Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council met in regular session at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon in the council chambers at the Sheldon Community Services Center across 9th Street from KIWA Radio.
When they approved the consent agenda, they approved the meeting minutes from the previous meeting, the list of claims, a liquor license renewal for Fore Season Swings, a change order and pay application for the Western Avenue project, the confirmation of Mayor Greg Geels’ appointment of Pete Hamill as Mayor Pro Tem, and a resolution approving a pay application for the Sheldon Upper Story Conversion Project.
In new business, the council held a public hearing on budget amendment for fiscal year 2025-26. No comments were presented.
The Sheldon Fire Company has been in the process of reviewing its budgetary and contractual obligations for fire protection services in the rural townships it serves. As part of that review, the City has decided to terminate the joint agreements with Carroll and Floyd townships. According to information from the City, they would like to negotiate new valuation-based agreements with those townships. To that end, the council voted to terminate the agreements as of July 1st. It is hoped the new agreements will be put together and ratified before that date.
The council also talked about recycling. Councilman Jeff Wagner says his belief is that the community wants to require all recycling materials to be in a container of some type. He says grants are available. Councilman Tom Eggers asked why the City is providing an option — in the form of the large container at De Kruif Disposal — for people to avoid curbside recycling. He says that allows people to avoid buying their own curbside recycling can. Councilman Brad Hindt reminded the council that the more people recycle, the less it costs De Kruif, as recycling materials in the garbage adds to the tonnage fee to dump garbage at the landfill. The issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Some people did express their thoughts on the City Park Master Plan. A number of people have talked about the unique wooden structure, Playground Paradise. They’d like to refurbish it and keep it or replace it with something similar. Another idea was a small splash pad. Another comment indicated they didn’t think the wood chips were handicap-accessible. Hindt and Eggers said they think the park plan needs to go back to the Parks & Rec Board for more public input. Mayor Geels says that’s the key — input from everyone, from children to the elderly. Councilwoman Shantel Oostra says ADA compliance is also a concern. The council needs more information about what the citizens want and how much things are going to cost. The council passed a resolution to direct the Parks & Rec Board to explore options for the playground and the west parking. Click here for the master plan as it stands.
The council also held a pre-budget session regarding Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), especially as they relate to legislation that may pass the Iowa Legislature this spring. They also received an update on the 421 3rd Avenue Arch project plan being pursued by the Sheldon High School CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Team.
KIWA Staff Photo
