1. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is July 6. Randy Gathers is unable to attend.
At this time it looks like a very short meeting for July 20 to approve bills (must be paid). It will be placed on the July 6 agenda and council can decide what time to meet. Only 4 council members are needed and the 5-minute meeting can be held at 5:00, 5:30 or the usual 6:00 PM.
The shortened meeting anticipates RAGBRAI and very busy schedules for all!
2. RETAIL BUILDING: Laurie Hebl and I are still working with developers of the 10,600 s.f. building immediately west of Wal-Mart. It is possible a development agreement could be placed on the (shortened) July 20 agenda. A recommendation will be presented to assist purchasing the property (using D&D) with a city contribution of $125,000 (current assessed value is $138,000). The developer will build a 10,600 sf building with a minimum value of $650,000 and waive tax abatement.
3. PLASTIC BAGS: Our second meeting included Dollar General, Fareway, Hy Vee, Walgreens and Wal-mart reps. McCoy Hardware had another commitment and could not attend.
Meeting results:
· Promote re-usable bag sales during a weekend in September
· Bags will be purchased by individual stores
· Include as many stores as possible (square businesses will be contacted next week)
· Goal will be 5,000 bags sold (1 per household)
· Stores will market the bags in their weekly ads
· City will promote the program with the newsletter, web page, cable channel 7 and news articles
· Bags will have Indianola Go Green logos
The next meeting will be July 28.
FYI—I am hopeful elected officials will support the project by purchasing 500 bags and re-selling them here at city hall. The retailers recommend $1/bag.
4. I&I: A progress report will be presented July 13th by V&K’s Forrest Aldrich and Superintendent Dan Miers. Also, an $111,000 engineering proposal has been submitted by V&K for Phase 3 which includes enlarging the South Lift Station storm pond and polishing pond (east of 65/69). The estimated $1,025,000 project also includes a pump station at the polishing pond to return sewage to the lift station as well as some changes to pumps and the lift station structure.
5. JR POLICE ACADEMY: The PD conducted its fourth annual Junior Academy the week of June 22. The 5-day event had 15 attendees who received instruction on officer training, criminal investigation and tools of the job. Thanks to the Department and especially Officer Brad Metcalf and Office Manager Pat Allsup for conducting the program!
6. CURBSIDE RECYCLING: Diana Bowlin is sending four requests for proposals to haulers for a 3-year recycling contract. McCoy Sanitations expires December 31, 2009.
McCoy has had the contract since 1997.
7. TAX REVENUE: Revenue was 99.89% for the fiscal year, about $4,200 less than budgeted.
8. ILOC: The Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference will be in Davenport September 23-25. Laurie Hebl and I are tentatively scheduled to attend. Let us know if elected officials are interested.
9. 5K RACE: In the council packet is information regarding Simpson College’s annual 5K Balloon Challenge race on July 31 at 7:00 p.m. There will be no streets closure for this event.
10. METRO STAR UNIT: Office Rick Largesse will be honored with the Des Moines Police Department Distinguished Service Award for his efforts as part of the Metro STAR Unit. In August 2008, members of the team entered a home under gunfire, and were able to rescue the children without harm. Hats off to Rick!
11. “Y” STREET PAVING CHANGE ORDER: McAninch has discovered a culvert not included in the construction plans. V&K is reviewing options of either replacing or connecting into the proposed drainage system. We can expect a change order
Also, Qwest has started relocating the phone cable on June 24th, however, progress is slow. McAninch has requested additional money for traffic and erosion control because of the delay. We will keep elected officials posted on both issues.
