The March 21st meeting of the Eagle Grove City Council began as they all do, with the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer. This time the prayer was led by Nancy Strub of the Catholic Holy Family Cluster. Mayor MCGrath then called the meeting to order.
After opening the Public Forum, the council heard from Ron Bliss, who was concerned about semi traffic on 12th street, remarking that he’d like to see the street closed to semi traffic from Hwy 17, to Taft Street. “A week ago Saturday and Sunday over 25 semi loads of trees went out through there, and they didn’t do that street any justice,” Bliss said. “Now, AGP’s gonna turn that new lot that they’ve got into a parking lot. So they’re gonna try running trucks in and out of there instead of going on 11th Street, which they already own. So I’d like to see that street closed to semi traffic if possible.” Mayor McGrath responded that the council would have the department of Public Works and the Police Department look into that, but as it was just a public forum no decision could be made on the matter until a future meeting where the subject is on the agenda. “Real good, thank you,” Bliss responded.
The council then passed the consent agenda with minimal discussion, before moving on through the agenda. Starting with a review and discussion of the 2022 Street Improvement Project plan, including bid documents, and related costs. “Right now as it sits,” City Administrator Bryce Davis explained, “the roadway that we’re looking at is basically North Eastern, North Wright, Prairie and a little one block of 3rd Street, for a mill and overlay.” The projected cost, Davis said, was at $250,130.00. “The reason for that essentially is because of petroleum costs, and overall inflation costs compared to last time.” Adding that depending on quality considerations like the depth of the aggregate, there could be as much as a projected $50,000.00 more in costs, if the city elected to go with the top quality 6 inch aggregate.
Robert Lunda of the Streets Department explained that 4 inch aggregate was not going to hold up well to traffic like dump trucks, trash trucks, school buses, etc. He also suggested widening the streets that are still 18 feet wide, to a standardized 21 feet wide. Project Engineer Becky Schwab of Short Elliot Hendrickson agreed with Lunda. “Adding that aggregate would add longevity to that asphalt surface,” Schwab explained.
The council set the date for bid letting as April 12th, and for a public hearing on April 18th.
The council then held a public hearing on the proposal to enter into an Essential Purpose loan agreement. No one in the public having raised any questions, the hearing ended minutes later, as the Council continued through the agenda.
The Council then held a public hearing on the proposal to enter into Urban Renewal Loan 1, a $350,000 loan related to bringing Daybreak foods into the community. Then the council held their hearing on Urban Renewal Loan 2 for $160,000 for the downtown rehabilitation effort. And then Urban Renewal loan 3 for $385,000 for the commercial construction incentive plan. All three hearings completed with minimal debate, the council then moved on.
Next the Council discussed Resolution 1011-26, “a resolution taking additional action on proposals to enter into Generic Obligation Loan Agreements and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same.” As well as Resolution 2022-27, “Authorizing the Adoption of Duplication of Benefits Policy for the City of Eagle Grove.” Both passed unanimously.
The council next reviewed and voted on Resolution 2022-28 “setting a public hearing on Community Development Housing Needs Assessment in the City of Eagle Grove”. Then on Resolutions 2022-29 through 2022-32, setting public hearings on the CDBG-CV Applications for 106 N. Lucas, 125 W Broadway, 202 W Broadway, and 204 W. Broadway.. All four meetings were set for April 4th at 6:30 PM.
The council then held a public hearing on the budget for fiscal year 2023. City Finance Officer Susan Maier presented the budget, leading off with an acknowledgment the the budget increases the city tax levy by $1.45 per thousand dollars, as compared to last year. More or less wiping out the reduction coming from the school board’s savings. Which Maier expressed was due to rising costs of everything from employee benefits, to competitive wages, to insurance costs, interest and inflation.
“That’s the cost of progress,” Maier remarked, before the council voted unanimously to pass the budget.
