The Perry City Council met in regular session on Monday.
According to Marketing and Engagement Coordinator Chris Cohea, the council reviewed a resolution with Bolton and Menk to conduct a study for the intersection of Willis Avenue and Highway 141. He illustrates the premise of the agreement is to collect data on the amount of traffic that passes through on a daily, weekly and monthly basis as well as reports on accidents that will be analyzed over a certain period of time. Cohea reveals that the data will then be submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation to evaluate further and determine next steps, with the possibility of installing a traffic light. The council then took action to adopt the resolution with their approval.
Cohea describes that other items on the agenda that were approved included a contact number for the CDBG Upper Story Housing Conversion Grant in the amount of $45,322 to take over a property located at 1306 2nd Street owned by Nudgers Kerns Managers, LLC, a resolution for a temporary construction easement and permanent public utility easement for phase one of the downtown improvement project, a resolution for a permanent easement for storm sewer right of way, a change order for the Willis Avenue Overlay project for a decrease of $53,102.87, a resolution for a statement of completion and final acceptance of the project with a final contract amount of $880,572.37, and a pay application for the project of $26,417.17 to Des Moines Asphalt and Paving.
Cohea says that more approved items featured a resolution to set a public hearing on the proposed zoning amendment from the agricultural district to heavy industrial district for July 7th at 6pm inside the Clarion Room of the Security Bank Building, a resolution for the site plan for Flex Space Buildings by M&R Properties, LLC, and a resolution to accept the application of JBS USA Food Company to the Iowa Economic Development Authority High Quality Jobs Program for a $137 million capital investment to create 250 new full-time jobs, of which 57 will meet or exceed the qualifying wage of $31.10 per hour.
Cohea adds that the council accepted a resolution to set salaries for City of Perry employees for fiscal year 2026, as there was a five percent increase. He notes that salaries for Wastewater Treatment employees of David Gliem, Jimmy Kezar, and Mark Ellsbury are currently being reanalyzed.