1. Mayor Ash Larsen discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Exterior Home Improvements Grant Application and the Community Housing Needs Assessment. The city updated the Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment. The assessment showed a need for another owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program. The assessment contained information from the recent Grundy County Housing Needs Assessment, and information provided by city leaders, employees, and citizens. The council decided they would apply for a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Housing Fund to provide funding for an Exterior Home Improvement program, as they look to rehabilitate six low-to-moderate income owner-occupied housing units. The units would be within city limits but not located in the 100-year flood plain.

2. The city requested a total of $253,994 in federal CDBG funds from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The city says that they will not contribute local funds for the project. 100 percent of the federal funds is said to benefit low-to-moderate income people, due to eligibility requirements of the program. The city promises no people or businesses will be displaced due to the proposal.

3. Chris Heasley discussed with city council plans on moving forward with a new fire station. The council wanted additional information about the project, but moved to allow Heasley to meet with Snyder and Associates to work on plans for the project, including cost estimates. Council members Murphy and Ragsdale abstained from voting due to being on the fire department roster.

4. Members of the RTU Board discussed fiber to home with the council. The board hopes the federal infrastructure bill will have grants that could help with the project. If it was only being provided to existing customers, the cost would be $3 million. If provided to every household within the city, the cost would be $3.5 million. The RTU Board looked to the council to help with funding, and ultimately, their blessing to move forward with the project. The council requested they get more information and come back at a later time.

5. The council discussed the corner of 107 Chestnut Street. A resident had complained about trucks and trailers cutting the corner on his property and tearing up his yard. The resident said he would like it concreted. Precision Concrete would not give a bid unless certain measures were taken. The council did not want to have it concreted and suggested rock or a boulder be placed on the corner as an alternative. Ultimately, the council decided the city should till the corner up and add dirt and seed.

6. An update on the Hwy 175 Stormwater Project was provided to the council by Lindsay Beaman of Snyder & Associates. Two options were discussed. The first option would cost approximately $480,800, with DOT opting to not participate in the funding. The second option would cost $568,300 after DOT’s share is deducted. Beaman will meet with the DOT to discuss their partnership and costs.

7. An update, by Joe Davis, was given on the new generator for the Memorial Building. The generator will be placed on the northwest corner of the current concrete pad behind the building. Prep work will be done beforehand to be ready for installation by late 2021 or early 2022.