by Mari Radtke
Shane Meloy and his family attended the Primghar regular city council meeting on February 10. The young family recently moved to Primghar. Their home is located in the southwest corner of town. The location borders undeveloped property and is very close to farmland. They are interested in raising some small livestock to go along with having a garden. The property is currently zoned residential which prohibits the livestock. Council advised them to schedule a hearing with the Primghar Board of Adjustments to further their interest in either rezoning the property or getting some kind of variance.
Tim Moerman of Beck Engineering attended the meeting. He was there to discuss with council the services of Beck Engineering, saying, “I believe Primghar has horse power. He identified some if its assets that can easily be built upon for additional development. He recommended working with the city to develop a 10-year plan. He also outlined some of the accomplished tasks between Beck and the city and recognized that the city’s capacity is the key. Along the way some questions arose about finding funding and other services for downtown improvement. He referred them to the Iowa Main Street Program through Iowa Economic Development Administration and to check with Taylor Family Farms.
Primghar Fire Chief Cory Crouch updated the council on some of their recent activity. Crouch reported that they have received funding for SCBAs (self contained breathing apparatus). They are expecting to get the air packs and Emergency Management got the department 6 new radios with 3 getting repairs. Their truck was ordered in November and they were able to get the cost down to $335,000.
Councilman Sean Scroggins, assistant fire chief and Crouch reported the high quality of classes they attended at Altoona recently. The also brought up the concept of using used steal container ships to build into a regional fire training center. They suggested to Council that the old airport ground might make a great location for such a project. The suggestion is currently just a new idea being talked about. No formal request or detailed information is developed or presented. Councilman Ryan Jenness asked about how a facility like that is regulated.
Utility Superintendent Jarrett Russell reported that the old light plant is now 100% done. The old generators from the basement had been removed and an overhead door installed where the wall had to be removed to get the generators out.
Discussion of the golf course took place. It was clear that the city does not want to take over its operations. They tables any decisions until after some talks with the golf board take place.
RP Contractors will restart paving operations on B40. The project is FEMA approved and the city is in the queu for $100,000 and might take some extra steps that would trigger additional funds.
Ryan Carlson won the stump grinding award because of his 20% discount. Jeff Schmillen also submitted a bid at the same $2.75 per inch. The discount was the difference for Primghar.
The city owns a grinder but it doesn not fit on the skid. Selling the grinder was discussed.
The Primghar City Council awarded their legal publications to “The Marcus News” over a competing newspaper. The vote was 3-1 with Steve Wittrock dissenting and Buck Smith absent.
The city set a public hearing date on the proposed city tax levy for Tuesday April 14 in the council chambers.