January 22, 2025

Business as usual

Creston City Council conducts regular business amidst COVID19 fears

By REGINA SMITH

Mayor Gabe Carroll and city council members Matt Levine, Brenda Lyell-Keate and Ron Higgins sit six feet apart as recommended by the COVID19 protocol during Tuesday's city council meeting at the Restored Creston Depot. (CNA photo)

With the exception of extra spacing between council members and the absence of council member Terry Freeman, who has recently travelled out of state, Creston’s City Council meeting Tuesday did not focus on the COVID19 pandemic affecting the nation.

Mayor Gabe Carroll did state that the council is looking into the equipment needed to stream future meetings if it should become necessary.

A press release issued Wednesday morning stated the city offices will be closed to the public until further notice. Employees will continue to perform essential city services. Those with questions recarding services should contact the appropriate department at 641-782-2000.

Regular business

A public hearing to amend the commercial district regulations for uptown Creston was held with no comment from the public.

An agreement with Mid-Iowa Environmental to remove asbestos from 105 S. Jarvis St. was approved.

New fees of $300 for curb cuts were approved.

A request from the parks and rec department was approved to hire Off the Cuff for Party in the Park in June. Carroll asked if there was a contingency in case of cancellation. There was no consensus from the council. Language in the contract states the band is to be paid if there is a cancellation after they arrive and set up.

“They (parks and rec) raised the money,” Carroll said. They are taking the risk.”

A resolution was passed to approve a waste water discharge study by Veenstra & Kimm.

City Administrator Mike Taylor said the company has agreed to pay for the study to evaluate whether raising allowable pH rates would degrade equipment.

Fire Chief Todd Jackson asked the council for their approval of a proposed fire training center to be located near the fire station. He said the fire department is ready to spend some of the funds they have raised for the project. To date, they have raised $25,000 through grants and fundraisers.

The council members unanimously gave their approval for the project.

A change order of $11,000 for the waste water treatment project and a payment of $199,422.83 were approved to CL Carroll Co.

A resolution was approved to place $414,000 from McKinley Park Aquatic center funds into certificates of deposit pending more information from MPAC on how they want the funds split, what length of CD they would like, and what institution they would prefer.

A resolution was approved to purchase a new tractor mower for $18,300 for the cemetery department.