Residential properties to be demolished

Creston City Council accepted bids Tuesday for the demolition of three city-owned residential properties. The bids chosen all are with the same company, H&H Commercial Services, owned by Trent Holliday of Creston.

For two of the three properties, H&H Commercial Services was not the lowest bid. The first property, 615 N. Maple St., had a low bid of $19,750 by Huddleson Tree Service, just $150 under H&H Commercial Services’ bid. Likewise, the two lowest bids for 805 W. Jefferson St. were Huddleson Tree Service at $18,800 and H&H Commercial Services at $18,900.

However, councilmember Jen Worisek expressed concerns with using the lowest bid for those two locations. “I’ve never heard of Huddleson demolishing houses,” she said.

Creston City Administrator Mike Taylor said the city had never used their services before for demolition. Police Chief Paul Ver Meer agreed, adding he’d never heard of Huddleson Tree Service tearing houses down before, only rehabbing them.

According to city records, the city has used H&H Commercial Services in the past for demolitions. The company did have the lowest bid for the third property, 400 S. Walnut St, at $15,900.

In other council news...

The council has adopted changes to an ordinance regarding to garbage collection fees. The collection rate is now at $28 a month per residence.

Council has approved the temporary closure of Kirby and Stone Streets at McKinley Street from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 for the Halloween event Bright Eyes in the Park, a fundraiser by Creston Animal Rescue Effort.