Steve Hallgren, Planning Solutions attended the Primghar Council meeting on August 10. Hallgren outlined his experience with a wide variety of city planning activities. Among the performance are nuisance abatements, constructing regular and zoning ordinances, grant writing and housing development, TIF and Tax abatement. Hallgren outlined the range of offerings to potential customers. Hallgren describes his services as a full-time administrator consultant. He goes on to say he would be “the cheapest full-time employee you will ever have. During his presentation he identified specific tasks he is qualified to “take off Carol’s desk.” City Clerk Carol Chicoine did mention that she did discuss the upcoming comprehensive plan needing updated.
A long discussion of replacing or looking into repair of a city tractor found a solution with getting an estimate for the cost of repairs to a city tractor. Council declined to entertain the purchase of more new equipment.
Repair of a dip on B40 east of Highway 59 allowed the council to hear ideas for repairing the dip. Repairs are expected to begin during August.
The budget amendment public hearing received no citizen comments. The budget was amended to include the purchase of a fire truck for grass fires, the grant received by the ambulance, a library grant and playground equipment. The amended budget is to reflect both the income and the associated expense. Council approved the amendment.
Chicoine received permission from council, by resolution to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The grant is to assist with funding for the City’s wastewater Treatment improvements. The grant request will be for $300,000. Plans have been submitted to DNR which are a required element for the grant application. Total cost of the project is $6,860,980. Council also approved the submission of a grant for Rural Enrichment Fund for playground equipment.
A resolution was also passed to set a date for a public hearing for the issuance of $2.5 million of Capital Loan Notes. The pubic hearing is set for Wednesday September 14, 2022. The notes are issued on behalf of the City’s Electric Utility. Ahlers and Cooney, P.C. were approved as bond council for the Electric Revenue Capital Loan Notes.
The Library budget was discussed. The roofing project caused them to go over budget. Money was moved from their savings account to cover the expenses. The overage was $8255.77.
Fall Cleanup day was tentatively set for the first week of October. Council also agreed the personnel handbook would benefit from an update. That hasn’t been done since 2019.