A public hearing to sell property dilapidated house between Mark’s Pump and the Methodist Church was held, getting no comments. The public hearing was closed and the regular meeting was opened. The resolutions to convey the real estate did get council approval with Tyler Draper abstaining.
Steve Koch was on the agenda but requested to be moved to later in the agenda after discussion of the bus barn.
The economic development report included a confirmation that there is public interest in the residential lots available in Tiger Addition and Williams Addition. Signs are posted and people have responded.
Councilman Chase Cox reported on behalf of Economic Development that Chuck Kummerfeldt approached Economic Development about the possibility of the city purchasing a building owned Sutherland Community Health, Inc. The building was once where Mercy Medical was located. It now houses Tim Aberson, Chiropractor with room for another small medical or health care location. The group is interested in no longer managing the facility. Acceptance of management duties would include the funding on hand. Current bylaws state the facility is for health care, but Cox says it could be changed and that the current members of the board are not steadfast that it remains healthcare.
Richard DeBoer of Calumet was approved as a library board member. Mark Shriver reported 8 ambulance responses and 2 grass fires. He also noted they would like to know of farmers with tractors and disc hooked up to help quickly put out field fires. “It’s just the quickest way to get a field fire out,” he said. Mayor Kay Gifford questioned Shriver about EMT classes in the community in conjunction with NCC. Shriver reported that they are working on a Firefighter I class to be in compliance with the department’s bylaws.
The park board has received funding from rent revenue of the bus barn to a small group of individuals renting the space for storage. There is a second building with a city-owned vehicle in storage. The tenants began formally requesting repairs to the structure in August and council proposing to end all leases at the end of 2023. The group attended in September wanting to work out extending the lease arrangement.
The park board recommended to council to not continue with the arrangement. A discussion of what the probable cost to repair the building would be. Cox reported the repairs saying those repairs “are not bad.” He went on to describe some of the needed repairs.
The electric to the Little League concession stand is located inside the bus barn. The wiring design is not clear at this time, but would need to be moved.
Discussions of making it a city building, leaving things as they are or selling the building were all held.
Koch spoke about the matter. He is one of the long-term tenants. The 7.2 acres was purchased by the city in 2010 from Bogenrief Studios for $15,000. He proposed the city sell .34 acres to himself and his wife. The property includes the metal bus barn and a 2-stall garage. The property moves north to 4th street. The proposal provided for access and parking easements as they are and all future building would follow all zoning requirements. The sale would not be required public bidding. No decisions were made.
A public hearing to adopt a proposed Urban Revitalization Plan was set for Monday November 6. Discussion of street repairs was held with the suggestion to take a bank loan for some of the necessary repairs. The new water meters are still not completely installed. According to City Clerk Amanda Vander Hoff the company will be sending an employee, not a 3rd party. No specific date has been set.