The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.
At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson reported that Manatts Inc. will be returning Monday to work on the second phase of the asphalt overlay project and lighting is being replaced at the recreation center for more energy efficiency. Mayor Jay Pattee reported on a few recent meetings he attended and Councilman Dean Berkland talked about the Let’s Connect group’s efforts in fundraising to connect the Raccoon River Valley to High Trestle Trails.
Three public hearings were then held, the first in regards to voluntary annexation of property owned by Jason and Tiffany Olejniczak and Charles and Julie Scheib, which brought up no comments from the audience. The annexations were later approved by the Council as presented.
The second public hearing was in regards to the Urban Revitalization Plan. This includes a tax abatement plan for new housing and significant increases in assessment of at least $20,000. Dallas County Assessor State Helm was present to explain how the process works and what can and cannot be abated. The program offers a five year 100% tax abatement, along with an additional five years of abatement decreasing by 15 percent annually. The plan will sunset after 10 years. Dan Spellman with the Spellman Law Firm spoke on behalf of Perry Industries and Perry Economic Development then presented about the benefits of tax abatement for the Perry area as only one new home has been built in Perry over the past decade. He says it’s a long term investment for the community and benefit for the Perry Community School District. Deb Lucht with Minburn Communications, who is also part of Perry Industries, also spoke about how the tax abatement can help attract new businesses and development. Matt McDevitt with Raccoon Valley Bank and Perry Economic Development talked about the the residential benefits to having a tax abatement program. He says Perry needs balance and more middle-class and upper middle class options for residents. Nevitt Real Estate owner Bob Nevitt also spoke in favor of the plan and abatement program stating that it is long overdue. A Des Moines based developer also talked about how important the marketing of this plan will be and stated he already had clients express interest in building in Perry. Councilman Chuck Schott expressed concern in this abatement program being enough to lure custom home builders into staying or coming to Perry. Following the public hearing, the Council approved the plan as presented. After a thirty day waiting period, the abatement program will need to go through a three reading process before it goes into effect.
The third public hearing was about the disposal of public property to split a lot in the Otley addition. Following no comments from the public the disposal was approved as presented, as was a plat of survey for the property.
The fourth change order for the Highway 144 and Willis Avenue intersection project was then approved at an additional cost of $4,200 to Voltmer Inc. This brings the project’s contract price to nearly $390,000. The final acceptance, certificate for completion and fifth pay request for the project were also approved by the Council.
A cleaning services agreement for the Perry Public Library was then approved. The one year contract with EZ Cleaning comes at a cost of $1,000 per month.
Building permit fees for the Perry Community School District were then waived by the Council as the District plans to construct a 20 by 30 foot storage building at the Perry Athletic Complex.
A services agreement with RDG Planning and Design for concept plans for the “In the Shadows of the Rails” public art initiative along the Raccoon River Valley Trail was then approved by the Council.
A plat of survey creating a parcel of land in original town was then approved as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
A request from Marina Lopez to have hens within city limits at her home in the 1200 block of 5th Street was approved and Wilbur Dickerson and JP Hulgan were appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for terms that will expire on August 1, 2020.
For more on the 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.