Sesquicentennial planning to begin
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Bishop announces resignation from council
The Mount Ayr city council learned of a sesquicentennial celebration being planned, a council member resigning, and reviewed a new rental housing code at their regular meeting Monday, May 20.
Sesquicentennial
Mount Ayr will be celebrating 150 years in 2025 (1875 – 2025). Tracee Knapp and Carrie Main were in attendance to share that a committee has been formed to plan a sesquicentennial celebration.
They are planning for sometime during September of 2025 so schools have a chance to bring a band and participate in the parade.
Currently, they are gathering consensus around the timing of the event and seeking input. They asked for the council’s approval so committees and group involvement can be organized.
They are meeting with members of the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
Anyone interested in joining the celebration planning group can contact Tracee Knapp at 641-202-4801.
City administrator Brent Wise noted their goal would be to have an idea of any financial commitments needed by November, as they will be developing the new budget.
Rental Housing Code
A total of three readings for a new rental housing ordinance began with the first reading being approved Monday. The new code will apply to all rental dwellings (except temporary housing), and require rental property owners to have a permit on file with the City of Mount Ayr. All rental properties will be inspected by a city official at least every three years to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants and the general public. A rental housing registration form, and a rental housing inspection form were also shared with the council in preparation of the new procedures.
The city will need to have three readings of the new ordinance and three public meetings before adopting anything. Wise noted anything can be altered, but an amendment process would be necessary and then the three meeting approval process would start over.
Jessica Murphy questioned how soon the ordinance would take effect.
“When could we vote to approve [the ordinance]” asked council member Murphy.
“At the third meeting, the council could approve the ordinance,” stated Wise, “Then the entire thing [ordinance] goes into the paper as a public notice.” He anticipates sometime in the next 6 weeks, by the fourth of July, they could get all three readings completed.
Inspections would not be done in July, as the soonest they could start would likely be September or October.
The city would send all landlords the new ordinances and information. Wise shared that the city has been divided into four quadrants, and plans to roll out implementation of the new ordinance by area of the city.
Pool Bond Agreement
Administrator Wise presented a $2,000,000 bond purchase agreement with a premium of $110,870 to the council, and requested approval of a resolution to enter into the agreement with D.A. Davidson & Co.
Wise reviewed the details of the agreement with the council, including the maturity, principal amount, and interest rate schedule.
Wise noted he expects pool proceeds to be deposited on June 18. The council unanimously approved resolution 2024-848 to enter into the bond purchase agreement for the sale of the general obligation swimming pool improvement bonds, series 2024.
Council Resignation
Council member Jessica Bishop submitted a letter of resignation, effective June 17.
“As much as I wish to continue contributing to our city’s growth and prosperity, my responsibilities at home and work are becoming increasingly demanding,” Bishop stated in her letter, “I believe stepping down is the most responsible course of action.”
Bishop noted the second meeting in June will be her last meeting, however she will not be able to make either meeting in June, unless it rains.
The city could either have a special election to fill the vacancy, or council members could appoint someone to the position. The public would then have 30 days to petition if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the appointment.
“How much does it cost to do that [special election],” asked council member Murphy.
Administrator Wise noted the city could expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 to hold a special election.
“Think about what you want to do,” stated Mayor Steve Fetty.
Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
- Amending City Code Chapter 26 to include rental housing within the scope of the city administrator duties. Three readings of the revised code will be necessary.
- A resolution for a 1% wage increase for city employees.
- A resolution to hire Nicole Swank as deputy clerk at a rate of $20 per hour and Jessie Ruby as a public works employee at $18 per hour, starting this week.
- Entering into a contract with V&K to administer the downtown housing grant after the departure of Amanda Cannon.
- Entering into an agreement with Kyle Sheetz and Lorrie Scrivner and the City of Leon for onsite training.
Administrator Update
The council discussed options for the removal of dead or diseased Ash trees at Loch Ayr Lake.
Administrator Wise reported he has met with city staff and talked with them about getting their licensing for water and sewer.
We have one that has a level I and level II license, and if he were to get a level III he could become the operator, which would help balance the work load between employees.
“Do you guys want to be involved,” Wise asked the council, “How much do you want to be involved, we start tomorrow at 2 p.m.”
Council members Jessica Murphy and Mike Wik are willing to help, but neither of them were available at 2 p.m.
Wise also provided an update on various issues with office hardware, software, and IT management.
He noted they are in the process of switching IT support from Access Systems to onboarding with MMIT.
“Last week we had two days we could actually use our programs like Simple City, it was terrible,” said Mari Hughes, “It happened again today.”
“We do have $3,500 in equipment we need to buy, like a server,” said Wise.
“Things just aren’t working like they should,” stated Hughes.
Switching topics, Wise moved on to other projects.
“We do have money in our budget for curb and gutter,” said Wise, “I have $15,000 specifically for curb and gutter repair.”
He plans to look at a few areas in town, take some pictures, and comeback to the next council meeting to provide more details.
Fetty and Wise also reminded council members that Melissa Stark sent out an invitation to an emergency management round table discussion with FEMA representatives present from 6-9 p.m.
