By Mari Radtke
Reid McClaren and David Kenney asked permission to use the football field for a Flag Football league. They have all the equipment but also asked to paint the lines on the field. Specific start stop dates have not been set yet. Thinking the league will last through the summer. Waivers to relieve the city of all liability will be signed for all participants. Age groups begin at 16 and move up. The concept is to be a family oriented event. The group will do the maintenance on the field. They plan to play in the afternoon so lights will not be needed. A portable scoreboard will be used if the control board can’t be found for the fixed scoreboard.
Jim Johnson, a member of Sutherland Economic Development, spoke during the public forum and addressed the use of the Williams’ property that was donated to build housing. He said that he wasn’t speaking other than from his own personal opinion. He reiterated that the property was donated to the city for the expressed purpose of building housing. He wants to be sure that gifts to the city be used as intended.
Economic Development is looking at a sewer project on East Washington Street in the Industrial Park and plotting the football field for housing.
Dorsey & Whitney, the attorneys used for TIF projects. Sutherland still has a high amount of certified TIF dollars but will be paid off in June 2021.
Confusion about the city’s TIF debt/availability was made more clear. City Clerk Amanda Vander Hof explained her discussion with John from Dorsey & Whitney. Starting with the city’s original TIF in 2006 at $1,731,152 the debt and payback ended with a debt balance of $344,976. John guessed, was not certain, but guessed that in 2012 the city took out TIF in the amount of $252,875. The old debt balance at that time is believed to have been refinanced so the $252,875 was certified twice. Moving forward under the impression of twice certified TIF debt several projects were discussed as an option to do in a single TIF in 2021. Combining the financing activity will save the city attorney fees for the second project, about $5000. The projects include the sewer line on East Washington, platting the football field, running fiber for telecom and several city blocks blacktopped. The total TIF with all projects is expected to be around $330,000, but that amount will be refined.
A discussion about cashing a CD that is scheduled to mature in a month to pay for new downtown benches before the CD rolls over automatically and redeposit unused funds. Council will address the issue again in May.
Sutherland Library report explained that visitors to the library are increasing with good weather. She also reported that a computer crashed and that the board is working with “Friends” to replace the computer.
Fireman’s BINGO is Thursday night and lots of nice prizes are available. The funds raised will go to EMT medical bags. They have 10 bags with medical supplies and pulse oximeters. The items will be carried in EMT personal vehicles so interventions can begin before the ambulance arrives. Firemen are also submitting a grant for a remote control nozzle to O’Brien County Foundation. The city is providing a letter of support.
EMA and firemen are discussing the possibility of a burn ban.
Mayor Kay Gifford reported that she has two police candidates interested but is waiting for paperwork. She also expressed appreciation to the sheriff’s office for the stepped up patrol. She also cautioned residents to watch their speed as they go through town. Several options to alert drivers to their speed were discussed.
Audit recommendations:
Segregation of duties with money from opening mail to bank deposits.
Bank reconciliations were not reviewed by an independent person and need to be initialled.
Both sides of cancelled checks need to be provided.
Income by Fund statement in financial reports to council needs an offsetting disbursements reports.
Some unclaimed funds need to be turned over to “Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.”
The Auditor said that the certified TIF funds that are not owed should with be decertified or reused.
Suggested guidance for sales of lots for the Williams’ property were discussed. The council accepts setting the sales price at $2500 per lot and requiring a basement in each home built. The basement requirement garnered discussion versus a slab foundation. The land is wet so a slab foundation was approved. Council discussed the building time frame and material shortages were discussed.
The budget amendment public hearing is set for Monday May 3, 2021 at 7:00pm.
Park board is considering removing the large, metal winding slide, pending council approval. They are also looking at how to improve the concrete at the skatepark. Several pieces are required to make the project successful. A full plan is in preparation currently. The park shelter house will also get improvements, but the cost of construction materials rising is expected to slow some of the project. May 1 is the Park cleanup day.
Cleanup day in Sutherland is April 24. Item costs for white goods, tires, etc are available by calling city hall. Council advises pick up begins at 8:00am. Household and hazardous materials trailer will be held later in summer or fall.