City Council of Webster City meets tonight
To consider purchase of building, solar energy agreement
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At its final regularly-scheduled meeting in August, the City Council of Webster City will consider whether or not to pay Cynthia Bettis $65,000 for the building at 545 Second Street in downtown Webster City. It will also look at a proposal from Tasler, Inc., regarding installation of a solar electricity plant on its property.
If approved by Council, purchase of 545 Second St., once home to Kelly's Bar & Grill, would allow the city to resolve issues with both it, and the adjacent building at 547 Second St., the former Coulter's Drapery Shop. The city's preference would be to sell both buildings to private interests. Failing that, demolition is likely, as both are in severely degraded condition, and share a common, interior wall.
An engineering report determined the former Coulter's building is unstable. Three years ago this month, barricades went up in front of the building to protect the public. Its estimated stabilization and restoration of the building could cost as much as $2 million. An engineering assessment of 545 Second St. shows it to be similarly degraded and unstable. No estimate for its rehabilitation could be found for this article.
Tasler, Inc., Webster City-based manufacturer of wooden pallets, is investigating the potential of installing a 145KW solar photovoltaic (electricity-generating) power plant at its factory. The firm operates a sawmill, pallet manufacturing and repair facilities, a warehouse and offices at the site.
Specifically, Council will be asked to consider whether the city should allow Tasler to connect a solar generation facility to the city's electric grid. It would allow Tasler to treat city-provided electricity as a back-up to its own energy production. As well, Tasler could sell any excess electricity it generates back to the city grid as a credit against its electricity bill.
The key to making the arrangement acceptable to both parties is a lockable isolation device located between its facility and the inter-connection with the city grid. Both Tasler and city electric crews would retain the right to sever the connection at any time to maintain safe and reliable electric service, both to Tasler and all other customers of the electric utility.
Another item on tonight's agenda is selection of a supplier to replace the filter, pump and related piping at the outdoor swimming pool. Three firms have proposed repair packages ranging in cost from $14,000 to $292,500. City staff are recommending the more expensive package, a bid by Carrico Aquatic Resources of Oelwein. It is by far the most comprehensive of the three bids received, and includes engineering plans, all permits, inspections, equipment, materials, labor, and staff training on operation and maintenance of the new equipment.
At the bid price of $292,500, Carrico's bid is $32,450 under the amount approved by council in the FY 2026-27 capital improvements plan.
The meeting,held in the council chambers at city hall, located at 400 Second Street, begins at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.