Published in the Citizen Herald April 9, 2008
By Deb Holt
The Jesup City Council conducted four public hearings at its regular council meeting on April 1.
The first was a rezoning request from Bob and Kathleen Strauel. They asked to rezone property in the Orchard subdivision from R-2 to R-3 in order to build condominiums.
The Council approved the request, and waived the second and third readings accepting its final adoption.
The second rezoning request was from Jerry and Don Bloes, owners of B&B Farm Store. They asked to rezone property from M-1 to M-2 in order to expand their present mill.
The Council approved the request, again waiving the second and third readings and accepting final adoption.
ECIC asked for a Zoning text change, which added the words “grain elevator” as a special exemption in an M-1 district.
Council granted the request and waived the second and third readings for final adoption.
The last hearing was a disposal of interest in real property. Buchanan County will widen Hwy. 939 from Independence to Jesup within the next two years. They require a 10-ft. easement in front of the dump in order to widen the road.
The council passed the resolution.
Proclamations
Mayor Jake Spiegel proclaimed April 13-19 as National Library Week.
Councilman Rich Schaefer asked Jesup Librarian Cindy Lellig if the Iowa legislature had made a firm decision about cutting Library funding in the upcoming year’s budget.
Lellig reported that at this time, the decision is too close to call, and that it is not too late to contact legislators. Budget cuts at the state level will affect services here at the Jesup Public Library, specifically Inter-Library Loan and Enrich Iowa funds.
The Council directed City Clerk Linda Bunnell to write a letter to legislators protesting the budget cuts, so that all Council members can sign it.
Lellig also reported that circulation and patrons were both high, with 2,141 items checked out and 1,576 people served in March.
The Mayor also proclaimed April 25 as Arbor Day in Jesup.
Reserve officers
Three reserve police officers were approved by the Council, and sworn in following the meeting. They are Mike Foland, Christopher Cass and Drake Mangrich.
Fire Dept.
Fire Chief Scott Schabacker reported that Fertilizer Dealer Supply has installed the light kit on one of the generator trailers.
The generators were obtained through FEMA at cost of transport late last year.
The trailer still needs a platform on the end to house controls. Because the generator itself weighs 8,500 pounds, not counting the weight of the trailer, a decision will need to be made about which vehicle will pull it.
Schabacker also reported he is looking into starting a Junior Firefighter Explorer Program. He said there is a junior in high school who is very interested in the Fire Department.
The Council agreed this would be a beneficial program and possibly a source of new volunteer firefighters.
Stage
Farmers Day President Alan Wright spoke with the council about building a permanent stage inside the pavilion in the Land O’Corn Park.
For many years, Spahn & Rose Lumber has donated and delivered the lumber to build the stage. It is then dismantled after Farmers Day.
The permanent stage would allow more summertime entertainment in Jesup.
The Council approved the quotes for the permanent stage from Spahn & Rose Lumber and Iowa Wall Sawing, upon the recommendation of the Park Committee which will meet April 7.
The money to build the stage will come from the Park Department in the 2008-09 budget.
Young Street Project
Council members approved an additional Engineering Agreement with Earth Tech for the Young Street Sidewalk and Lighting Project’s final plans.
They also approved a resolution to order bids, plans, specifications and contract for the project.
Recycling Center
Gil Marsh of the street department reported that the public continues to drop off non-recyclable items at the Recycling Center. Last week, computer monitors, broken boards, sheet rock and other building materials were left near the dumpsters.
The City has to pay to have these items sent to a landfill.
The Council asked the police department to check into mounting cameras at the Recycling Center, in order to monitor who is dropping off these items.
Also, the street sweeper will be out soon to clean the large amount of sand from the streets due to the bad winter.
South Street Culvert
The City Engineer presented a summary of what has happened with the South Street Culvert Project during the past month.
The soil condition report indicated rock material on the inlet side of the culvert project, and concrete debris beneath Birdnow parking lot. Rock excavation could add $25,000 to $30,000 to the project.
Also, Mark Birdnow has concerns on how his business will be accessed by customers and employees during the construction period. Part of the job specification will be that South Street cannot be closed for more than 10 days, with an established detour taking motorists south of town, then north again.
Councilman Quackenbush reported that the $300,000 grant from the State Transportation Program for the South Street Culvert Project looks good and that a council person will need to attend the yearly meeting each year in order to secure the funds.
The Council approved a resolution ordering bids, approving plans, specifications and contract for the South Street Culvert when all easements are obtained.
Railroad Crossings
Chris Even reported he took about 100 different pictures of the railroad crossings in Jesup, as the mayor had requested at the last Council meeting.
Mayor Spiegel said that John Pieters, Jr. had arranged for a railroad inspector to be in Jesup on April 10. He asked that all city employees be on hand that day.
City Hall update
Upon recommendation of the Jesup Citizens City Hall Committee, the Council approved a preliminary feasibility contract with Gardner Architecture for the new city hall building.
The next regular City Council meeting will be Tuesday, May 6, in the Jesup Public Library Community Room. This meeting is open to the public.
In other business, the council …
• learned that Gene Anhalt agreed to stay on the Planning & Zoning Commission, and that another member is still needed to take Steve Schmit’s place.
• John Powers, city building inspector, will be job shadowing an electrical inspector soon.
• approved an ordinance adopting the building code which brings the city up to the new 2006 codes.
• approved Anstoetter Construction for a valve replacement project for the water department.
• set a Finance Committee meeting for Tuesday, April 15, at 7 PM at City Hall to discuss employee raises.
• approved INRCOG’s assistance for the Comprehensive Plan Update.
• approved a subordination agreement for Nicholas and Nichole Morrissey, who wish to refinance their home. Their five-year contract is up in August.
• and, announced that there will be a recording on CD available at City Hall of all Council meetings, in addition to the regularly published minutes, for anyone who wishes to use them. |
