IMG_3276The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.

At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture did get the grant to build a sally port at the Police Department, this will allow officers to get in and out of their squad cars and into the public safety building without having to deal with the weather and other elements.

Peterson also mentioned that the sanitary sewer cleaning and filming projects are moving forward, along with inspection and enforcement of the City’s sump pump ordinance.

Mayor Jay Pattee then mentioned the rain and flooding issues the City has recently dealt with he says it’s important for the City to address the sump pump issues to make sure water isn’t going from one basement to another.  Pattee also encouraged everyone to vote in the county-wide special bond referendum election Tuesday.

Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley then asked for an update on the turkey vulture issue.  Police Chief Eric Vaughn said they have returned and there are some problems still near the 7th and Warford Streets area.  He said they have sacrificed one bird so far and are hoping to get a second one and be able to hang it with the help of the fire department this week.  This helps deter the birds from roosting in an area tree.

During open forum, local resident Gene Heimer encouraged the Council to follow through with addressing the sewer and flooding issues.  He says they were out of town during the most recent storm and ended up with a lot of water in their home.  Heimer states that while he has lived in the same home for decades, this problem has gotten worse in he last month and a half.

A public hearing was then held in regards to public annexation of several properties on the north side of town.  Mayor Pattee says the land in this area is pristine and will be a great location for some beautiful housing in the future.  Following the hearing, the Council later approved the annexation as presented.

The second pay request for the apron rehabilitation project at the Perry Municipal Airport was then approved in the amount of $87,906 to Jensen Builders for work completed through July 24th.  Peterson says he and City Engineer Matt Ferrier were out at the airport Monday and things are moving along well.  They hope to start paving for the project this week, weather permitting.

A supplemental agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation in regards to maintenance of primary roads was then approved.  The annual agreement is in regards to snow removal, street cleaning and traffic control devices on state highways.

The Council then discussed an abatement appeal hearing for Bonifacio Aguirre of 4o1 Lucinda.  His daughter served as a translator during the discussion she says the home was damaged in a fire two years ago.  Her father owns several other properties as well and has put off this project, despite getting a 90 day notice from the City.  She said he is asking for an extension until spring of 2016 to complete the project as it has a nice and finished basement and his goal is to take the structure down and rebuild in order to not leave the basement open.  Aguirre says he is willing to make sure the structure is completely closed and secure to prevent people, animals and moisture from getting inside.  Council members expressed sympathy for the neighbors who have had to deal with this “eye sore” for two years.  Ultimately, the Council voted unanimously to table the discussion until the next meeting so that City staff has time to look at options, come up with a timeline and make a recommendation for how to best move forward.

Madison Stonehocker was then approved as an addition to the Perry Volunteer Fire Department.

A resolution ordering bids, approving plans and specifications and setting a public hearing for Highway 144 intersection signal improvements was then approved.  Bids are due by September 2nd and the public hearing will take place during the September 7th council meeting.  The City has been awarded a 100 percent, $380,000 grant to pay for the project.

City Administrator Sven Peterson will join us on tomorrow’s Let’s Talk Dallas County to further recap these and other projects happening in the City of Perry.

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