The Jefferson city council at its regular meeting July 13 approved a resolution in support of Nate Adams, doing business as 203 W. Harrison, LLC, submitting an application for workforce housing tax credits for his proposed $6 million project to repurpose the former middle school into apartments.
The resolution states that the city intends to provide economic development incentives of $300,000 to assist with the project.
According to Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer, the city funds come from façade matching grant funds approved by a council resolution passed in 2018.
Discussion of the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s Animal Protection and Control ordinance again was an opportunity for council member Matt Wetrich to promote putting feral cats up for adoption after they’re trapped and neutered. The ordinance requires caretakers of colonies of feral cats to assist with trap-neuter-return programs for the cats, and to register the colonies with the city.
Wetrich asked during discussion of the first reading two weeks ago that council members Darren Jackson or Dave Sloan, who serve on the council’s “cat committee,” reach out to the shelters in Ames and other places for help in placing stray cats. He asked early in the discussion at the July 13 meeting if that had been done. “I think this could be the time to look into ways we can up that effort, since we’re going to have animals ‘in hand’,” Wetrich said.
Jackson answered that he’s had no recent conversations about it, but that trying to adopt out cats is always “a good effort.”
Wetrich said he wants to be sure the council doesn’t forget about finding homes for cats once the amendment regarding feral cat colonies is approved.
The council approved the second reading, as well as the second reading of amendments to the city’s ordinance dealing with abandoned water connections and vacant properties, and to the ordinance dealing with decks, patios and porches on homes. The amendment to that ordinance will allow decks to be built on the front of homes as long as they meet certain criteria.
The council accepted a proposal for a feasibility study by Franks Design Group of expanding the public library. Total of the contract is $43,000, with $40,000 of that coming from city coffers and the remaining $3,000 coming from the library’s budget.
The council approved a motion accepting a $33,000 allocation from Grow Greene Gaming Corporation. The donation was presented at a festive evening event in April.
The council approved a resolution proposing the sale of property at 703 N. Wilson Ave and set the July 27 meeting as the date for a public hearing on the sale. James Ford wants to purchase the property at a cost of $2,500. The city will have the house on the property demolished before the lot is sold.
The council approved a change order for shared use paths constructed by Caliber Concrete LLC. The change order decreased the cost by $9,785 due to adjustments in the quantity of materials used. The original contract price for the project was $946,494; the final cost was $938,060. The council also approved final acceptance and certificate of completion for the project.
The council approved the city administrator’s contract for another year, with an increase in his annual salary from $104,800 to $109,000. There was no discussion on that agenda item.
During the reports portion of the meeting, Wetrich reported the municipal golf course is having a good season. According to golf course manager Micah Destival, overall usage is up “quite a bit,” to the highest numbers since the city took over the golf course in 2012. “Last year was really tough, but it’s rebounded nicely” in both daily usage and events. The building and the Rotary Room is also seeing good use.
