City Council agrees to purchase properties
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr City Council agreed to purchase a pair of properties during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday at City Hall. The properties are located at 207 S. Harrison St. and 202 W. Jefferson St inside the city limits.
The Harrison Street address is an empty building lot, while the Jefferson Street address contains a two-story home that has been on the city’s blighted property list for some time. Both properties are owned by Laura Beerbaurer who agreed to sell the properties to the city for $12,000. The city continues to expand their search for viable locations on which they can add much needed housing for the community. Closing for the purchase is expected to take place on or after September 15. Closing fees are to be paid by the city. Plans for these two locations are pending further discussion with city council. The council also entertained a presentation by Kelly Main representing the Airport Commission as a follow up to the last council meeting where the commission lobbied the council for additional funding to help with the completion of the hangar repair project that has been on going. Since the last council meeting making the funding assistance several substantial donations have been made on behalf of the Airport Commission that will help to facilitate the needed repairs at the airport. The council agreed to hear the plea for additional funding support upon receiving the pending bid proposal that was expected later this week to effect the repairs. Once the bids have been received the city will be notified as to the expected actual funding needed. The council agreed that a special session of the council may be needed to make a final decision on funding. Time is important since the Airport Commission intends to host a “fly in breakfast” on September 12 at the airport and are hoping to have repairs completed before this event.
The city agreed to fund a road repair project to be done by Feldhacker Contracting, LLC of Creston. Feldhacker has the specialized equipment needed to complete the repairs, mainly pot holes and dips in the existing road surfaces. Feldhacker charges by the truck load of repair material. The cost per load is $1,950. The city has already budgeted for this expense and has agreed to purchase 10 truckloads to start and then will reevaluate additional needs upon initial project completion. No road closures or detours are predicted during these repairs. Finally council had an open discussion with City Administrator Brent Wise regarding some equipment needs for the city, specifically dump bed trucks the city owns. Years of normal use has degraded the equipment to an extent that will require replacement or extensive repairs. No resolutions were proposed as a result of this open discussion.
Storm water projects currently underway were also highlighted with positive progress having been notated. The Council also granted a renewal of the liquor license to Lucky Lanes. The Housing Committee will meet on Aug. 27 for ongoing rental house rules compliance and blighted property status updates.
