City employees to get 3 percent raises
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The Mount Ayr city council voted unanimously Monday eventing to increase full time city worker’s wages by three percent effective July 1.
Some city employees can see larger increases by getting certifications in certain areas such as wastewater or sewage management.
The council also spent time on the city’s tree ordinance, and doing more to enforce those provisions.
The current ordinance says that no person shall plant a tree within the parking or street without first obtaining a permit from the city.
It also says no tree shall be planted in any parking which is less than four feet wide. In addition, all trees planted in the parking must be from the city’s official tree list and planted in accordance with city specifications.
Only small trees designated in the official tree list may be planted under utility lines.
It is also the duty of the property owner to trim all branches that are at least 15 feet above the surface of the street and eight feet above the sidewalks.
If the abutting property owner fails to trim the trees, the city may serve notice on the abutting property owner requiring that such action be taken within five days. If no action is taken within that time, the city may perform the required action and assess the costs against the property owners for collection in the same manner as a property tax.
Recycling
The council was informed their cost of recycling in the city would increase from $225 to $275 for collection 26 times per year.
No action was taken on increasing rates at this time.
Other items
In other action, the council approved setting a public hearing date for the “Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2002–Ending June 30, 2023.
That proposed budget can be found on page 8 of this week’s Record News.
The council also approved a marketing agreement with Service Line Warranties of America in which residents can purchase a service plan where sewer and water line laterals between the mainline and the connection on residential private property owners would be covered.
Participation by residents in the plan is not required.
The council also heard that a swimming pool conception open house is being planned for late April or mid May.
The council was informed that they have already received 12 applications for lifeguard for the 2022 season.
The city also continues to work on a purchasing policy that would align with concerns from the state auditor about purchases that include city council members.
