. She shared a bit of her background and why she’s running for the position.
Jenny Eklund then addressed the Council about the lack of hotel rooms in Perry. She says with the success La Poste is seeing by bringing in people from all over the Country for various events, there’s not enough room for people to stay overnight and guests are having to stay in Des Monies. Eklund says she’s talking to a variety of people in hope that another hotel or bed and breakfasts can be built or opened in Perry.
Christina Silva also addressed the Council about using the Caboose at Caboose Park. She says during special events she sells snacks like sno cones and popcorn but she’s hoping to be able to open a sandwich shop in the Caboose to offer food and snacks. Silva mentioned she’s a lifelong Perry resident and looks forward to being able to give back to the community.
The Council approved the first pay application for the 2016 road resurfacing project in the amount of $131,396 to Manatts Inc. for work completed through April 22nd. City Engineer Matt Ferrier says they’re currently about 20 blocks in on the roughly 52 block project.
The second change order for the Highway 144 and Willis Avenue intersection was then approved, adding $825 to the total project cost to cover a change in the Century Link vault. That cost will then be billed to Century Link for reimbursement to the City. The second pay request for the intersection project was also approved for around $65,000 to Voltmer Inc. for work completed through April 22nd.
A public hearing in regards to the fiscal year 2016 budget amendment was set for the May 16th Council meeting.
Burial plot rates at the Violet Hill Cemetery were then increased to $500 each. Twenty percent of the cost, or $100, will be deposited into the Perpetual Care Fund to pay for maintenance of the cemetery. This is a $30 increase.
A public hearing in regards to a 80/20 voluntary annexation of three properties was then set for the June 6th Council meeting.
Finally, the Council discussed future use of the Caboose at Caboose Park. A request for proposals was approved with interested parties having until May 11th to submit their proposals.
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 Sven Peterson during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.