City to clear abandoned lots
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
The Mount Ayr city council approved the demolition or removal of three properties, hired a seasonal pool manager and learned the aquatic center will open May 23 at their regular meeting Wednesday, April 16. The council also held a public hearing for the FY26 proposed budget. With no one in attendance, the hearing was closed after five minutes.
Nuisance Property Progress
City Administrator Brent Wise presented legal documents from Lamson Dugan & Murray (LDM) related to selling a property located at 112 1/2 E Madison Street. A private individual has expressed interest in obtaining the building to rehabilitate it with a business space on the main level and an apartment above.
Poore motioned to move forward with the selling process for 112 1⁄2 East Madison Street, Murphy seconded the motion, and the council unanimously agreed.
After reviewing legal documents from LDM pertaining to the abatement procedure, the council also approved going out to bid for demolition/removal of three dwellings on lots the city has obtained. Demolition or removal is impending for 806 E Adams Street, 104 N Webster Street and 503 W Monroe Street. All three homeowners are deceased.
One of three lots that the City of Mount Ayr has identified for demolition and/or clearing located at 806 E Adams street, just west of the Mount Ayr High School/Middle School parking lot.
Wise also reported that the planning and zoning commission recommended the council go through the process of rezoning a vacant lot that Pete and Amy Shields would like to donate to the city. Presently, the lot between the Catholic Church and the Free Methodist church is zoned residential, and rezoning to a commercial classification would allow a business to operate there.
Seasonal and Summer Staff
The council approved Resolution 2025-12 hiring temporary part-time and seasonal staff, naming Cassie Still as the 2025 season pool manager. Blair Glendenning was hired to provide water safety instruction for the 2025 season.
Tucker Knox was also hired for temporary seasonal park maintenance/recreation to mow and prep ball fields.
Permission was also granted to council personnel liaisons Chandra Poore and Jessica Murphy along with Cassie Still to approve hiring lifeguards prior to the next council meeting. The council plans to act by resolution at the May 21 regular meeting, officially approving additional seasonal hires.
Training for two Certified Pool Operators (CPO) has been completed by Korbin Swank and Jesse Ruby and both of them have been certified. The council voted to give them each a 50 cent hourly wage increase.
Aquatic Center Opening
Administrator Wise reported that painting of the pool has been finished, and they plan to start filling the pool with water around April 27.
Wise has met with Bob Malcom about setting up the sound system.
Grass seeding is the only outstanding item left to be taken care of. Wise reported that Carrothers Construction Company is willing to credit the city $5,500 to hire a local contractor directly rather than seed the disturbed dirt themselves. The council chose not to approve a quote from Lincoln‘s Lawn Care to place sod, seeding and/or straw erosion blanket for more than double the cost, and instead authorized Wise to re-contract the work up to $5,500.
Training for pump room operation is scheduled for May 6.
A ribbon cutting and first dive celebration is planned for Saturday, May 17 at 5 p.m.
Opening day for the public has been set for May 23, after school is released for the year.
Tabled Topics
Two topics were tabled to allow council members more time to review additional information.
After a lengthy discussion about different strategies that could be used to fund upcoming projects, the council tabled amending the garbage, water, sewer, and storm water ordinances.
The council also heard about a long list of potential street projects, and tabled setting priorities until their May meeting.
Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
- A waste management amendment to the service agreement for recycling roll off hauling, increasing the haul rate per box, removing a requirement for the city to pay for 85 tons/year, saving the city roughly $1,600 a year;
- Little league refunds for four families who made changes after registering their children.
- Resolution 2025-11 naming bank depositories;
- Friedrich chicken renewal permit.
Administrator Update
Wise updated the council about a legal situation that has come about after city crew members accidentally crunched a gas line that was unmarked last year.
Vanguard had marked the area “ok” so no one was aware that the gas line was there.
Alliant Energy was called to shut off the line, and they sent a $1,600 invoice to the city. The city then received a letter indicating the city was not at fault, so the invoice was not paid. Wise has contacted their attorney for further direction in the matter.
Additionally, Wise reported on insurance coverage questions he has received from vendors who are interested in taking part in the Sesquicentennial event, and reported adequate power is available around the square.
