The Perry City Council convened Monday evening for their first regular session of 2020.

The meeting began with a public hearing regarding the use of eminent domain to acquire land for the runway renovation project at the Perry Municipal Airport. Following the hearing, the Council approved a resolution to authorize the public improvement, requiring the acquisition of agricultural land. They also set another public hearing on the topic for February 3rd and sent notice to the remaining property owners that eminent domain may be used. Next, the Council appointed Assistant Public Works Director Josh Wuebker to the policy and technical committees of the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance (CIRTPA), and City Administrator Sven Peterson and City Engineer Matt Ferrier as alternates.

They also appointmented Erin Holmes to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Alice Miskimins to the Board of Adjustment. Also in new business, the Council accepted a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) grant in the amount of $884,703 from the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Bateman Street widening project. They then approved the bid letting for the 2020 asphalt overlay project and the next phase of the McCreary Community Building renovation. Finally, the Council approved an application for grant funding through the Iowa Jobs Training program for the Parks and Recreation Department.

To learn more about the Perry City Council meeting, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.