The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.

At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson said efforts to potentially offer a tax abatement for new housing developments are moving forward.  He and other City staff also met with County Engineer Al Miller to discuss various projects, including the Park Street paving that Perry has requested.  Peterson also mentioned the results of project the Drake students have been working on, along with other projects they will be partnering together on in future semesters.

Mayor Jay Pattee then acknowledged Council member Phil Stone’s final meeting and wished him well.  Stone said the past 10 years have gone rather quickly and reiterated that Perry is on the edge of some great things and he thinks the City needs to be very progressive in looking ahead at what should be coming down the line for the City.  He also thanked department heads for being in attendance at meetings and available if they need to share input.

Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley then talked about a recent meeting he and Peterson attended with staff at Dallas County Hospital.  He says they are currently looking to fill several positions and hoping to find relief soon so that it will be easier for local residents to receive medical attention. Councilman John Andorf wished everyone a Merry Christmas and encouraged people to get involved in the next calendar year.

Dr. Rob Denson then addressed the Council on behalf of the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance.  He shared a brief annual report on what the Alliance has done over the past year.  He says Perry has been active in various aspects of the group.  He also thanked Perry for their great relationship with Des Moines Area Community College.

Mark Land with Snyder and Associates then spoke on behalf of the Beaver Creek Watershed Management Authority.  Land says Watershed Management Authorities were first established after the floods of 2008.  These groups must be made up of two or more cities, counties or soil and water conservation districts in the watershed and all must be invited to participate. Land says there’s no obligation in terms of cost to join the group, any sort of future costs would be pending approval of the jurisdiction’s governing body.  Land says there are 26 potential members in the proposed 28E agreement.  The agreement was unanimously approved by the Council later in the meeting.

The Council then approved a reciprocal easement agreement with Hamlin Bell Associates for the construction of a driveway near the senior housing complex at the old middle school lot.  Mayor Pattee says the developer will close with the City later this week and the project continues to move forward.

Storm water district utility fees were then discussed.  The proposed $2 increase to $5 per month would be the first increase since 2008 and Peterson says is the result of flooding issues and improvements that need to be made.  The Council will go through the reading cycle for the increase starting with the first meeting in January.

Rental agreements for the Clarion Room and Town Craft Building were then approved.  This limits use of the space to civic organizations, businesses and cultural and educational programs.  In the past, portions of the buildings could be rented out for private parties and gatherings, but due to an increasing amount of damage, and excessive cleaning and maintenance costs, staff recommended limiting use of the space.  All currently booked events will be honored.

Deputy Public Works Director Josh Wuebker was then appointed as the City’s representative on the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance, with Peterson Engineer Matt Ferrier serving as the alternate.

Finally, Gary Martin and Jeanette Peddicord were reappointed to the Perry Historic Preservation Commission for terms expiring on January 1, 2019. Current member Jim VonBehren submitted a letter of resignation and Dave Berkemann was appointed to serve the remainder of his term until January 1, 2017.

For more on the meeting and things happening in the City of Perry, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with Peterson during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.