The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.
At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Nicbuhr said the Des Moines Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is looking to hire a regional consultant to look into indoor sport facilities in the area. The most recent Comprehensive Plan shows potential interest in building such a facility in Perry, including an indoor soccer field. Though nothing is happening at this time, the City may be able to utilize that person if and when that project comes to fruition. Niebuhr then talked about the funds they will be able to receive from Alliant Energy for the new street lights downtown. The City will receive $10,400, based on the projected meter readings and energy savings. The Council is also expected to vote on approval of the Comprehensive Plan during the December 2nd meeting. Finally, Niebuhr announced that the court did approve the City’s offer for purchase of the property owned by Hanselman/Hinds, the Brownfield’s area that the bid was approved for at the last meeting. The property did change ownership since the initial plans were made, so Niebuhr will be speaking with the City Attorney to finalize things.
Councilwoman Jenny Eklund then reminded the council and those in attendance about Art on the Prairie November 9th and 10th and talked about a publication they are finalizing with Iowa magazine.
Debra Lucht, Keetah Dodson and Larry Decamp then spoke on behalf of Minburn Communications to give the Council and update on their fiber optic line project in Perry. The company is asking local businesses who are interested in taking advantage of this service give them a two year commitment because of the investment, the City being one of them which will be a decrease in cost compared to their current agreement. Debra said the construction portion of the project is expected to be completed in the middle of November with service being turned on mid to late November.
Next the Council approved a resolution issuing $2 million in general obligation corporate purpose bonds. Next the Mayor and Council discussed filling a full time position in the police department due to the resignation of officer Pavelka who has accepted a position with the Guthrie Center Police Department. His last day will be November 1st. The council approved advertising for the position, which will bring the force back up to the 12 allowed officers, plus part time work as needed.
The next item on the agenda was discussion on City of Perry employee living requirements. The issue was on the agenda because Officer Pavelka was interested in moving out of the requirements, since he is leaving the department the issue is not in need of immediate action. Earlier this year the Council approved a resolution that allows up to three officers to live outside city limits, if hired before December 2014. City code says all essential employees, being fire and police, need to live within 5 miles of City limits. Other city employees are encouraged to live within the school district. Ultimately, the Council decided to look at various options and the matter will be further discussed at a future meeting.
The Council then approved the installation of street lights by Alliant Energy on Sunflower street between Winter and Summer Streets. Public hearings were then set for a development agreement with Hotel Pattee LLC, along with the issuance of an urban renewal tax increment revenue bonds and an amendment to the urban renewal plan. All three hearings will take place at the next meeting on November 18th.
Funds for the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance were then approved. The City will be giving the alliance $2,000 to offset travel expenses when attending the annual meeting of the Site Selectors Guild in Denver, Colorado and representing Perry.
An urban renewal loan application for the Hotel Pattee in the amount of $3,000, to be repaid over three years with an interest rate of 3% was then approved by the Council, along with an application for a $5,000 urban renewal loan from the Mandarin Cafe to be repaid over five years at an interest rate of 3% were approved. The hotel plans to use the funds to repair damaged restaurant booths and lobby furniture, while the Mandarin Cafe will use the money to replace their cooking stove. After these approvals, the $200,000 revolving fund will have roughly $10,000 remaining.
Finally plat of survey for Parcel DD and Tract A of Parcel CC was then approved.
For more on last night’s meeting, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County program during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours when we discuss these and other items with City Administrator Butch Niebuhr.