By Mari Radtke
Glenda Heithus, during public comments asked about the property donation for the bike path to be discussed at the meeting. She spoke about a proposal she had made to council sometime back that was a recommendation to her from the county engineer. Her proposal suggests that at Maple Street the bike path be turned south on right of way on the east side of Maple Street to a westbound street to be further from turning vehicles from Highway 10. Superintendent Kelly Top stated that DOT will not allow warning signs of the crossing on Maple Street to be placed on Highway 10 because the trail is not on Highway 10.
An agenda item was for council to create and approve a contract to pay transfer costs of property currently owned by AgState to develop into a bike path extension into Paullina’s downtown. Jill Rausch presented the plan to council. The parcels under discussion are former railroad property on both sides of Maple Street running on the south side of AgState property to Railroad Avenue and possible access to Clark Street. The donation sets up great trail development opportunities to Paullina. An added benefit is to relocate the Maple Street crossing further from Highway 10. Costs to the city would be all legal expenses associated with the transfer of property. The item was approved. City Attorney Tisha Halverson is expected to do the contract work.
Alex Griggs was appointed to Deputy Clerk with an increased wage by $1.50 per hour. She was also given signor privilege on the Security State Bank account. Cleaning of the city offices and Laue Community Room were approved at $20 per hour. Griggs was given high praise for her work. The NW IA Area Solid Waste Agency Committee members and alternate were named. They are Kelly Top with Steve Heeren as alternate.
Upper Des Moines requested $740 from the City to assist with its services to O’Brien County and Paullina citizens specifically. Council members looked over the annual financial report provided and approved the request.
The South O’Brien Music Boosters can cage is getting a new home. Several locations were suggested. A shed at least 8’x15’ would also be needed at the location. No specific location was set, but the existing location will be repurposed by the owner in the near future.
The employee healthcare plan was approved as is.
The street report was presented to council. It is due to the state by December 15. Follow-up questions outside the meeting revealed amendments to the report will need to be made.
An agenda item revived an ordinance proposal for no parking zones on truck routes and roads less than 29’ in width. Steve Heeren spoke up asking, “I don’t know why we would want to go down this rabbit hole again. The last two times we tried this we caught hell.” Heeren explained how the current ordinance specifies where parking restrictions are imposed and, after suggesting the ordinance amendment be put on the next council, produced the existing ordinance as a guide. The proposed amendment imposed blanket rules for all streets of a certain character throughout Paullina. Congestion on Willow Street when the stadium is in use evolved as a street of particular need. There was agreement that more streets need to be closely looked at for safety purposes. Carol Honkomp said that she thought the committee idea was a good idea, but being so close to the end of the year she thought maybe waiting would be better. Jay Jones moved with a second by Honkomp to wait until the first of the year, which passed.
Beck Engineering, represented by Ben Groen brought an update to the council for upgrades to the sewer pond aerators. He felt that winter is the best time to let a bid and now is a good time to revisit this project. Groen said he through January 11 would be a good date to open bids and consider at the meeting on January 18. Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse pointed out that January 15 is MLK Day and Iowa Caucus night. After some discussion, council decided to have the bids due by January 11 and hold the public hearing about the project to January 16, 2024.
The second reading of the zoning amendment for signage was held. The ordinance amendment is to provide a legal way for the churches to use their signs. Heeren pointed out discrepancies between language in the proposed amendment with the existing ordinance. If the proposed language is adopted, the discrepancies would remain. After pointing out specific concerns he asked why Zion Lutheran and First Presbyterian Church shouldn’t be granted a variance. He went on to ask why the zoning board/board of adjustments shouldn’t be proposing an amendment and bringing the amendment to the council. The planning and zoning commission duties does include making changes and recommendations to zoning rules, outlined during the meeting. Honkomp explained that “the guy in Spencer” said, “rules are rules. They should have to take it down.” Honkomp defended the churches.
Heeren pointed out some signs that might get caught up in the new rules and have to be shut off 9:30pm until 7:00am. Ebel Kruse claimed that there are different sign types. The amendment, which passed its second reading and the third reading was waived, does not differentiate a flashing sign from an illuminated sign from being turned off. There is an entire list of rules for “all illuminated signs.” Jones is claiming that the church sign is internally illuminated and the gas station signs are not. Ebel Kruse stated that a zoning ordinance exempts gas stations from the new rules, but the only gas station specific sign rules are about size. Honkomp wanted to have the guy in Spencer look closely so council does not have to do an amendment to an amendment. Jean Unrau brought up concern for the Lutheran Church having to turn off their sign. Ebel Kruse claimed they would have to if the ordinance was not approved that night. The Presbyterian Church is waiting for rules under which they can erect their sign.
During the discussion more concerns for the ordinance were brought out by council members. Kelly Top said the Presbyterian Church has been waiting for months. Why?
Council voted 4-1 to pass the ordinance.