2022's first meeting of the Eagle Grove City Council was a relatively uneventful, yet highly impactful one. It started as they usually do with a consent agenda, approving the previous meeting's minutes and handling routine matters like claims, building permit reports, and beer, liquor and cigarette license renewals.
It then moved on to the regular business of starting the new year off with a vote to approve mayoral appointments for the new year which sailed through easily like the pro-forma business it was.
From there the council moved on to paying some bills. First the council approved payment to Rasch Construction in the amount of $14,208.25 for final retainage regarding the 2019 Residential Subdivision Project. Then the council approved payment to Wicks Construction for $26,642.04 related to the Downtown Revitalization Project. There was some discussion and questions about the work progress and the city's recourse in the event of dissatisfaction, which were thoroughly answered by City Administrator Bryce Davis.
There was then a second reading on Ordinance 2021-08: An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Grove, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to the Adult Entertainment Business. This particular matter has in recent months been the focus of some controversy and confusion. As in previous meetings the council emphasized that the city is simply trying to eliminate any insensitive language that might be perceived as discriminatory through a minor alteration. Stressing that the amendment does not change the zoning prohibitions on adult entertainment in the downtown area at all. Adult entertainment activities like lap dancing would still be prohibited in the downtown B-1 District. But the language of the amended code does not define all cross dressing as adult entertainment, which eliminates both an issue of insensitivity, Mayor McGrath explained, and any distraction from the city's intent to regulate zoning.
Next was a second reading on Ordinance 2021-09: An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Grove, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to the Business B-2 District. Much less controversial in origin, this ordinance just amends the code to allow a special use permit for Lewright Meats to relocate, after their fire in the fall of last year.
The most exciting part of the meeting was when the council opened for a public hearing on the issue of 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Covid-CV Upper Story Housing Conversion Grants. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Davis explained. With $20 million dollars in Covid relief money up for grabs, the city has a golden opportunity to revitalize the downtown area and the downtown economy, at an extremely low cost, because the federal government would be picking up most – 93% – of the bill. Which would not only accomplish one of the city's primary revitalization projects at an otherwise unattainably low cost, it would also bring consumers into the downtown economy, spending their disposable income close to home. And each new resident would bring in tax revenues for the city, as well. Ultimately, more than mitigating any cost. "What a time to be alive," Davis said, summing up the potential of the opportunity. The general consensus of the council was that the opportunity should definitely be explored.
From there the meeting delved into an update on various projects. Discussed were the downtown streetscape project, the downtown facade rehabilitation project, the downtown awning project, the remainder of the 2021 street improvement project and looking forward to the 2022 and 2023 versions of the same, the 2022 lift station improvement project, and the rec center project.
The council then heard discussion of an as yet not publicly disclosed applicant for the open Pool Manager position for the Eagle Grove Aquatic Center. Discussed was the need for significant repair and preparation work at the facility, and the need to get the new Manager started on that work. What was disclosed is that the candidate in question is a school teacher and well qualified for the position. It was decided to recommend that the city begin the process of hiring the candidate, including final vetting processes.
The last order of business the council tackled prior to the police chief Ray Beltran's report was to decide whether to hire a city employee to perform rental inspections, or to use an independent contractor instead. It was decided unanimously that to use an independent contractor was the more prudent choice, based on prior experiences.
Finally Chief Beltran gave his report. Even in spite of December's historic storm and the damage it caused, December was a less busy month than usual for the police force, with just under 300 calls. Which is good since two of the officers are currently off duty due to Covid, forcing Chief Beltran and other officers to pick up the slack. Which Beltran praised his fellow officers for doing.
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