By JEFF SNYDER
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Unusual weather continues to present problems for the City of Mount Ayr as exaggerated fall rains have continued the onslaught of the city’s infrastructure. The city has already put into place a detailed plan to update the storm water drainage systems and in fact are under way with a number of these projects already.
Much higher than normal rain falls throughout the mid summer and now into the fall have accelerated the need for the city to address these issues. Budgets have been set, bids have been sent out and winning contractors are already undertaking repairs at select sites throughout the city to address the most needed repairs.
One thing the city can’t do is predict the weather. Unseasonable rains have exacerbated the weaknesses in the existing infrastructure which has been in place in some spots around the city for over 100 years. Even updates to the city’s sewer treatment facilities are approaching 20 years old.
“Repairs don’t last forever,” City Administrator Brent Wise said.
The city is in constant contact with the state to work out solutions to modernize the infrastructure while coming up with solutions to the financial hurdles the city must overcome in order for the total repairs to be completed.
In other council business the city was considering a final proposal from its health insurance carrier, brokered by Farm Bureau Insurance, represented by Julie Davison. The council listened to the proposal which spelled out the premiums and plan selections that the city employees have to choose from with council approval. The city covers 100 percent of the employees premium and 70 percent of the family costs. Two Wellmark programs were under consideration with an HMO option and a PPO (Preferred provider organization) option as well. With the rates having been established at the last council meeting, it just remained to be seen which plan options would be chosen by the council and its employees. Farm Bureau had already had one-on-one meetings with city employees along with city officials to discuss the options they have.
After deliberations, the consensus plans were chosen by council. These changes needed to be in place by the next payroll scheduled for the first part of December.
In other house keeping items the council approved an annual “One time seasonal pay adjustment” for city employees of $200. A renewal of the Gold Mine Bar alcohol permit was also approved. The city also canceled its regular meeting on November 23 due to scheduling conflicts with the city and its representatives.
A special session of council will be held November 16, as primarily a “work session” where council members will be able to discuss upcoming city council issues including the Judge Lewis Park budgets, the downtown square project, utility rates and the disposition of the water tower improvements needed in the future. Another issue to be discussed is a possible “closed door” session regarding a gift being proposed to the city of a property/lot located at 805 E. Adams St. While the city has historically welcomed these gifts as an advancement to its plan for expansion of development programs, it is imperative that city attorneys review land transfers and the potential legal landmines these gifts and land transfers can sometimes contain.
This is a working session and no council business would be concluded or implemented as a result of this session. Complex issues need ample time to consider before rolling them out in a formal council setting. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be announced when set.
