photo (5)The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.

At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Niebuhr said the Iowa Department of Transportation has finally approved the City’s application for funding for the Willis Avenue bridge project.  Specifics on the project are being worked out at this time.  Early estimates show the it will cost around $500,000 total with a fifth of that being the City’s responsibility and covered by the recent bond issuance.

Mayor Jay Pattee then spoke briefly about the the benefits of Perry being part of the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance, reminded those in attendance of the retirement celebration for Police Chief Dan Brickner later this week and recapped the recent Metro Alliance Council meeting he and Councilman John Andorf attended in Des Moines.  Pattee then cautioned City department heads to keep in mind that the City is working with less money this year than last year and though they’re not surprised, it is an issue that will need to be looked at when putting together the fiscal year 2015 budget.  A special budget session for the Council will take place next Monday from 4-6pm in the Clarion Room of the Security Bank Building.

Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley then expressed concern about pedestrians walking along the wrong side of the street at night in dark clothing with no reflectors.  He worries about these people getting hit by a car as this poses a safety concern for both the pedestrian and the motorist.  Councilwoman Barb Wolling expressed that sometimes those who walk do so on the street instead of sidewalk because often times the roads are less slick.  She recommended that anyone walking, especially when it’s dark to wear a safety vest.

Library Director Mary Murphy and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson then presented information on the new Perry One Calendar.  The online calendar is funded through Hotel Motel Tax funds at a rate of $315 annually.  It is available to view and contribute to via the Chamber of Commerce’s website at PerryIA.org.

Wilson then shared information on the 37th annual Bike Ride to Rippey coming up on February 1st.  He said more than 200 people have pre-registered already and the majority of riders typically sign up last minute, once they see the weather forecast.

Next the Council approved a recommendation from the personnel committee to hire Sven Peterson to fill the Administrative Assistant position.  He will be paid salary at $18 per hour, or $37,440 per year, with 90% of that rate being paid as he gets trained into the position.  Councilman Stone, who serves on the personnel committee, said they interviewed Peterson and asked a lot of questions and he’s confident in Sven’s abilities and feels this is a good transition for the City.  After one year’s time, there will be a full evaluation of Peterson and the position where both parties will be able to decide how to continue.

In new business, the Council then discussed a request to fill a full time employee vacancy at the McCreary Community Building.  Recreation Coordinator Zach Eggleston has put in his notice and will be leaving his position as of February 3rd.  Peterson is expected to help fill in the gaps at the recreation center for the time being, while the department and Park and Recreation Board begin the hiring process to fill the vacancy.  The position is a union one, which needs to be openly posted and will be for 10 days.

Plats of survey for parcels DD and DD of the Roberts Subdivision and AA and BB of lot 7, block 39 of original town were then approved.  And finally, the Council agreed to donate the police department’s extra mobile camera system to the City of Guthrie Center for them to utilize.  Niebuhr says the system was originally purchased through a grant and since this is going to another entity instead of a private company they’re comfortable with gifting the equipment.

We’ll have more with City Administrator Butch Niebuhr on these and other happenings in the City of Perry on today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County on AM 1310 KDLS during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.

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