The Jefferson city council will appoint someone to complete the term of Larry Teeples, who resigned earlier this month. The council decided at its March 26 meeting that mayor Craig Berry will recommend someone to the council for approval.
The council must post a notice of the intent to appoint at least four days but not more than 20 days before the appointment is made. The appointment must be made by May 4 according to the Code of Iowa. The plan is that it be an agenda item for the April 23 meeting.
The cost of holding a special election would be $4,500, city clerk Diane Kennedy said.
Council member Matt Gordon said he favors a special election because several people are interested in the position. “That would be the fairest way to go about it,” he said.
Council member Dave Sloan said he’d rather appoint a replacement because of the cost of a special election. Council members Matt Wetrich and Harry Ahrenholtz both mentioned that because there’s a regular election scheduled in November, anyone who is interested could run for the seat then.
The terms of Wetrich and Sloan and the mayor expire Dec. 31, 2019. Teeples’ term expires Dec. 31, 2021. Three council positions will be on the November ballot – those now held by Wetrich and Sloan, as well as the remaining two years of Teeples’ term.
A motion to have the mayor recommend and the council approve someone to fill the vacancy passed on a 3-1 vote, with Gordon voting no.
Mayor Berry requests residents who are interested in the position to submit a letter directly to him or at city hall explaining why he or she is the best candidate to fill the position and listing any past involvements in elected and/or government positions.
Voters can request a special election by filing a petition within 14 days after the appointment is made. The petition would need fewer than 30 signatures, based on voter turnout in the 2017 city election.
In other business, the council approved a contract with Bolton and Menk for professional services in the second phase of relocating 243rd St for the lengthening of the airport runway. The $83,000 contract includes bid and grant administration, construction management and final inspection.
Engineer Jim Leiding expects the actual road construction to start in July or August and take 50 days.
Most of the runway expansion project is being paid for with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds.
The city council approved the purchase of a new cover for the municipal pool at a cost of $31,700. The cover will be paid for now with funds on hand, and the council approved a resolution to roll that expense into a future bond issue and “repay” the general fund. The council did the same for the purchase of a new pool liner late last year.
The council approved a recommendation from the cemetery committee to increase some charges at the city’s cemeteries. The charge for a regular grave opening (at the time of burial) is increasing from $500 to $575, and the cost of an inurnment (for cremations) is increasing from $200 to $250. The surcharge for burials on city holidays is increasing from $600 to $700. The new prices are effective July 1.
The rates were last changed four years ago. Cemetery committee member Ahrenholtz said the increases were made to be sure the city’s costs are covered.
