Mount Ayr prepares to celebrate 150 years as a community
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By Jennifer Kellner
The Mount Ayr City Council approved matching funds for a tornado siren grant application, a SAM GIS mapping plan and considered tree removal options at their regular meeting Monday, September 8.
Closed session
The first item on the regular business agenda was a closed session “to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.”
After seeing there was no one in attendance for the public forum, the council voted to go into closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(C). No action was taken by the council upon returning to open session at 6:18 p.m.
Tornado siren grant
Administrator Brent Wise shared that EMA/911 Coordinator, Melissia Stark, has been working with Jeremy Rounds at SICOG on a grant to provide an additional tornado siren to provide coverage of Liberty Lake.
The grant requires a 15% match, which was estimated to be $5,500. Wise asked the council if they wanted the city to be included in the grant.
Council members unanimously agreed to approve providing 15% in matching funds to proceed with the grant application.
SAM GIS mapping
At the August 11 council meeting, Dustin Henggeler with SAM, presented a proposal to provide managed geospatial services to The City of Mount Ayr. Henggeler returned for the September 8 meeting, and clarified they could phase the project to make use of currently budgeted funds, and pay for the remaining part of the project work in the next fiscal year.
The council discussed the benefits of having precise mapping data for sewer, stormwater and water utilities at the August meeting, but did not take any action at that time.
On Monday, council members voted to move forward with SAM GIS mapping services, and using $51,000 in combined water, road use tax and stormwater funds to pay for the work. They plan to pay for the remaining balance in the next fiscal year, and asked Henggeler to draw up an agreement.
Dead, diseased or dying trees
A recent report showed there are far more dead, diseased or actively dying trees than the city is prepared to contend with. According to a tally compiled by driving through town and recording lots with dead trees, there are a total of 122 trees within city limits that need to be cut down.
Of that total, 28 of those trees are in the city right of way, and roughly 94 trees would be the responsibility of individual property owners.
Additionally, Wise estimates there are more than 100 dead, diseased or dying trees at Loch Ayr Lake. While most are on the 61 rental lots surrounding the lake, roughly 20 or more are on the north end of the lake.
Wise suggested using approximately $50,000 in Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds, along with $5,000 left in the budget for trees.
Council members wrestled with how to approach the growing number of trees that will need to come down, and whether or not to proceed with a budget amendment.
While no formal action was taken, council member Matt Henle suggested talking with Wright Tree Service to see if it would be possible to switch out the Loch Ayr trees for the trees in town approved at the last council meeting.
Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
The July and August treasurers reports, which Administrator Wise noted were delinquent due to an error on his end that he is working on getting cleaned up;
A $1,000 donation to the Ringgold Outdoor Alliance (ROA) to go towards repainting the Peggy Whitson memorial rock;
Donating two family pool passes to the ROA for an upcoming fundraising event.
Administrator Update
Administrator Wise reported that the airport hangar doors had been installed, and the project is done.
“I think they look fantastic,” Wise said, while also noting that the framing cost went up due to unforseen challenges.
Wise shared that the GWORKS software transition took place on Friday, August 29, but they have experienced some bugs in the system.
Assistant City Administrator Brandy Anderson shared that “the bug” primarily affected the city’s ability to run checks and pay bills. They have notified GWORKS of the issue and system engineers are working on resolving the problems.
Wise also gave an update on Grimes Asphalt and Paving returning to finish the street projects. He expects to see them back in town yet this week.
Council members asked when street closures would begin in preparation for the sesquicentennial celebration.
Wise share that city crew members were planning to start the process on September 16 and 17. Streets would fully close on Friday, September 19 to prepare for evening events.
Wise noted they don’t have enough man power do everything themselves, and will be looking for help moving bleachers in, picnic tables and other items.
Council members also discussed how to handle a request to water the grass that had been seeded on Monroe Street. Wise suggested connecting a water meter to a garden hose to monitor the amount of water use. Council members gave approval to move ahead with that plan.
Steve Fetty reminded the council of the upcoming city election.
“My name will not be on the ballot,” Fetty said.
The deadline for candidates to submit paperwork to run in the election is Thursday, September 18.
