The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.
At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Niebuhr reported that budget meetings with department heads continue to be held. Staff continues to look at ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses. The next council budget work session is scheduled to take place Wednesday February 12th at 8:30am in the Clarion Room of the Security Bank Building.
Mayor Jay Pattee then encouraged residents to submit letters of intent for various city boards and commissions. There are currently several openings on many different boards, though there are incumbents who may be looking for another term anyone interested is encouraged to express their interest.
New police chief Eric Vaughn was then formally sworn in to his new position and the Council approved his employment agreement, with an annual salary of $64,500.
Councilman Dr Randy McCaulley then shared an update on the turkey vulture issue that he and Councilman Chuck Schott are looking into solutions for. McCaulley says they’ve spoke with the U.S. Department of Agriculture who recommended hanging a dead turkey vulture carcass high up in the tree to deter the birds from returning to the area. The City would have to get a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service in order to be able to kill one of the birds since they are federally protected as a migratory bird. The plan is to potentially replace the real carcass with a decoy so that multiple birds do not need to be killed. McCaulley and Schott will present a formal plan to the council for approval at the next meeting
Councilman Phil Stone then expressed concern about the Emerald Ash Borer being found in another Iowa community. With many ash trees in Perry, if the beetles spread to the local community it would be a very serious issue.
Councilwoman Barb Wolling then shared that she has purchased safety vests for those who walk when it’s dark and hard to see them. They will be left at City Hall for anyone who would like one to pick up free of charge.
A public hearing was then held in regards to phase one of the Iowa Energy Bank lighting improvement project. After hearing no input from the public, the Council approved the low bid of $229,870 from Voltmer Incorporated out of Decorah, Iowa. Their bid is $22,610 less than the engineer’s estimate for the project.
The Council then considered a request from Miguel Ruedas at 1224 5th Street to have chickens within city limits. Recently, the property owner was visited by the police chief who told him he was not allowed to have a rooster in the city limits. Ruedas expressed that he did not know that and has since gotten rid of the rooster but would like to keep the three hens he currently owns. The council approved the request, with Councilman John Andorf voting no and Councilman Schott absent from the meeting.
An ordinance repeal and replacement in regards to commercial wind turbines within city limits on agricultural property was then presented. The Council approved the first reading of the replacement, with the next one scheduled for the February 17th meeting.
We’ll have more on last night’s meeting and things happening in the City of Perry on 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.