Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council held a pair of public hearings during their regular meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The first was on the Adoption of Amendment Number 1 to the Trilogy Multiresidential Urban Revitalization Plan. This plan had originally allowed a 10-year tax abatement on multi-family housing units built in the Trilogy Edition of Sheldon. The amendment simply extends the soon-to-expire tax abatement incentive to be extended for an additional five years. There were no comments from the citizens who attended the meeting, nor had there been any written comments received by the City. Once the public hearing was closed, the amendment was approved by unanimous resolution.
The second public hearing was on the matter of the City issuing General Obligation Capital Loan Notes in an amount not to exceed $850-thousand. These bonds would be used to help pay for the engineering services for the wastewater facility, and the engineering services for the 16th Street project. There was no citizen comment on the issue, nor had there been any written comments received by the City. After the public hearing was closed, the Council voted unanimously to take additional action on the Capital Loan Notes.
The subject of the Crossroads Pavilion Events Center came up at Wednesday’s Council meeting. The Council discussed the addition of insulation under the concrete at the new facility to help prevent the concrete from heaving due to frost. Public Works Director Todd Uhl told the Council that the concrete right outside the doors to the building have frost-free footings, and he suggested insulation under other areas of concrete around the structure. Uhl told the Council that the contractor had estimated the project could be completed for around $7,800. Uhl strongly urged the Council to approve the insulation’s installation. The Council voted unanimously to give Uhl permission to pursue the issue, and they’ll have a final chance to approve the project once a change order is issued. Other Crossroads Pavilion discussion involved the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the events center. The Council voted to give City Manager Sean Hutchison authority to spend up to $160-thousand for those items, with the Crossroads Pavilion Board making the final purchase decisions, within the budget provided.
In other action, the Council passed a Resolution of Support for a state grant application to be submitted by the Prairie Arts Council for the Baker Township Schoolhouse. Mayor Katricia Meendering told the Council that such a resolution puts the City at NO financial obligation, but that the rules of the grant require it to come through the City.
The Council also approved Jared Holtrop’s application to join the EMA/Fire Department, and approved an amended contract for Development and Minimum Assessment Agreement for Poppema Trucking.
The final agenda item was a closed session for the purpose of a Performance Review of the City Manager.
