Sheldon, Iowa — The plans to build a new fire station on a ball diamond at Sheldon City Park have been put on hold for now by the Sheldon City Council.
The council heard from several individuals with opinions on the proposal to approve a $50,000 agreement with Beck Engineering for Emergency Services Capital Expansion planning & design — to continue planning for, among other things, building a fire station where the east ball diamond is now at Sheldon City Park.
Mitch Giese said that the park was platted at the beginning of the town. He says it would be impossible to relocate, as the location is a good one. He says the ball diamond is used often, and also noted that recreation opportunities are important. Giese also said that having a fire station that close to a park is a disaster waiting to happen for the community’s children.
Marv Van Riesen also spoke to the council. His main concern is that the proposed station is too large and that the council paid too much for the initial drawing. He said the council should, “Put it on ice.”
Dr. Ron Zoutendam said he was concerned about the financial implications of the plan and the property values of lots around the park, such as where he used to live.
Vern Pruin said he was against the proposal for “all these reasons and then some.” He said that if the council were to do this, they would be “forever changing the nature of the centrally-located city park.” He urged the council to think carefully.
Bill Noack told the council that he is a former firefighter, so he’s familiar with the fire service. He says they do need a new facility, but stated that once the ball diamond is gone, it’s gone. His suggestion was to build a second building. In his words, “Split it up.” He said the council should table the proposal and form a new committee to look into the matter.
Wally Wolthuizen’s main concern was the nearly 50-year-old Sheldon Avenue of Flags and where they would go if the fire station were to be built there. He says this would affect 122 flags.
Kerwin Sterler asked the council what would be wrong with adding a stall or two to the current fire station. He was also concerned with the financial situation and asked where the opportunity for public input on this had been.
JoAnn Den Beste also addressed the council. She says on the original deed, it says “park.” She asked the council if they had investigated how the park came to be. Den Beste says she has tended the flowers at the park and Veterans’ Memorial for 40 years, and says a lot of people use the park. She says she would hate to see the park ruined by a building.
Bev Brower noted that it would be disrespectful to the veterans to damage the Avenue of Flags, and also asked, “What happens during Celebration Days?”
Business property owner Aaron Alons was concerned about giving the $50,000 to Becks Engineering at this time, and asked, “What if we decide to change locations later?” He also said to the council, “You obviously know it’s a bad idea,” and told them not to pass the resolution.
Also, six letters of concern were submitted, including one from the Parks and Recreation Board.
A representative with Beck Engineering told the council that what they have done so far is not so site-specific. Much of what they have done could transfer to other sites. He did say that the further down the path that the site changes, the more expensive it would be to make changes to the plans.
The council decided to table the matter of the $50,000 to Beck Engineering, and continue to investigate possibilities and goals. The measure passed unanimously.
Toward the end of the meeting, Public Works Director Todd Uhl said that he had been asked a question about the Lewis & Clark water. He says the water department will be changing the deep wells to emergency backup only. In fact, they may close one of the wells. Sheldon water will be 30 percent local water from the shallow wells, and 70 percent from Lewis & Clark, says Uhl.
In other action, the oaths of office were administered to one new and two re-elected council members, and they passed the consent agenda.
They also heard the highlights of an audit, which were generally good. For more information, you can watch the video.
After the public meeting, the council went into closed session to discuss employment conditions.
