Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council heard a County Economic Development Update from O’Brien County Economic Development Director Kiana Johnson at their regular council meeting held Wednesday afternoon.
Johnson told the council that the O’Brien County Economic Development Board is made up of representatives from each of the cities in the county. Sheldon Development Director Curt Strouth is the Sheldon representative on that board.
Johnson told the council that the greatest tool in the County Economic Development Corporation’s tool box is the Revolving Loan Fund. She says the Revolving Loan Fund Committee is comprised of seven financial professionals from the county, who bring a combined 182 years experience in reviewing loans and business plans to determine the soundness of a proposal, the ability to effectively execute and manage an endevor, and administer local funds. She said that since 1993, the RLF has made a total of 48 loans for a combined total of $3,646,251, for projects that saved 328 jobs, and created another 184 in O’Brien County.
Johnson reported that, in addition to funds received from cities in the county, O’Brien County Development has received $1.4-million in grants from USDA Rural Development, as well as an additional $242,444.06 from local partners. And she thanked the City of Sheldon for their support.
A public hearing was held on the Proposed Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Sheldon Urban Renewal Plan. The proposal would designate the area near the Deluxe Feeds plant as appropriate for an urban renewal project. Noone rose to address the council during the hearing, nor did the City receive any letters of comment, according to City Clerk Angie Beckman. The council approved the amendment on a unanimous vote.
In other action, the Sheldon City Council approved the payment of $136,336.42 for Pay Estimate #12 on the Crossroads Pavilion project. They also approved the hiring of an Assistant Rec Director. Monserrat Figueroa will be employed jointly by the City of Sheldon and the Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center at Northwest Iowa Community College. Figueroa will receive a salary of $30-thousand, with the City of Sheldon paying the employee benefits. The LLRC will reimburse the City based upon the percentage of time that Figueroa spends working at the LLRC. Figueroa is expected to begin work within the next week.
The council set the date and time for a pair of public hearings during their Wednesday meeting. The first is on Proposed Amendments to the Sheldon Zoning Ordinance. That hearing will be held at 12:00 noon on August 2nd, during the regular council meeting. The second public hearing will be on the topic of the Prairie Trail Multifamily Residential Urban Revitalization Plan. That public hearing will be held at the September 20th regular council meeting, and is scheduled for 4:30 that afternoon. The council approved a Resolution of Necessity for implementing that plan at their Wednesday meeting.
Councilman Greg Geels asked Public Works Director Todd Uhl if the lack of recent rainfall has prompted the Water Department to ask for water restrictions. Uhl says the combined water from the shallow and deep wells is sufficient at this time. He told Geels that the Water Department was not prepared to ask for water restrictions “yet”.
Mayor Katricia Meendering told the council that there are still openings to be filled on some City Boards. She says the Parks & Rec, Trails, Planning & Zoning and Airport Boards all have vacancies. She says anyone in Sheldon who would like to volunteer to serve on one of the boards should contact the City Office.
Photo Caption: O’Brien County Economic Development Director Kiana Johnson addresses Sheldon City Council.
