Opening comments from a Mike Hockey offered public comments that the arboretum is not cared for. His property is getting overgrowth from there. He offered to take it over if the owner will not keep it up. The arboretum is owned by the city and part of TIF. The owners have left debris behind. Councilman Patrick Nelson noted that he is familiar with the property, but there would be a lot of hoops to jump through to take it over. Nelson offered to come take a look. Council and neighbors will look more into the situation.
Gary Lange was in attendance asking about zoning regulations for keeping horses. Lange owns land at the east edge of Sutherland. He has sold some. He has divested his horses, but may want to get some again at a later date. He is concerned about any ordinances that may prohibit him from putting horses on his residence, which could support some horses. No one is able to verify with any document the ordinance, only verbally. Livestock can be kept within the city limits with written consent of the council. He was asked to come back to the September meeting giving council time to learn more.
Robert Mulder is asking to purchase 60 feet to the north of his property. His property sits at the corner of Birch Street and 1st Street. The city owns a strip to the north that may at some point in the future be developed into a street, alleyway or other traffic access. City Clerk Amanda Vander Hof interjected early in the conversation those findings. She explained that if economic developed did decide to sell in the future that the buyer would have to pay all costs including survey, abstract, title, publishing and any other costs associated with selling it. She said the cost is guessed currently at $2000.
Dani Rehder attended to share with the council she is planning to host a car seat safety and family fun night in partnership with O’Brien County Public Health. Public Health will be demonstrating a car seat safety demonstration and installation. Activity includes hot dogs, soft serve ice cream and inflatables. The event is scheduled for the fire station on September 13. The inflatables must be set up in a way that allow the fire trucks to exit if needed.
Sharon Flinders reported for Economic Development. The discussion focused on the Williams property where platting for a housing development is underway. Thor Klinker, City Clerk referred Vander Hof to Ahlers & Cooney about various kinds of residential tax benefits. Vander Hof gave an overview of how the program can be implemented and the limits.
During the library report it was noted that a separation between the library and “Friends” is still in place and that the board of trustees wants to bring the volunteers under a committee of the board. A transfer of funds donated to “Friends” for the benefit of the library needs to be transferred to complete the joining of an auxiliary with the Board of Trustees.
The fire department found a ladder truck for a little more money than the one in Connecticut. The first truck had title trouble and, the last straw was it did not pass inspection. The new truck, a 2004, will come from Canada and will be picked up at Detroit. The cost of the truck is $90,000 and includes all import and transportation costs. The purchase will require a budget amendment. A special meeting date, August 15, was set to set the date for a public hearing to amend the budget.
Changes to Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) are causing some backlog to the Sutherland Police Department. Smaller communities throughout Iowa have not used strong security measures in recent months prompting authorization recommendations and requirements for use of confidential databases. Adam McQueen, Sutherland Police Officer reported that the effects of the changes are getting worked out.
Road closures for Labor Day festivities were approved for street dances, burn out contest, car show and the parade. Council approved.
The golf cart and ATV ordinance for the City of Sutherland was amended to reflect the newly adopted state law in which the licensing that once generated revenue for cities and counties now goes the state for Iowa Department of Natural Resources. State licensed ATVs can now be driven throughout the state.
The city had to readdress the new flood plane map. Structures in a flood zone can have flood insurance, but if the municipality where the structure resides does not participate in the flood insurance program the owner is not eligible to have flood insurance.
Some discussion was held about bands and food trucks at the park or downtown and when during the holiday weekend. There was a note of disappointment that the effort for the large-scale turnout once before did not communicate results to the city.