While the main focus of tonight’s Pella City Council meeting will be on the long term facilities plan and proposed indoor recreation center, a few action items of interest are also on the agenda.

The council will hold a public hearing to review bids for Monroe Street improvements, which will cost an estimated $175,000 to upgrade the gravel surface to pavement, and should start late this spring, assuming approval of a contract.

A resolution under consideration would also adopt the Architectural Design Guidelines – 4th Edition, a document developed by SHYFT Collective with guidance from the Community Development Committee and City of Pella Planning and Zoning Department to update the manual to reflect growth and district needs in the community.

During policy and planning, the council will discuss a request from Pella Historical Museums to replace the outdoor speaker system in the Central Business District. The total cost of the system is $269,305, which includes equipment, support, shipping fees, and labor for pulling the new cable through existing conduit. Pella Historical initially submitted a proposal to fund $114,653 of the project with the city providing the remaining $154,652. Due to delays in the budgeting process for the City of Pella related to the Iowa Legislature, the non-profit organization is asking to proceed with the project at their own risk — although city administration is planning to include the funding request during the budget work sessions to be held at the end of March.

Additionally, extensive review of the Pella Rec Center project is expected with several updates relating to funding and schematic design scheduled.
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The Pella City Council meeting begins at 6:00 this evening in the Pella Public Safety Complex, and can be heard online here.