The Pella City Council held its first meeting of the new year.

A public hearing was held for an ordinance amending regulations pertaining to Highway 163 Monument Signage. The council discussed a request from Lely North America in October to construct an internally lit monument sign for their new corporate headquarters located southwest of Highway 163 at exit 44. The proposed sign is approximately 212 square feet, which exceeds limits established under the City Code. The ordinance was adopted, and the 2nd and 3rd readings were waived.

The council also approved the appointment of new Pella Fire Chief Randy Bogaard. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief and was previously Captain from 2010-2020, and has been with the Pella Fire Department since 1984. Current Chief Doug Van Gorkom is stepping down from the leadership role he has held since 2005 but will remain with the department.

The Pella City Council then held a review of the Pella Public Library’s collection and material review policy and discussed procedural rules for the council itself during Policy and Planning, with no formal action considered Tuesday for either.