The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.
At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson reported that the hot mix asphalt project has started and is going smoothly thus far. The Willis Avenue bridge project will go out to bid with the Iowa Department of Transportation Tuesday. City Engineer Matt Ferrier reported that the runway project at the airport continues to move forward and Police Chief Eric Vaughn says they have made a job offer to a young man from Ankeny who will begin the police academy on Monday and be on the streets as a Perry officer after around 14 months. Additionally, City Clerk Corey Eastman says the City’s permit to sacrifice turkey vultures expired the end of March and they’re working with the necessary authorities to get another one as soon as possible. Peterson also mentioned that the Dallas County Conservation Board has chosen the “route A” option which follows 130th Street to Bouton and they’re continuing to work with land owners to get everyone on board to make the project happen.
John Palmer with the Historic Preservation Commission then spoke about their upcoming project and awards which will be handed out on April 30th. This is the ninth year the Commission has recognized individuals and couples who have helped preserve the history of Perry.
Mayor Jay Pattee then read a proclamation in honor of Arbor Day on April 29th.
A public hearing in regards to a general obligation loan agreement to build a sally port for the police department at the public safety building was then held. The project is expected to cost around $500,000. The loan agreement with Minburn Communications, who obtained a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to start a revolving loan fund, is not to exceed $360,000 at a rate of zero percent interest. The remainder of the project will be paid for with revenues from the local option sales tax fund. The loan agreement was later approved by the Council
A resolution approving the issuance of $2,540,000 in general obligation bonds to Banker’s Bank out of Madison, Wisconsin was then approved.
The first change order for the Highway 144 and Willis Avenue intersection improvement project was then approved at a cost of $4,400. This is due to necessary changes to traffic control at the intersection.
The first pay application for the project was also approved in the amount of $70,000 for work completed through April 8th.
Insurance administration contracts with Wellmark and Two Rivers Insurance were then approved. Health insurance rates will increase by 7.61 percent for the 2017 fiscal year. Skip Lowe with Bernie Lowe and Associates says this is fantastic compared to other renewals he is seeing in the market. Group dental and vision insurance renewals were also approved at an increase of 2.9 percent for the next fiscal year.
A request to have livestock within city limits was then approved and Allison Perez at 821 Park Street was given permission to have hens at her residence.
Jeff Hix and John Cruit were then reappointed to the tree board for terms expiring April 1st 2019.
Finally, Lee Greiman was given permission to conduct a controlled burn on his Conservation Reserve Program property at 2508 1st Avenue in Perry.
For more on the meeting and other happenings in Perry, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with City Administrator Sven Peterson during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.