Approves contract for new hangar at the airport
Work to improve the historic look of downtown Jefferson continues with the city council’s approval of three forgivable loans for building renovations around the courthouse square.
At the regular April 25 meeting, the council approved a loan of $150,000 for Corner View Properties at 100 and 102 N. Wilson Ave; a loan of $80,000 for the VFW post at 109 N. Chestnut St; and a loan of $75,000 for Meythaler Photography at 122 E. State St.
Nikki Uebel, owner of Corner View Properties, told the council that her building is one of two downtown buildings not included in the historic district designation. The façade work she plans to do, which uses a plan developed by Main Street Iowa staff, will make the building eligible for the designation.
She said she has done several interior building improvements including basement water issues and replacing the HVAC system.
The façade on the VFW post will be similar to the buildings to the south, now Heritage Insurance and Greater Life Chiropractic.
The project at Meythaler Photography includes repair of the parapet and a new roof.
The city’s urban renewal plan allows the council to provide incentives totaling up to $600,000 per year for buildings in the urban renewal district from tax increment financing. The terms of the loans are not yet inked, but the period for full loan forgiveness may be as long as 10 years. Building/zoning officer Chad Stevens said the city funding the renovations leaves building owners with “not much skin in the game,” but with the forgivable loan “their (the business owners) contribution is their commitment to be there for 10 years.”
In another economic development move, the council held the required public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of costs for a 100 X 100-foot box hangar at the Jefferson municipal airport.
After the public hearing, at which no one spoke, the council approved a bid from Jensen Builders of Fort Dodge was awarded the bid for the project.
The engineer’s estimated of probable cost for the base bid was $1,490,000, with three alternates bringing total cost to $1,539,530. Jensen Builders’ base bid was $1,190,028, with a total of $1,290,478. Jensen did not recommend using Alternate A, a hydraulic bi-fold door, as it would have required making the hangar taller than planned.
The council voted to accept Jensen’s base bid of $1,190,028 with Alternates B and C, which are additional concrete at the hangar site, pending receipt of a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Carl Byers of Bolton & Menk told the council Jensen Builders does more hangars than any other contractor in the state, and that he was “shocked at the estimates we got.”
The city has $900,000 in federal funds available for the project. If the IDOT funds are granted the city’s match will be less than $200,000. Byers explained that none of it will come from the general fund, as airports are able to generate revenue in a variety of ways.
According to Byers, the runway extension completed last year will allow twin engine planes and small jets to use the airport. Hangar space is the next step in attracting those aircraft, most of which are corporately owned, he said. Having jet fuel available would be the final amenity to add.
In other business, the council approved closing parking on Wilson on the west and State St on the north sides of the courthouse Friday, May 19, from 3 to 7 pm during registration for the Market to Market Relay. Two food trucks will also be allowed on State St.
The council approved hiring Jeanette Carhill as the second part-time custodian for the Greene County Animal Shelter. Council member Darren Jackson, a member of the animal shelter board, reported the board held its first meeting and discussed a fee schedule for charges incurred when a pet is lost and ends up at the shelter. The board also discussed what other towns in the county may be asked to contribute toward the expense when animals from those towns end up at the shelter. The county supervisors have agreed to pay an annual cost for animals deputies take to the shelter from rural addresses.
Council member Matt Wetrich reported a new slide and a climbing wall will be installed at the municipal pool this summer. Wetrich is on the park and recreation board.
Scott Peterson of Lake View, who was hired last week as Jefferson city administrator, attended the meeting. “On the 15th of June I’ll be ready to hit the ground running,” he said. “I like the way Jefferson city council meetings run. I’m really excited about this.”
