The item on the agenda at Monday evening’s October 4 City Council meeting that people wanted to know most about was the Wellness Center being put up for sale, and therefore, the future of the addition that was slated to become a Rec Center. Just a few weeks ago City Administrator Bryce Davis told the Eagle Grove Eagle the expansion of the Wellness Center was still on, but that was before a For Sale sign appeared in front of the Wellness Center.
Eagle Grove Mayor Sandy McGrath stated that while the project has not moved forward as quickly as both the City and Rotary would like to have seen, we have to keep in mind that a lot of things have changed because of COVID. Cost of lumber and steel are higher, for example.
“We’re trying to establish which direction we go with the price of building supplies and the effects of COVID,” McGrath said. We need to decide if we are all-in as planned and raise more money than expected to start the next phase, or do we pare things down for the expansion?”
She also noted that there are repairs and updates that need to be done to the existing Wellness Center that they would be financially responsible for, effective immediately.
McGrath reiterated, “We have to be able to raise enough money to support the project…we have every intention of making the work, but we don’t want to have to raise taxes to do it. We know we need something like this (recreation center), but we want to make sure we are using taxpayer dollars wisely.”
As things stand, the Wellness Center is up for sale, but if the City can make a decision and is able to start building/updating before the existing facility is sold, it is McGrath’s understanding that Rotary would still give them the Wellness Center building with the understanding they take over immediate possession and responsibility of operating costs.
“We really hope the community and organizations continue to support the Rec Center project,” siad McGrath.
After some discussion, there was a motion by Councilman Mike Weland and a second by Councilman Matt Jergens to table the discussion until more information can be provided. The motion passed unanimously and the topic was tabled until the October 18 meeting.
The Council also made a decision on Beggar’s Night. Since October 31 falls on a Sunday this year, the Council had previously asked the Chamber of Commerce to put out a social media blast asking for community input of when the majority of people would like Beggars Night to be held. While some people wanted it to be on Saturday so they wouldn’t have to rush home from work and the kids from school to get dressed and back into town, others voted for Friday night for the convenience of going right from the annual Downtown Halloween Walk the businesses sponsor from 4 to 5 p.m. Ultimately, the Council set Beggar's Night in the City of Eagle Grove for Friday, October 29 between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Council also heard about a proposed an Eagle Scout project at Fishpond Park by Cole Fourage.
The beneficiary has been set as Parks and Rec Director Zach Whipple. They will also make a contribution of $5,000. Watch for more on this project in an upcoming edition of the Eagle.
The council held an open Public Hearing (followed by a closed session discussion) for the 2019 Downtown Revitalization Facade Project. As stated in the Public Hearing announcement, this project is funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The City was awarded a 2019 CDBG for $400,000. To date, $55,400 of the CDBG allocation has been expended. There is a local obligation of $354,213 committed towards project costs. To date, $40,584 has been expended. The need for the project activities is to address slum and blight conditions and stabilization of downtown buildings in the business district. Jim Christ also asked about awnings and signage but was told this is a different project and would be addressed in the future.
In other business, the Council approved building permits for Donald Douglas (shed), Kevin Calahan (garage), and Randy Hansen (shed). There were no beer/liquor or cigarette permits to consider. They approved payment of $9,552.25 to Yohn Co. for the 2021 Street Improvement Project; approved payment of $185,657.55 to Wicks Construction for the 2020 Downtown Streetscape Project; approved Resolution 2021-44: A Resolution Approving the Road Use Tax Annual Report; approved the Request 2 (Final) payment in the amount of $10,309 for 811 N. Wright to Konomi Construction for the 2019 Housing Sustainability; reviewed Order of Recertification for Teamsters, Local 238 and the IUOE, Local 234; and discussed possible re-precincting and r-edistricting wards and precincts within the City of Eagle Grove.
Present for the Council meeting were Councilmen Weland, Schild, Jergens, and Quintus. Absent were Pamperin and Middleton. Also in attendance were Mayor McGrath, City Administrator Davis, Public Works Superintendent Lunda, City Attorney Legvold, Chief Beltran.
