City Council renews Residential Tax Abatement program
Approves reduction of lot price for Ridge Construction
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By KOLLEEN TAYLOR
The Webster City City Council approved a number of purchases and contracts in addition to addressing a public hearing during the meeting and setting another public hearing in September during Monday night’s meeting.
The public hearing on the Residential Tax Abatement program was approved by the Webster City City Council after a presentation by Ariel Bertran who gave a brief history on the use of this program.
The 1993 residential tax abatement had about 100 projects which used the abatement, and the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning board was to approve the extension for 3 more years. This extension was approved during the meeting.
Brian Ridge from Ridge Development was present to discuss his request to reduce the price of the lot he had purchased at 2501 N. Terrace Drive, where his company had built a house. This property has recently been sold, but the initial sale price of the lot had been set at $19,995. His request was to reduce the price of the lot to $500. Ridge Construction explained the challenges they had faced in selling the property, and indicated the company had lost an average of $34,000 per home. He was asking for the reduction to help absorb some of the losses they have incurred.
Ridge said in a letter to the city council that they had built 14 new homes in Webster City since 2018. They started construction in 2023 on the lot they requested the reduction in the price. In the contract, they agreed to pay $1,000 up front on the lot, with the remaining amount paid upon its sale.
It was pointed out that they had already paid $1,000 on the lot by council woman Ashley Allers, who abstained from voting.
"I'm willing to call it good," said Mayor John Hawkins. "Since we are doing a deal with someone else, I think that would be fair."
Councilman John Marvel didn't fully agree.
"I appreciate all you have done," said Marvel, "I can't speak to the council then, I do know contracts have been amended and contracts get changed. I do believe a contract is a contract. I do recognize that you have done a lot."
A motion to consider the $1,000 downpayment accepted as full payment was voted on with two votes in support, one vote against, and one abstained. The motion was approved.
Brandon Bahrenfuss also addressed the public hearing for the extension of Mary Ann's Water Main Extension project. Brandon Bahrenfuss explained that the project would address the water main flow. He said this project would loop the system, increasing the water pressure, and improve the water needed in fire prevention. The public hearing will be Sept. 8.
Also from Bahrenfuss was a request to enter into an agreement for concrete crushing. Bahrenfuss has been working with the County Engineer, Ryan Weideman and they will combine their concrete crushing which allows them to reduce the cost to recycle the concrete that is placed in the city disposal site. He explained that in the past the cost has been over $7 per ton. This new agreement will be at a cost of $4 per ton. This was also approved.
Brian Orton, the Electric Utility Supervisor requested a new brush trimmer to use by the line department. This was an item which was budgeted in the 2026-27 Capital Equipment plan. The price of $72,900 was less than the budgeted $86,000, and the current chipper has had recurring problems with its clutch. Repairs have averaged about $5,000 each time they had it worked on. He indicated that it will take the next five years to get caught up with the work due to road clearance.
"We are at a tipping point with the trade-in value; the consideration of the clutch adds to the safety of an already dangerous job," said City Manager John Harrenstein
During the public comments at the beginning of the meeting, the council members listened to Mark Gillette who spoke on the permits and fees for new construction. He cited some of the history of changes over the years, the increase in the cost of the permits for new construction and asked the council to look at the issue. He noted that the costs for the permits were increased from $6-8,000 to nearly $18,000. He also requested they look into the additional fees for adding a "granny house" or an Air BNB to a property. He is asking the city council to consider changing these fees in the future.
In other action the council
Approved beer and liquor licences for Wildcat Products, Now and Forever,(formerly Yesway) located at 1102 Second St. and 1803 Superior St.
Approved cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor device retailer permits for Brew #71, and Now & forever
Set a Public Hearing for the extension of the water main for Mary Ann's Specialty Foods for Sept. 8 at 6:05 p.m.
Authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Planer Brother Crushing, LLC.
Approved and appointed the City Manager to execute an agreement with DGR Engineering for professional engineering services for the City's municipal electric System Arc Flash Assessment. The industry standard is for this to be reviewed every 5 years and with the new Reisner substation, was important for safety.
Approved the acquisition of an abandoned property at 1111 3rd St.
Heard a report by city attorney by Zach Chizek for legal work he has worked on during July
The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 17 at 6 p.m.