By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
NORTH ENGLISH – During the Jan. 7 meeting of the North English City Council, the council discussed creating an agreement to help out Knoll Ridge Pool, which has run into difficulties operating in recent years. City Attorney Josh Kraushaar explained that the pool committee had reached out to the city about creating a 28e Agreement, a type of partnership between two entities. He explained that, in the past, they had allowed grants for the pool to pass through the city. This did not involve city funds, but was flagged by auditors as a problem. Kraushaar stated that he had spoken with the auditing firm, who stated that a 28e Agreement would make it more palatable for the city to assist Knoll Ridge in getting grants.
The attorney stated that the city would have to make policy findings, spelling out why partnering with Knoll Ridge would be a benefit to the city and how specifically the arrangement will work. Kraushaar stated this could be as straightforward as saying it was good for the city to have the pool. He stated that the tricky part would be laying out the financial part of the 28e in a way that obligates the city only to the extent that it will fundraise and assist with grants; he stated that it would need language specifying that the city would contribute up to $X, subject to grant availability.
Mayor Dan Strohman stated he had spoken to the Iowa League of Cities, who were good with this plan. He confirmed with the Knoll Ridge Pool board members in attendance that, currently, the city gives the pool $5,000, in return for North English children being allowed to use the pool without paying country club dues, instead just paying the pool fee.
Vincent Roth, Vice President of the Knoll Ridge board, stated that the fundraising for the pool had gone great, giving them the funds needed to do resurfacing work and open in the upcoming summer. He stated that they will need to do more fundraising to continue operating long term and address issues like the pool’s leak. According to a pamphlet shared by Knoll Ridge representatives during the meeting, recent fundraising managed to raise the $42,000 needed for the resurfacing, $12,000 needed for two new lifeguard stands, $5,000 for structure updates, and $5,000 for an automatic chemical regulator. The pamphlet also listed $95,000 for plumbing and pool decking updates as a planned future project. Sarah O’Rourke from the pool committee stated that it took a lot less time to raise funds than expected, which showed that people were willing to monetarily support keeping the pool open.
Strohman stated that the key was that people would be able to make tax-deductible donations to the pool after the 28e was approved. He also noted that there was county money the pool could try to get. Cassie O’Rourke from the pool committee stated the partnership would help the pool get grants and save the pool’s longevity. She stated they now had a long term plan to collaborate between the pool, country club and city for the betterment of the town.
Kraushaar stated that, as part of the 28e Agreement, the city would legally be responsible for ensuring that grants were spent the way they were intended. He noted that a lot of 28e Agreements are overseen by joint boards. Kraushaar stated that the city wouldn’t have direct control over the pool, but oversight to make sure it doesn’t run into trouble, and that this oversight would help the city avoid taking more liability. Councilwoman Beth Carter asked how long the 28e would last. Kraushaar stated that would depend on the agreement; he stated they could have it re-approved once a year. Kraushaar stated it would make sense to have the ability to revisit it regularly, as fundraising projects are completed and how much the pool needs changes. The council approved moving forward and working out the 28e details with the pool’s lawyer. Kraushaar stated he would send the agreement to the auditors, to see if they had any tweaks, before bringing it to the city for approval.
Also at the Wednesday meeting, Cassie O’Rourke, who helps organize North English Fun Days, stated they were planning a similar schedule for this year’s event, set for July 24-26. She stated that, last year, they ran into trouble after changing their insurance policy, resulting in them having to pay $3,500 to cover the event at the last minute. Debbie stated she had spoken to the insurance provider and been assured that the city’s policy covers with city celebrations like the fun days, meaning that they will not need additional coverage. Cassie O’Rourke stated that the savings were huge and that it had been stressful last year, but that they had pulled it off. She noted that she was beginning work for Fun Days early this year and that she would have to secure fireworks early, because it is likely there will be a lot of fireworks used for the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. O’Rourke requested $1,100 from the city for the foam party and $5,000 to go towards the fireworks show. The council approved her event list and to fund the foam party and fireworks.
Forrest Gibson of EV Tae Kwon Do told the council that he had bought 116 and 188 S. Main Street and plans to use the latter property for his Tae Kwon Do classes. He stated that they had ran out of space at the community center and that he wanted something to own instead of rent. He stated he was currently renovating 118 S. Main, which he also intends to use for events like birthdays, graduations and weddings. Gibson stated that he planned to turn the front of 116 S. Main into a laundromat and put two or three apartments in the back of the building.
He brought up the empty, city owned property to the north of his buildings, stating he would like to use the space during renovations and later use it for parking. Councilman Lou Garringer noted that he could build something in the property, which has a foundation. Gibson stated this idea was very tempting. He stated that he didn’t like living spaces on Main Street and would for a business to go there.
Gibson stated that he was looking into a $100,000 grant to help with these renovations. Strohman stated they would discuss this at the next months meeting. He noted that Gibson was more likely to get the grant if the city was involved. Gibson stated that he will make the project happen either way and that the grant just determined when.
Vicki Oswald, one of the organizers of the tree lighting back in November, stated that it had been a wonderful event, with 80 people taking sleigh rides and them serving 150 cups of hot cocoa. She stated that they had taken the trees down that day. Oswald stated that the trees had cost $700, paid by donations, leading them to look into planting a tree by the veterans’ memorial. She stated that she had heard through the grapevine that the city was not on board with this idea; she asked if this was an absolute no, or if they were okay with them planting a tree in a different area. City Employee David Knipfer explained that there are water lines and the foundation of the old water tower by the memorial. He stated that the lines were 100 year old, that they were not 100% sure where they were, and that they would have to dig up the tree if a water line broke. Oswald stated that they would need to figure out how to pay for the trees next year and begin fundraising. She stated they may try to find someone in the country who would let them cut down a tree. Strohman told Oswald she had permission to host a tree lighting in the same area next year.
Library Director Annette Shannahan gave an overview of all the services the North English Library provides. She explained that there were 1,150 people with library cards, 19,026 checkouts last year, 3,143 people who had come through the doors, 532 uses of the computers, 2,097 website visits, and that the library had 15,463 books. She did not request additional funding for this year, but noted that they would need a little more next year, to attend a conference.
The council set Feb. 4 as a date for a budget workshop.
