The Pella City Council had three public hearings and several resolutions to consider at its regular meeting Tuesday.
The council rejected bids for Fiber Transport West improvements to Indianola due to an issue with a lack of a mandatory bond/security, and will instead go back out to contractors with a different contract package. The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to consider a zoning code amendment for residential parking in the Central Business District, and a moratorium for new residential buildings along the Oskaloosa Street Corridor to allow time for a development plan to be established and for necessary zoning changes. Second readings for both will be held September 20th.
Resolutions on the agenda also approved included:
– Amendment to the reimbursement agreement between the City of Pella and Spirit of Pella non-profit organization for enhanced holiday decorations
– A contract with Wright Outdoor Solutions for holiday decorations downtown
– A contract with Janssen Custom Fabrication for a 60-foot lighted tunnel in Central Park
– An agreement with Ahlers and Cooney for bond legal counsel
– Schedule a hearing for a meeting to authorize a loan agreement for $1.6 million in general obligation loan notes, and another for $2.2 million
Extensive public comment was made after action items, mainly in regard to the upcoming Pella Local Option Sales and Service tax referendum on September 13th. A report, including Mayor Don DeWaard’s response, can be heard on Thursday’s local news and found here under Today’s Local News.
The Pella Civil Service Commission certified three candidates for potential new police officers:
– Mya Irlmeier of Manning, Iowa
– Shawn Mason of Oskaloosa, Iowa
– Jacob Mikluscak of Uniontown, Pennsylvania
During Policy and Planning following regular business, the Pella City Council discussed repairs to the Bos Landen Conference Center. The council is weighing options as it relates how to spend an insurance reimbursement and what type of work is covered, and further action will be held at a later meeting.