Progress may be the best way to describe actions taken at West Liberty’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 3, the city taking positive action in a number of areas on top of approving a number of parks and recreation department changes (see related story).
The council approved the final reading of an ordinance to put their stamp on an agricultural zoning change of nearly 12 acres to allow for a future new subdivision on the north side of the city, followed up with details on a new ordinance involving the use of golf carts, ATV’s and UTV’s in the community and hired a full-time communications director.
Located on the northeast corner of Rainbow Drive and Garfield Avenue on the northeast edge of West Liberty and owned by Buysse Enterprises LLC of West Liberty, the development tentatively includes eight single-family home lots, 20 lots for duplexes and two multi-family lots.
Plans call for a U-shaped street to be built on the land, with both entrances coming off Rainbow Drive. The eight single family lots will rise to the east side of the subdivision while 10 duplexes will rise on the north and west sides of the subdivision. Multi-family complexes are to be built on the south side adjacent to Rainbow Drive.
The land is owned by Andy Buysse, who is being aided by local real estate developer Brad Akers.
The development comes after a long-awaited promise of new housing to the east of the proposed subdivision north of the Dutton Sports Complex to be known as Dutton Park, but plans for that development have fallen flat due to land elevation problems following a study by the city engineers, Veerstra & Kimm.
Leo Foley of V & K said his firm will begin the mapping process in the next few weeks to strengthen infrastructure for the new subdivision, in particular along Rainbow Drive and Maxsom Streets where the city will need to decide on sidewalk or trail possibilities in the area.
Following some discussion, the city put plans in place to allow golf carts, ATV’s and UTV’s to operate in the city after the ordinance was passed at the late July meeting. Details on stickers and registration were finalized at the meeting, to be made available through city hall and the police department, who will be inspecting the vehicles.
City Clerk Lee Geertz said she “appreciated the patience” of residents seeking permits as the city finalized preparations.
Hire communications specialist
The city also hired Jacob Lane as a new full-time communications specialist, stealing the former Index editor from a communications position at the West Liberty Public Library. Lane had been in the position for the past two years.
The council appointed Nick Heath, the Parks & Recreation Director, as Director of Communications 2.5 years ago, but additional responsibilities in parks and recreation limit his time with the position.
Lane, who attended the meeting, said he has been updating the city’s Facebook page daily with information and said “I did it for seven years with the newspaper,” noting he is excited about the new appointment that began Aug. 1.
He will also be in charge of keeping the city’s website updated. He was highly recommended by several city officials. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and mass communications and has a BA degree in English.
In other business, the city council discussed a nuisance violations ruling in Muscatine County court on the Olsen property in the community.
A judge ruled against the city and despite a recommendation by the city attorney to appeal, the council voted to “put this behind us,” with councilman Jose Zacarius making the motion to move forward, followed by a unanimous vote not to pursue an appeal.
Lee Geertz said the homeowner “very much wanted their side to be heard” after months of arguments and discussions regarding building permits and other violations. Mayor Robert Hartman also recommended not appealing the decision, noting his biggest concern was to get items of concern in compliance, which “has been achieved.”
Strategic planning
The city also decided not to spend more money with Midwest Municipal Consulting of Ankeny, owned by former city interim manager Elizabeth Hansen. The firm was one of two making bids on a goal-setting and strategic planning session.
The MMC bid was $2,000, $800 more than a bid by Callahan Municipal Consultants of Anamosa, which was awarded the contract. The process would begin in December to include newly elected city officials as the mayor and two coun cil members are on the November ballot.
Cara McFerren of the council questioned the cost of a recent audit that was completed, noting the city is spending $15,000 more on additional auditing work.
There was also discussion concerning two recent power outages on property owned by Stacy Ervin in the city. The city responded as quickly as possible to both outages according to Ed Tvrs, electrical department supervisor. The council questioned communication efforts with city residents about such problems, these caused by a tree taking out a line as well as breaker malfunction.
Geertz added that there have also been a number of complaints at city hall about utility billing and temporarily eliminating services. She said city administrators “need to be at the top of our game” in answering public concerns, but called it “a two-way street,” noting the city doesn’t make a point of cutting off services to residents without a lot of notice.
The council also approved liquor license applications for Winks Bar & Grill and Savor D’s.
The city also approved the closing of Third Street from Spencer to Calhoun on Sunday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. so the St. Joseph Catholic Church could host a fundraising family festival. Fr. Guillermo Trevino made the request along with Jose Duran, along with a half-hour road closure request by Guadalupe Hurtado to shut down a portion of Calhoun Street from First to Sixth Street from the fairgrounds to St. Joseph Catholic Church for a Quinceanera event on Sept. 18, beginning at 2:30 p.m.