Council makes preparations for future projects
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Preparations for future projects were among topics considered during the Mount Ayr city council’s regular meeting Monday, April 19.
The council approved a letter of engagement with the Southern Iowa Council of Governments for the Mount Ayr 2021 housing rehab grant.
Under the agreement, SICOG will complete the Low and Moderate Income Survey and Homeowner Verification in preparation for CDBG grant program.
Homeowner verification will include marketing of the grant program, review of submitted applications, homeowner income verification, a report of the number and eligibility of homeowners, and photos of the exteriors of qualified applicants.
The housing program allows eligible residents to apply for grant funding to repair their properties.
The council also authorized the preparation of application materials for a USDA-Rural Development grant for project planning on the proposed Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation Project. Garden and Associates of Creston will prepare the application.
The council accepted the quote from Andrew’s Roofing Company of Des Moines for replacement of the roof on the Mount Ayr Public Library.
The quote of $28,465 includes the removal of the current tile roof and replacement with stone- coated steel shingles in a similar architectural style.
The 100-year-old roof is reaching the end of its useful life, and in recent years, leaks have damaged interior walls as well as thousands of dollars of library materials.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• hired two additional lifeguards – Ann James and Taylor Clymer – for the upcoming swimming season at the Judge Lewis Park pool.
• postponed any decision regarding access to water service from SIRWA for properties on the west side of Loch Ayr Lake. Before making any decision, the council wanted more information about potential regulations from the DNR if water service were to be allowed.
• learned that Matt Henle has chosen to withdraw his application for a Catalyst Grant for improvements on a property he owns on East Madison Street.
• briefly discussed storm water run-off issues along Van Buren Street.
• briefly discussed nuisance properties, especially those associated with abandoned structures.
• heard a request from Gary Keplinger for the city to consider building a recreation center with an indoor pool.
Keplinger included information about a similar facility in Woodbine, a city slightly smaller than Mount Ayr. He included photos and descriptions of the Woodbine facility, including the $17.5 million price tag paid for by a combination of funding from the town, the school, a regional foundation, USDA and other grants, and local fund-raising.
