The Jefferson city council is continuing its effort to reduce the number of derelict buildings. At its regular meeting May 24 the council approved a resolution to purchase the 1920 home at 307 N. Wilson Ave from John Copeland. The building had been converted into five apartments with a total living space of more than 4,000 square-feet.
Copeland purchased the building in 2008 for $93,000. It has been vacant for several years and has fallen into disrepair. Copeland sold it to the city for $5,000, with $2,286 of that amount going to past due property taxes. The city plans to raze the building and then sell the lot to a developer.
According to building and zoning officer Chad Stevens, zoning will allow for a duplex.
The cost of the building is coming from funds donated to the city by a private citizen for the purpose of purchasing and demolishing buildings that are beyond repair.
The council held a public hearing and then approved an amendment to the current year budget that shows revenues increased from $8,259,695 to $9,054,962, and expenses increased from $10,298,153 to $11,225,621. The ending fund balance is changed from $9,773,263 to $9,641,062. City treasurer Sarah Morlan explained the larger increases in revenue are from the Local Option Sales & Service tax (LOSST) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The larger changes in expenditures are in debt service, with the city paying an additional $504,000 interest on bonds, and public works expenses.
The council appointed Adam Pedersen and Tom Yepsen to six-year terms on the Jefferson public library board of trustees. The terms of Jane Martino and Mike Peipel are expiring.
The council also approved a resolution to submit a grant application to the Iowa Department of Transportation for $979,500 for work on the hangar and a 12,000-gallon jet fuel tank at the municipal airport; approved the purchase of a Jacobsen GP400 greens mower at a cost of $37,495 for the golf course; and approved the purchase of a John Deere ZTak mower at a cost of $13,700. The John Deere mower is not being purchased for use at the golf course.
Mayor pro tem Pat Zmolek led the meeting in the absence of mayor Matt Gordon. Gordon also was absent from the May 10 meeting.
