Sheldon, Iowa — At the Sheldon City Council meeting this week, the council listened to those assembled for a public hearing talk about an old car body that is being repurposed as yard art at 523 10th Street.
There had been two complaints about the piece, which is on Aaron Beenken’s property. At the meeting, five people came forward to talk, and most of the comments seemed to support the piece.
After some discussion, the council decided to table the matter until the first meeting in October. The council was told by legal counsel that they must first decide if a nuisance exists, and if so, they must decide how to abate it. It sounded like they may be able to work out a compromise. It was also suggested that perhaps there needs to be more clarity in the applicable ordinances when it comes to a yard art piece such as this as to what’s allowed and what isn’t.
The council voted to go ahead with a fire tanker purchase. The price had gone up, and that was discussed. Fire Chief and council member Brad Hindt told the council that in the current climate, dealers cannot honor previous bids. The council voted to accept the contract for $451,869 and they were assured the extra cost could be covered either through accounts or a small loan when the balance becomes due.
An unusual thing happened with the bids for the PCC patching and Wyman and 16th Culvert projects. The council was told that both projects only received one bid, each, and the bids were both significantly higher than the estimates. Beck Engineering and Public Works Director Todd Uhl both recommended the council reject all (or in this case, the only) bids received, and regroup before putting the projects out for bids again. Uhl was told by a few contractors that they would probably receive more and more favorable bids if the City puts them out for bids later in the year.
The council voted to pass some changes to eight ordinances to bring them into compliance with changes made recently by the Iowa Legislature. The amendments pertain to Operating Budget Preparation,
Pedestrians’ Right-of-Way, the Publication of Minutes, Sidewalk Liability, Adult Establishment Nuisances, Bond Requirements, and Electronic Meetings.
