The Perry City Council met in regular session last night.

At the meeting, City Administrator Butch Niebuhr stated that the city is looking into options for quotes for sewer cleaning and inspection equipment.  If the city finds a contractor that fits what they need they will look into entering into an agreement with them and phasing out the aging equipment they currently have on hand.  Niebuhr also talked about a local property owner agreeing to move their property into City Limits to help create a state certified site near the industrial park to hopefully attract more businesses in the future.  Other property owners in the area are also being approached for this project and to attract commercial wind turbines.

Public works director Jack Butler then addressed the Council during open forum to state that they are working on temporary patches for extreme potholes in the City.  Anyone who has a pothole near them is encouraged to contact the street department at 465-2675.  In addition, Butler stated that they’ve received phone calls from residents who state sewer smells are coming through their pipes.  He says most of the issues are plugged pipes on the roof.

Deanna Booyer then addressed the Council in regards to the wind turbine project.  Though she and her husband live outside city limits she is concerned about the County’s desire to build these structures near her property.  She worries that the property values will decrease, the noise will be a nuisance, birds will be killed and other problems could arise.  She encouraged the Council and others in the City to do their research on the topic moving forward.

Next a public hearing was held in regards to the fiscal year 2015 budget.  The proposed budget includes a levy rate of $17.79 per $1,000 of valuation.  Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley made a comment that everyone involved worked well together to make sacrifices and make the budget work as well as possible, and often times much better than other cities in the same situation.  He feels the budget is responsible and though there are challenges ahead things are he and Mayor Jay Pattee both praised department heads and city staff for their help.  After no comments from the public, the Council unanimously approved the budget.

The Council then approved an agreement for HVAC improvements at the Perry Public Library.  Wolin out of Des Moines will retrofit the air handlers and replace the exterior condenser at a cost not to exceed $100,500. An insurance administrator contract and insurance contract for Perry city employees was then approved with service continuing with Bernie Lowe and Associates with an increase of 2.32% over the current rate.

A grant agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation was then approved for the Willis Avenue bridge project.  Niebuhr says this starts the wheels moving on the project and the DOT will determine whether state or federal funds will be used.  The city will be responsible for 20% of the replacement cost, which was included in the 2013 general obligation bond sale.

Finally, a public hearing was set for the next meeting on March 17th in regards to a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant.  The police department will be applying for the funding to offset the purchase price of a new vehicle.  If awarded the grant, it could contribute up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a 2014 Ford Interceptor SUV, equal to approximately one-third of the total cost.  This purchase would increase fuel efficiency over the vehicle currently being used.

We’ll have more on the budget and things happening in the City of Perry with city administrator Butch Niebuhr on today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS.