Sheldon, Iowa — During their meeting Wednesday the Sheldon City Council approved the issuance of $650,000 in a General Obligation Capital Loan Note to finance the purchase of a new pumper truck for the fire department, along with a pair of new patrol SUVs for the Sheldon Police Department.
The Council committed to the Capital Loan Note on February 6th of this year, but deferred the closing of the loan until now to save on interest charges. City Manager Sam Kooiker told the council that the loan can be paid off early if the City so chooses, without penalty.
Last November the City ordered the new pumper truck, and the $552,312 truck is scheduled to be delivered to the Sheldon Fire Department next month. In addition, the Police Department has ordered a pair of new Ford Explorer Interceptor patrol SUVs that are scheduled to arrive in December. The two police vehicles cost approximately $35,000 each, plus some equipment costs before they can be put into service.
In answer to a question by one of the Sheldon citizens present, Council member Brad Hindt, who is also 1st Assistant Chief of the Fire Department, explained that the department’s trucks are used until they are twenty years old, then replaced. Hindt explained that for insurance purposes, trucks more than 20 years old aren’t considered fire trucks by insurance companies, and running them past that time would affect the fire insurance ratings for Sheldon residents.
In other action, the council approved payment of $185,942.08 for dirt work in the Crossroads North project. Kooiker explained that $9,870 of that amount will be reimbursed by Coop Oil, per their agreement with the City.
The Council voted to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to begin drafting an amendment to the garbage hauling ordinance. The change was requested by both Sheldon refuse hauling companies, and would require residents to use automated standardized garbage cans. These receptacles allow the cans to be dumped into the truck without having an employee physically dump the trash into the truck. The garbage haulers proposed to the council that, if their ordinance change request were granted, they would increase the frequency of their recyclable pick-ups from 24 times a year to every other week, or 26 times a year. Both haulers are offering the cans for sale in either 35-gallon size for small households, or 65-gallon size for larger families. Mark Gurtler of De Kruif Disposal says his company is offering the 35-gallon size for $55 to $60, with the 65-gallon size sells for $75.
City Manager Sam Kooiker told the council that the individual, who had earlier approached the City about opening a can and bottle redemption center downtown, has offered to purchase a property on 2nd Avenue to house a redemption center, contingent on approval by the Board of Adjustment. The Board will hear her request at their meeting on Thursday October 17th at 4:00 pm in Council Chambers of the Sheldon Community Services Center.
