End of an era, beginning of another at city hall
By Tracy Runneberg — Daily Freeman-Journal Staff WriterArticle Photos
A changing of the guard occurred during Monday night's Webster City City Council meeting as former City Clerk Pat Nokes was recognized for her many years of service, and the new city clerk, Justin Moore, was sworn into office.
Moore began his duties Monday, and is currently commuting from Ankeny until he and his wife, Melanie, find a home in Webster City. Moore will begin his council duties at their next meeting.
Flood concerns
Local residents affected by the recent flooding of the Boone River were again present at the city council meeting to voice their concerns. Lori Rhinehart, a resident of 1502 Union St., who had asked at the last meeting about the city's lack of a disaster plan, said "Yes, you do have a game plan, you just didn't follow it. The plan given to me shows who is responsible, and I just want to know why you didn't follow your plan."
Mayor Gene Gray stated that he is familiar with the plan, but was unsure of what her actual complaints were. He asked her to address her complaints in a letter, so they may be addressed more formally at the next meeting.
Beth Gordon, another resident affected by the flooding, asked how long the city was planning on cleaning up the garbage and debris from damaged homes. Gordon stated that she had been unable to get much of the clean up necessary on her property completed due to health issues.
Assistant City Manager and Recreation and Public Grounds Director Kent Harfst said "It's been a month now, city workers have been picking up every Monday since the flooding and we'd hoped it would be finished up in a timely manner."
Gordon said that she can only work a couple hours a day. Gray asked her if she could have everything done within two weeks, and when she agreed, he stated that the city would continue clean up until then.
Zoning request
The council approved the first reading of a proposed amendment to the code of ordinances, regarding non-conforming uses in an R-2 zone. The proposal was agreed upon by the Planning and Zoning commission in regards to a request from John Bernard.
The amendment will allow non-conforming businesses in an R-2 zone to expand their business, if they can receive approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This will allow both the business owner and surrounding neighbors to come before the board to submit the plan and concerns, and allow the board to add conditions or safeguards to their approval.
City Planning and Zoning Coordinator Karla Wetzler stated that there are another six to seven other businesses that are non-conforming in an R-2 zone she is aware of, but all of them are landlocked and any expansion would be unavailable to them.
"Our aim was to make sure the public's voices are heard with this special exception. Like with any other city decision, we have to look out for both sides."
Other business
The council agreed to enter into a GIS agreement with NewCom Technologies Inc., from Des Moines for the purchase of software and equipment. The scope of the project is to design, implement, and enhance a See City (GIS) Geographic Information System. A main purpose of the project is to consolidate the city's facility infrastructure into a seamless map/database, according to the proposal. The cost of the agreement is in two stages. Stage one is for the current fiscal year, 2008-09, for $44,280. The second stage of the agreement will be in fiscal year 2009-10, and may cost up to $138,780.
This proposal will also include a 28-E agreement with Hamilton County, in order to utilize their GIS information that they are willing to share. This will entail no costs to the city of Webster City.
A change order for the additional construction and administration costs for the completion of the Boone River Recreational Trail Project was also approved by the council. The contract with Howrey Construciton, Rockwell City, and Foth Engineering Alliance, Johnston, needed adjustment after the recent flooding damaged much of the prep work that had been completed prior to the flood. Harfst said that FEMA funds may be available to the city to help recoup these costs.
According to the agreement, the total storm damage costs to the project construction have been estimated at $50,000; which would return the project to a pre-storm condition and allow the City's contractor to complete the project as originally planned. The original construction contract was set at $604,227.97; change order no. 1 added another $206,190.23, and change order no. 2 added$49,611.40; for a new contract costing $914,029.60.
In other business the council accepted the resignation of Richard C. Irelan from the Senior Citizens Center Administrative Board-Senior Citizens Club, and appointed Mildred Elm to the board for the un-expired term ending December 30 of 2008.
Kerry Carleton was appointed by the Mayor, with approval of the council to the Civil Service Commission for the six-year term ending April of 2014.
