City continuing RCDC partnership
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Mount Ayr city council members voted to continue support of RCDC financial partnership at their regular meeting on Monday, July 28.
Public forum
Several people were in attendance to address the council during the public forum.
Randy Taylor was present to clarify that the County Board of Supervisors have not made a cost sharing request related to the resurfacing of the county road leading to Loch Ayr Lake.
Taylor noted that his understanding was the request was coming from the Sportsman Club, and that a member of that organization talked to council members.
Nicole McGinnis, Justin Akers and Brandi Shay were present as representatives from Ringgold County Development Corporation (RCDC). Shay addressed the council, to request a $12,000 financial contribution towards operational expenses.
“It’s been a good partnership in the past,” stated Shay, “we would like to continue that.”
RCDC contribution
The council had previously canceled each other out at the council meeting on July 14, with two members voting in favor of continuing the partnership, and two voting “no” to financial support. Jessica Murphy was absent from that meeting.
The request came before the council again at Monday’s meeting, with three RCDC members present to make the request in person.
Council member Matt Henle asked for some insight regarding the RCDC collaboration.
“Can you show us this year’s plans for the money,” asked Henle, “What it will be used for?”
While most RCDC small business projects are private until they publicly launch, it was noted that a lot of projects are on the way.
City Administrator Brent Wise noted they do have funds budgeted.
“In the past, we’ve done $12,000 and when we were doing the budget, due to budget restrictions, we lowered it down to $7,000,” said Wise, “and just so everyone is clear, we do have $12,000 in economic development in the big pot.”
Mayor Steve Fetty questioned how many other cities or organizations are providing funds.
“Who else [cities or county]is providing any money,” asked Fetty.”
“We do not have any at this time,” stated Shay.
“We have individual donors,” said Nicole McGinnis. “So, right now, we are at about $7,000 in individual donations.”
“I think we were all kind of in agreement that we just wanted to know where this money was going to go, besides just being written to your organization,” said Murphy. “I think you answered it.”
Council member Chandra Poore put forward a motion to provide $7,000 to RCDC as budgeted, and the council unanimously agreed.
Food trucks
The council discussed whether there needs to be some form of regulation for food trucks. While there is not currently an ordinance, venders are typically not allowed to park on public property unless it is for a special event like Ayr Days.
With a number of food vendors now operating in the area, there have been some concerns brought forward. Generally, food vendors need to have a current restaurant license and an IA sales tax permit publicly displayed.
Council member Chandra Poore mentioned that Creston has implemented some sort of policy and she would like to see an option like that explored.
Other council members agreed that the city should look into policies or ordinances that other towns have.
Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
Resolution 2025 -24 setting a public hearing on August 11 at 6 p.m.;
The second reading of the adjusted water rates in the Water Ordinance;
The second reading of the adjusted sewer rates in the Sewer Ordinance;
The third reading of the rate adjustment in the Garbage Ordinance;
A reimbursement of $250 as outlined in the sidewalk ordinance, in response to a resident request;
A formal agreement with Garden and Associates for sewer repair;
A chicken permit renewal for the Bencomo residence, pending inspection for no more than five chickens.
Additionally, the council tabled any decision on sharing the cost to resurface the county road to Loch Ayr Lake as no one was present to make the request of the council.
Administrator Update
Wise shared that a couple public meetings with landlords were held, and he thought they went well.
Wise also reported that he had been approached about a potential grant opportunity for Loch Ayr Lake.
Additionally, Wise shared that the transition to a new G-works system has been challenging since they ran into differences in the cash report. They are unable to move forward until the cash report is balanced.
