Dead trees plague city; East Madison Street project reviewed

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The Mount Ayr city council heard from engineers on a revision to the Madison Street sidewalk project, and discussed what to do about an excessive amount of dead trees at their regular meeting Wednesday, June 5.

Mayor Steve Fetty opened the meeting by explaining they have a new way of conducting simple business under a Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda will include the approval of prior meeting minutes, the claims report, any other reports and simple items that city council members receive in their packets. Council members have the option of requesting items drop off the Consent Agenda, so they can be discussed and voted on separately.

Madison St. Project
John Micka, a landscape architect from Veenstra & Kimm, was present to review updates to the E. Madison Street sidewalk replacement project between Taylor and Polk Streets.
Micka explained revisions to address issues with the sewer system.  Previous plans also didn’t have any grass landscaping.  Revised documents allow for grass landscaping to be added and decrease expense for concrete.
Council members discussed sewer options including a pump and an additional manhole.
Council member Jessica Murphy questioned whether current buildings on that street would need to be addressed and handled prior to the project starting.
Micka will take the feedback discussed and updates will be presented at the next meeting.
Council member Mack Greene motioned to approve the revisions with alternate1 and alternate2 suggesting the city move forward with an additional manhole for sewer improvements, and council member Mike Wik seconded the motion.
The council unanimously agreed on that approach.

Dead Trees
City Administrator Brent Wise discussed options for removing a growing number of dead trees across the city right of way, Loch Ayr, and Judge Lewis Park.
On a single lot at Loch Ayr Lake, there were 13 dead trees, and there were two more on a neighboring lot.
There are 16 dead trees at Judge Lewis park, but the city crew can likely handle 5 of those.
There were two trees still on the list from the last round of removals, and three more have been brought to the city’s attention because of sidewalk damage.
“I know that there’s two trees right down here that’s not on this list that are dead or 90% dead, so we are, you know, over 30 trees, and our contract is $700 a tree,” stated Wise.
Wise estimated the total cost to be roughly $21,000, however, there is only $15,000 budgeted.
“So we can add dollars on a road use tax, we’ve got funds in road use tax to do things like trees if we so needed to,” suggested Wise.
He plans to prepare information for the next meeting to give the council options.

Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
El Vaquero Class C Retail Alcohol License Renewal
Rayr, LLC Class B Retail Alcohol License Renewal
Casey’s Class E Retail Alcohol License Renewal
Dollar General Retail Tobacco/ Cigarettes permit
Setting a public hearing for July 1at 6:00 p.m. to establish an Urban Renewal Area TIF District
Appointed Scott Poore to the Zoning and Planning Commission, with Chandra Poore abstaining.
A resolution providing for the issuance of $2,000,000 General Obligation Swimming Pool Bonds, Series 2024B and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same
Adding new City Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Niccole Swank to bank accounts at USbank.
Brent Wise who will be dual position City Administrator/City Clerk to accounts at USBank
Adding Credit Card for Deputy Clerk Niccole Swank replacing closed card Amanda Cannon had.
The second reading of the proposed Rental Housing Ordinance. Wise noted there will be more discussion on setting the actual fee schedule at next meeting.  Dennis Dugan, who is overseeing aspects of this ordinance, noted a housing board will also need to be created once the ordinance is in effect.
Approved Resolution 2024853 to transfer funds for General Obligation Bonds.

Administrator Update
Administrator Wise updated the council on curb and gutter replacement.
The city has $15,000 in the budget, but Wise isn’t sure that would cover all of the repairs noted around town.
Wise also noted a budget amendment would need to be made in the near future, because the city received a $240,000 check from the insurance company to cover hail damage to 21 roofs.