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Last Updated: Nov 9th, 2009 - 16:05:43 |
Continuing to jump through required hoops to apply for funding assistance for the city’s sewer system update, Corydon city council held two public hearings before their regular council meeting last week.
The first was to inform citizens of the city’s intent to submit an application to the Iowa Department of Economic Developoment for a Community Development Block Grant to fund wastewater treatment facility improvements.
Jason Miller of MSA enumerated for everyone present the steps the council has taken, including the income survey which revealed 61 percent of Corydon respondents in the low-to-moderate income range.
The city had no written responses and no one was present who wanted to comment on the grant application, so the council voted to proceed with the application for funds and it will be filed before the Nov. 17 deadline.
The second public hearing was to consider and adopt two resolutions, which would allow the city to take additional action for authorization of a loan and disbursement agreement and the issuance of $2.5 million sewer revenue capital loan notes and also to access the money in a $350,000 note to begin paying the planning and engineering costs.
There were no objections to the resolutions and the council voted to approve both of them.
In an update on the wastewater project, Miller told the council MSA is working to get funds through I-Jobs and on the CDBG grant. He said the city is waiting on environmental clearances. Notices have gone out to federal agencies, but only one of 10 federal hurdles has been cleared. The good news, Miller said, is that applications are going in for grant assistance.
“The city is faced with a daunting task, it needs as many grant assistances as possible,” Miller said.
City insurance
Dan Sales of Cook Insurance asked the council to return the city’s insurance business to his firm. He said Cook Insurance had the city’s insurance three years ago, but shortly after he purchased the business Mike Rockhold became the city’s agent of record. At that time, Sales said, the council told him to come back in three years and he could again be the agent. Sales said he would like to be the agent for the next three years.
Rockhold spoke up to say he would like to have the insurance left with Custom Insurance Service, which is now owned by Lisa Holt.
‘I don’t think any one insurance agent has a better understnanding of the City of Corydon. . . . I’ve worked with Lisa and will continue to work with Lisa,” Rockhold said.
Mayor Larry Harlan told the agents he understands it is not a bidding war for price, but it all boils down to service. He said it is going to be up to the council to “hash this out.”
Fire Department finances
Corydon fire chief Roger Carpenter told the council he would like to apply for a U.S.D.A. grant to purchase Jaws of Life equipment, but the city has to hold a hearing for the grant application.
The total cost will be nearly $26,000, and the grant could pay as little as 35 percent or as much as 75 percent.
Carpenter said the department has conducted a letter campaign to raise funds and currently has $10,000 for the equipment. Before the council agreed to hold a public hearing, discussion turned to better communication between the department and the city.
“The fire department can’t operate like they’re out in left field and on their own,” Harlan said. “There needs to be solidification, maybe we need some meetings and clarifications.”
Councilman John Rider noted the changes since the department is no longer only a city department, but the townships are now involved.
The council set a public hearing on the U.S.D.A. grant application for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7.
Carpenter also asked the council about the possibility of billing when the department is called to a fire or accident.
After discussion, the council decided to first get a legal opinion on charging fees, then consider the matter again.
In addition, the council discussed the fact that the fire department has now spent more than 60 percent of the money budgeted for 2009-2010 and the year is only 33 percent over.
This brought the discussion abruptly back to more oversight and communication between the council, the township trustees and the fire department.
Other business
The council also-
• discussed traffic problems at the elementary school with the possibilities of placing temporary stop signs during bus loading and unloading times.
• approved liquor license renewals for Corydon American Legion and Ludlow’s Steak House and Lounge.
• learned there is no funding available for the city’s portion of Highway 14 around the square.
• learned Channel 17 is down. The modem is not working and the company is looking for another one so the city can update the local channel.
• discussed nuisance abatement, or the lack thereof, at several properties.
• discussed a “loading dock” or “speed bump” that has been installed in the alley behind the Dollar General store and decided it must be removed.
• planned a work session for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 to bring new council members up to date on city issues.
• set the next regular meeting for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7.
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