Council Delays Mural Grant, Reviews Sewer and Park Updates

ALLISON — City officials discussed park usage, infrastructure planning and long-term community goals during the Allison City Council meeting last Monday, Feb. 9, with several updates touching on upcoming projects and city operations.

Among the updates, the mayor reported that three water shutoffs were pending following a review with the deputy utility clerk, and noted that the council’s first scheduled meeting in March would be canceled due to his upcoming absence, leaving March 23 as the only meeting for that month.

City operations also reflected recent winter conditions, as snow removal was completed on 19 residential sidewalks that were not cleared within the 48-hour timeframe required by city ordinance. Administrative scheduling was addressed as well, with the city administrator indicating she would be out of the office for a week in mid-February.

Parks and recreation planning drew attention during the open forum, with a representative sharing that a Boy Scout leader is exploring plans to bring approximately 120 scouts to Wilder Park for a tent camping event in early May. Meanwhile, the Park Board is preparing to seek bids on a roughly seven-acre hay field located near the park, with further details expected as the process develops.

On the infrastructure side, the city engineer reported that final documentation, including lien waivers, is still pending from Heartland related to a street project completed last fall. Public Works also began preliminary planning for a sewer maintenance program, with about 39,000 feet of sewer line expected to be jetted and televised on a rotating three- to four-year cycle. Initial cost estimates were discussed and the city plans to seek formal bids before moving forward.

The council delayed a mural concept to be crafted by North Butler students and the high school's art teacher. The mural would be funded by the Paint Iowa Beautiful Grant and council members opted to review other ideas before a decision is made.

Priorities such as, future street projects, nuisance abatements, housing development, cemetery considerations and maintenance of city buildings were reviewed, with the intent of breaking those larger objectives into smaller, achievable goals throughout the fiscal year.

Council members revisited the structure of city committees, with the mayor suggesting the formation of new groups such as a township committee and a nuisance abatement and sidewalk committee that would include both council members and residents.