StuartThe Stuart City Council met in regular session Monday. The Council approved a 3% increase in wages for City employees, though they made no changes to benefits. They discussed the possibility of implementing an 80/20 ratio for coverage for new employees while grandfathering in current employees. The Council moved to refer the matter to Ahlers and Cooney and the City Attorney.

The Council also approved the hire of Tyler DeFrancisco as the newest Stuart Police Officer. DeFrancisco takes over for Pedro Leyva, who recently resigned. They also discussed future Tax Increment Financing for the Morrison Building project, with no formal action taken, and officially endorsed the Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND) program for Dr. Cross at Stuart Family Dental.

Other action items approved include: a WCV Recreation Fun Run proposal, a resolution authorizing the sale of bonds for the Karl Chevrolet expansion project, the annual “road use” report, the first reading on an ordinance to include fee payments and schedules in nuisance mowing contracts for City residents, and the 2018 street improvement/asphalt/engineering agreement. The meeting concluded with public forum. Discussion topics with nor formal action included: City-wide trash and recycling containers, lighting solutions in the pocket park, the recent town cleanup, and the Friends Church signs.