News
Corydon Council pursues improvements
By Willa Clark
Feb 8, 2010, 12:49

Times might be hard but Corydon City Council members are not about to let the town fall in ruins.

With two property owners already notified to clean up unsafe structures, the council voted to have attorney Verle Norris send letters of nuisance abatement to five more. One of those who will receive letters is the owner of the building on State Street formerly known as Montgomery Hotel.

City clerk Ann Stevens said City Hall has received complaints about the old hotel building, which has broken windows and an entire wall missing on the top floor of the north side. Police chief Alan Fry said he has been told a child was seen climbing in an open window.
In addition to owners of the hotel, four other property owners will receive notices requesting them to clean up their property.

“We’re not picking on people,” Corydon mayor Rod Parham said, noting the city can address only a few nuisance properties at a time.

On the other end of the spectrum, some property owners have made improvements and are now eligible for tax abatements, which councilman Daren Relph noted is a good thing.

“We want to encourage this so we have fewer nuisance abatements,” Relph said.

The council approved abatements on three properties owned by Moorman Family Properties LLC and one owned by Larry and Linda Long. They tabled approval on another pending a check on completion dates.

Street improvements-help needed
Former councilman John Rider told the council he was there as a property owner on Highway 14, where the Iowa Department of Transportaion will be resurfacing the road. He voiced concerns about the state’s proposed change from four lanes to two lanes with a third lane for turning.
Stevens said she has received six calls, three for the lane change and three against. One of those who wanted to maintain the current four lanes was a highway patrolman, she said. Fry also weighed in on the side of four lanes.
“That’s why we want to throw it open to the public and get their views,” Parham said.

The council approved a pre-construction agreement with the state for the surfacing in which the state will surface Highway 14 on the north and east sides on the Corydon square and the city will pay for the outside 10 feet on those sides. The state will not touch the west side and the west end of the north side of the square. However, the city will have the option of contracting with the company that gets the state bid.

“The funding is not there, but we put some feelers out and got a good response,” Parham said. “We’re going to solicit donations and see if we get enough money to finish the square.”

Relph said he is pleased with the support. “People are already asking where they can donate,” he said.

Councilman Eric Jaeckel said he has conducted an informal survey of some individuals and businesses and has verbal commitments of a few thousand dollars. “We’re looking for public financial support to combine with city funds,” he said.

“The town needs it,” Parham said. “This is the place to start.”

Sewer updates
Jason Miller of MSA addressed the council on the sewer project. He recommended applying for both CBDG and IJobs funding, although only one of those sources can be used. He said the current planning and engineering expenses for the sewer system improvements seem to be on track. While some of the improvements on the wastewater treatment plant can be put off to wait for more funding, Miller said the city cannot delay doing what the Environmental Protection Agency mandates.

“No matter what, we have to address the pump stations,” he said.

Budget planning
It’s budget time for cities across Iowa and Corydon is no exception. The council took a hard look at the preliminary budget prepared by the finance committee and city clerk Ann Stevens before they approved a public budget hearing set for 5:30 p.m. March 4.

Included in the budget is a 35-cent per hour across-the-board wage increase for city employees. The council noted city supervisor Jack Pershy had earlier turned down his increase, but they decided to give it to him anyway.

Early retirement possibilities
In other personnel matters, the council discussed offering employees the option of early retirement with insurance paid for one year. Council members stressed early retirement would be voluntary, but each employee who opted for early retirement could save the city nearly $10,000. They voted to proceed with the necessary changes to implement an early retirement policy.

Fuel bids
The city received only one bid for gasoline and diesel fuels. They decided to try to get another bid before making a decision.
Councils of Governments

The council had letters from Area 15 Council of Governments which has worked with the city for many years and from the newer Chariton Valley Planning Council of Governments, both requesting the city utilize their organization’s services for grant writing, project planning and strategic planning for infrastructure and capital improvements. Information sent from Chariton Valley indicates boundaries have been redrawn at the request of Gov. Chet Culver and Wayne is no longer in the Area 15 development district.
Council member Cheri Nessen said she has used Chariton Valley’s grant writing services and was extremely disappointed.

Parham said he was a “little leery” of going with Charition Valley, “especially with the success we’ve had from Area 15.

The council tabled a decision with the intent to get a representative of Chariton Valley to attend the next council meeting.

Other business
The council also
• approved an alcohol license renewal for Casey’s General Store.
• reviewed and approved the airport report.
• learned the city crew had 9.6 hours overtime in January at a cost of $198.64.
• received three bids for mowing the cemetery and tabled a decision until they could check references on the lowest bidder.
• heard Pershy has two bids for a new garbage truck and plans to get a third one.
• heard from Parmer the golf club has paid last year’s balance in full and is started paying this year’s amount.

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