The Webster City City Council agreed to table a resolution to enter a general obligation corporate purpose loan agreement to borrow $9.5 million to fund 2020 street, sidewalk, water system, sewer system and stormwater drainage system improvement projects.

During the public hearing that was held during the city council meeting, there were no oral objections or comments from members of the public. There also were no written objections submitted prior to the hearing.

Following the hearing, City Manager Jeff Sheridan recommended to the council that the resolution be tabled to receive additional information.

Council member Logan Welch shared concern that there be another public hearing if more information is provided at a future council meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Mayor John Hawkins administered the oath of office to new Webster City Police Department Officer Anthony Luft.

The council also terminated a minimum assessment agreement and development agreement with VEREIT SH, the former owners of the Shopko building, for being in breach of the development agreement when they closed last year and did not put a new commercial entity in the building.

Karla Wetzler, Webster City city planner, presented the city council with Tax Increment Financing requests from First State Bank and from Gary and Glenda Fox.

First State Bank, which recently completed an addition on its Second Street branch, will receive $27,963 of TIF rebates per year for 10 years. The Foxes, who purchased the former Shopko Building at 200 Red Bull Division Drive, will receive $20,625 of TIF rebates per year for nine years.

“From my standpoint, it’s the purpose of these TIF agreements to encourage additional building or new business and to generate additional tax revenue, so I’m fine with that,” Council Member Matt McKinney said.

The city council also decided not to move forward with a plan to purchase a parcel of land at 1104 Willson Ave. from the First Congregational Church for $25,000.

McKinney said he no longer viewed the purchase of the land as a necessity.

“My recommendation would be to not move forward unless there are other uses that we’re not aware of that we’ll discuss tonight,” he said.

The council came to a consensus that the purchase was not necessary and decided to not act on the resolution for the purchase, leaving it to die.

The city council approved the acquisition of 313 Broadway St., a property deemed abandoned and dilapidated. The dilapidated house on the property will be demolished.

Following the city council meeting, the council held a work session to discuss water and wastewater utility rates. The city expects to raise those utility rates this year and are working with Northland Public Finance to determine what percentage of rate increase the city will implement.

The council will continue considering various scenarios for the rate increase in the coming weeks.

The next Webster City City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, at City Hall.