Also moves forward with $1.7M general obligation bond, pickleball courts, single stream recycling
The Jefferson city council at its May 14 regular meeting approved up to $15,000 for the carnival at the Bell Tower Festival. The carnival company will be the same as the past two years – Gotcha Games of Collins, IA. Cost will be $15,776.
Bell Tower Festival steering committee chair Phil Heisterkamp told the council he sees the festival as “a beacon for Jefferson that we are not fading off the map…I see it as a beacon of the quality of life we have here. I think it’s one of the best ways to bring tourists and tourism to Jefferson and the whole county. It has the potential to be huge.”
He said the goal is to make “a little more” than what is spent on the festival. He projects the cost of the festival at $54,000. The steering committee hopes to bank some money each year to continue growing a festival “that rivals any weekend event in the entire state of Iowa.”
Heisterkamp said that barring rain, the city’s financial support will significantly improve the chances of the festival showing a profit for the year.
The council then approved a resolution authorizing “continuing support” of the festival, agreeing to support it both financially and philosophically. The mayor, city administrator, and city clerk are authorized and directed to take such further action as may be necessary to carry out that support.
The council approved a resolution providing for the issuance of $1.7 million in general obligation bonds through JPMorgan Chase Bank of Chicago, IL. UMB Bank of West Des Moines will be the paying agent for the bond. The funds will cover the cost of improvements on E. Lincoln Way and the purchase of a recycling truck and a second automated side loader garbage truck.
The closing date for the bond is set for May 28. Interest on the bond is 4.38 percent per annum. The bond is scheduled for 10-year repayment, but the city can pay it off early without penalty.
The council set May 28 as the date for a public hearing on the plans and specifications, form of contract and estimate of costs for a pair of pickleball courts at Russell Park. City engineer Jim Leiding of Bolton & Menk estimates cost at $181,000 for the courts and associated work, and another $25,000 for lighting. The cost is slightly less than originally estimated.
If all goes as planned, bids will be let June 4 and will be considered at the June 11 regular council meeting. Construction could begin as early as mid-July, with substantial completion by mid-October.
The council approved an agreement with Metro Waste Authority for processing and marketing recyclable material from the city of Jefferson.
Under the agreement, recyclable materials include newspapers, corrugated cardboard and Kraft bags, telephone books, magazines, catalogues, junk mail, office paper, chipboard, and paper board; bimetal, ferrous and aluminum food and beverage containers; plastic containers #1 and #2 (with screw tops) and margarine and yogurt containers (#5); empty aerosol cans; gable top and aseptic cartons; and other materials that may be added in the future.
The city will pay Metro Waste Authority $85 per ton of all material entering the recycling facility.
The council also approved an amendment to the grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the proposed housing project at the former Greene County Middle School at 203 W. Harrison St. The amendment specifies that the project cannot be used as a short-term rental of fewer than six months or as other commercial property.
The council’s last agenda item was an administrative hearing regarding a dog that had been deemed “illegal” after a dog bite incident involving a mail carrier May 9 in the 400 block of E. McKinley St. An illegal animal must leave the city.
Jeff and Paula Paris, owners of Adolpho, an 18-month-old Australian cattle dog (also called a red heeler), explained he is a “good dog.” According to Paula, he listens and understands commands, he doesn’t leave the yard, and he isn’t a runner.
She said Adolpho was in the house when the mail carrier left a package on the front porch. He ran to the door and jumped on the door handle, releasing the latch. He chased the mail carrier and bit her leg as she retreated to her mail truck. Adolpho returned home when she called him and went to his kennel as ordered.
The mail carrier was treated at the Greene County Medical Center ER for injuries to her leg.
Jeff Paris said the breed herds instinctively by nipping at the ankles of cattle and sheep, and he thinks Adolpho was trying to herd the mail carrier, not injure her.
The Parises proposed 1) that Adolpho would be allowed in the back yard of their home only when supervised; 2) that they would fence in the fourth side of their yard to give him more room to run; 3) that they would have him castrated, which, according to veterinarians, will decrease his high energy; 4) that they obtain expert obedience training; and 5) that they would rent a post office box and end all mail delivery to their home.
Council member Chad Sloan asked if the Parises would cover medical and other costs related to the mail carrier’s injuries. He said he has had employees bitten by dogs, and medical bills and time away from work can add up. Jeff Paris said he would be willing to negotiate the emergency room bill if necessary.
At the close of the hearing the council agreed to change Adolpho’s designation from “illegal” to “vicious”. A vicious dog may remain in the community but it must be confined, muzzled when not confined, and there must be signage on the property alerting the public about the dog. The owner must also have at least $100,000 per occurrence in liability coverage on the animal.
