Council - Regular Meeting

Join us in our opening ceremonies. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Join me for a moment of silent prayer. Amen. All right, we need um agenda item three is approval of the agenda and there's nothing changed on that at all. Is there ag?

All those in favor signify by saying I I opposed. Motion carries. Oath of office of Micaia Hamster. But Jim's going to come up and just um you come up by me.

You go up by him. Yes. So, we hired Mai on September 2, 2025. She attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy from January 5 to April 24, which she's very happy she's done with. It was 16 weeks, so they really upped it. When I went through back in 1998, it was 12. So, it's it's changed and I think they're going to make it longer this moving forward, but um Micaia had 51 officers in her class and she placed third academ academically overall.

So, really proud of you, Micaia. I know it's a lot of work. Um we're excited to have her back and working for us. So, awesome. Good job.

Good. We're going to just um give her a office. She can come over here and I'm going to ask her a question. And just so you know, she has to say yes. Do you, Micaiah Hamstra, solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge all the duties of the office of police officer in the city of Or City as now or hereafter required by law. I do. That's welcome. MA, do you want to sign this up here then? Do

you want to do a picture of facing? Oh, sure. We'll do like this. You want to see this shirt? Good. Thanks. Here. Have you sign that? I saw you busy working on the streets at Tul Festival, so that was good. It's good to get out of the car and walk around. So, it is. It is. Well, welcome. We're glad to have you. And if I sign it, Janet, just give this to you. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thanks for coming.

All right. Agenda item five is a time that we allow at each um city council meeting for citizens of Orange City to uh come forward and talk to the um city council or and the mayor or staff on non-aggenda items. So I'm not sure anybody is here to do that tonight. So, we will move on to agenda item number six, which is exhibit one in your packet, and it's approval of the minutes. If you had a chance to um look those over, I would entertain a motion of approval.

Any questions on any of them? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries. Great. Agenda item number seven is exhibit two in your packet and that's the monthly financial report that Kent will go over with us. Thank you, Kent.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Uh cash balances as of April 30. Uh so for us, April is uh the last half of uh collecting our majority of our property taxes from the citizens. They usually pay down in March. We collect in April. So we got 1,976,000 and the change uh for April of that amount 1,165 453 went into the general fund. So that's under the 1.4 there total. And then debt service, if you look under debt service under receive, that's all property taxes. TIFF. Uh if you look above the debt service there under the Hawkeye TIFF and the Event Center TIFF, those are the TIFF dollars that came in with property taxes. So yeah, 1 million 1.9 is about 50% of uh our property taxes and this is the last half. So other part uh other question or another point to make is under hotel motel tax the dispersed for the 25,000. This came to you guys a few months ago, but it was this payout is for Kittton Center. uh the the daycare uh in regards to what went through OC Grow a few months ago, they had some shade structures and some outdoor landscaping that they were doing and that's reimbursing them that for that. Okay, great.

Then the um last thing there under electric, you can see usually the rest of the utilities um the numbers are pretty a pretty accurate. The electric is a little all lopsided and it's a couple of reasons. Part of it is uh there was another 111,000 for that West substation switchge gear project that we're working on. Totally budgeted, totally expected. And then the other part is it's uh some summer materials. Uh Jason and the electric department this time of year have went out for bids for some of the summer projects and so we've got a lot of that material coming in. So that's why it's showing $800,000 out versus $600,000 670 coming in. So just wanted to explain the difference there. Other than that, I don't have any other points to make unless you guys have a question.

Any questions on the monthly financial report? Hearing none. Is there a motion to approve? All those in favor signify saying yes. Yes. Opposed. No. So agenda item number eight is our monthly bills which is exhibit three and well also walk us through that.

I just got a couple here unless you guys holler at me you can. Um first page at the bottom there Beck Engineering just to show you the breakdown. The very bottom one there the 17746 is for Madison Place. Uh the 26,000 and change is for Seventh Street um on the north side of town. Uh then there's some the other top three are just some general engineering services. Um and that is I just wanted to explain that's all we got. So those are the two hitting the high spots there. But some of it has to do with uh yeah all engineering services. So page two if you look under carico looks like uh there's two invoices there. The $4,512 is the uh pool management fee that we have with them. There's four months basically that we pay this fee. Um and that includes some maintenance a maintenance contract with us with them as well as like all the chemicals is a part of that 4500 bucks. Um then the valve replacement there is the 1796. Uh at the bottom there, Colinwood Management, it's the last TIFF rebate. Um it's it was a 10-year TIFF and this is the final payment for the ENT for uh page next one is page three. Obviously, we know about this project. 7th Street. This is pay estimate number one. Uh payout for the loss construction. It's went through Jason. Uh, so this it's 123,000 first progress payment basically for basically up till May one I think it was. Okay, next one on my check is uh page seven Lexi Limited. This is a software that the

Orange Police Department uses. is for policy uh policy software that keeps them updated with the newest and greatest policies as well as their training. So it is a annual um membership or dues that we pay to them. Michael's been supply halfway down there on the same page. We had some fence repairs done um in regards to puddle jumper lift station which is in the south end of town and then around the scoot shop. Um, and then if you go to page eight, Northwest Rural Electric Co-op, uh, the $100,000 there is a debt service payment that we have with them, uh, for the 21 C and the 22A bonds, but we pay them direct. It's a it's a loan agreement that we have. Uh, this is basically for uh, the canal division is the consecutive canal spot. And then let's see, uh, Nelson Technology. Sorry, right above that on page top of page eight, Nelson Technology. This is an annual inspection on the TBS, the town border station. Uh, they did a couple maintenance fixes uh out there as well. And then I think that is all I have unless you guys have any specific question. Western joint facility use.

Yep. That is an annual for Uh yeah that it's an arrangement that we have for uh using the soccer fields for summer rec.

Yes. Yes. Finally got finalized and done. This is in regards to almost a year ago where Yeah. We had Yep. bumped. Bumped. Was that you? It was a good phone. It was. But yeah, thanks. Okay. Any other questions for Karen? What was the Mononttoya fence?

Uh that was a little bit of a miscommunication. They were building a fence and they put it in our public easement. We had to have we uh remove the posts. Okay. So, we're reimbursing them for that. Any other questions? He's walking away. We can still ask him questions. There aren't any other questions. Is there a motion to approve the monthly bill? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Post.

Motion carries. That takes us to agenda item nine and this is proposed ordinance number 869 amending the public hearing requirements under zoning regulation. This is exhibit 4 in your packet and Janet's going to um walk us through that one, right? Or fill us in on it. Yeah. So, I'll go ahead and open the public hearing and Janet. Yeah. This again is just um bringing us up to date with the state of Iowa and we already did the rest of the code, but the zoning code requires the public hearing. So now we're bringing the zoning up to the four and 20 days for public hearing notices is what it is.

Anybody approached you or come in or questioned it or anything like that? And is there anybody here to speak on the ordinance number 869 in the public hearing? Do you council have any questions? So we'll go ahead and close the public hearing. We can do the first reading and if the council so chooses, we could wave the second and third. Correct? Okay. So, we'll first need a motion to um to approve the first reading of ordinance number 869. All those in favor signify by saying I. I post.

Motion carries. Now, if um it's up to you, council what you want to do. If you want to wave the second and third, I don't know that there's any reason. Do you know Janet um to not do that? Brings us to state code. I don't know why we wouldn't. I mean, what choices do we have really? But yeah, so I I would entertain a motion um to wave the second and third reading of ordinance number 869. All those in favor signify by saying yes. Opposed. Motion carries. And then we need a motion to approve ordinance number 869.

All those in favor signify by saying I.

I. always steps to go through. Agenda item number 10 is exhibit five in your packet and then it's the puddle jumper trail 12 edition and Jason is right there. So um this also is a public hearing. So I'll go ahead and open the public hearing and turn it to you Jason. Yeah, this is to consider approval of the proposed final plat of Puddle Jumper 12th edition. Uh, planning and zoning recommends the council approve the final plant of this subdivision with provision that lots 24 and 25 are not available for sale. Um the plan for this property would be um maybe in the future for retention

um or we it's retention now and then in the future we would add retention south um if that's out um and then plat reflects zoning change to R1 low density residential. Any questions? Any questions for Jason? I think we have And is this what you wanted to speak about? You can come up here. That's fine. Just give us your name and and where you live and and uh share with us what what you're thinking.

What I'm thinking. Yes. Well, thank you, mayor, council members. So, my name is Mary Lyn Glasser and I live on 8015th Street Southeast here in Orange City. So, I'm within the 200 ft of this new 12 and that's why I could speak towards that. So, uh my husband and I have lived at this address since December 2021 and we've seen a great increase in housing in our neighbor neighborhood and have gotten to meet many new people. So, that's good. Uh we live here because we know that Orange City is a wonderful place to live. I I've worked at the Orange City Hospital for 36 years and recently still working six years at the Hampton. So I it's a special place. So we've raised our family here in the community in Illinois retirement. So regarding the uh Puddle Jumper 12th edition. So right now people will have to access this from 15th Street which is in front of our house and then turn on Madison that potentially will increase the traffic. So I'm wondering what is the plan for finishing 17 so that we can reduce maybe some of that traffic out there on Madison. I don't know if that's been addressed yet.

Do we have an answer to that Kent or Jason or 17th is Mark. Yeah. Um to the to the east, you're saying 17th to continue going east. So currently this the city does not own that property um uh to the east. So I think there are plans and we're preparing for future expansion, but the city does not currently own own that ground. So it's it's being pursued but not an option at this point. So this will this will set up this project will set up the next step though get it one one block closer.

But they'll see why the purpose of why the city wants to purchase that. Yeah. That's really a model. Sure. Yeah. And the priorities would be Lincoln, Lincoln Place to the south and then 17th, but both of those some some ownership. So, does 17th go a little ways? Does like half a block? Yeah, currently it only goes a half a block. Half a block. Okay. East of um Lincoln. And then with the Madison project, it'll go another whole block. Yeah. Yeah. So, it's like a sub street like Mad right now. Yeah.

Yeah. Just Okay. Uh, so I'm assuming, yeah, this is low density residential housing and that we won't be dealing with forplexes, eightlexes, things like that. I don't believe that into that. Yeah. The lot would be big enough potentially a duplex. Yeah. And then you're splitting lots. And so if you do that and so then that made me go down the road of covenants and who writes the covenants out there? Who writes? Uh it would be city city ordinance.

Writes covenants. Okay. because sometimes we have found there was a disconnect because it's a single family homes and then duplexes go in and then you split the lots and now now you've got so the duplexes that go on two lots then Linded I understand you split the lot right if the lot's big enough it has to meet setbacks but okay a duplex is allowed in R1 low density right the covenants don't make that very clear so so that would be nice if we didn't have this little disconnect unless I'm reading it wrong. And I did talk to Kurt some. Did you? Okay. That's where he mentioned the splitting of lot. So, I've learned a lot over the last

Well, yeah. And you've even made me think. So, is the covenant some listed in the ordinance? Yeah. So, covenants would be on top of the ordinance. So that typically apply applies to like a private development where they've decided to establish it needs to have a certain look or a certain size um with a standard R1 zoning. It's just what's in the ordinance. Okay.

Um so the ordinance requires a certain lot dimensions and then allows for as Janet mentioned duplex if there is enough uh room with setback limits and kind of stuff. And then that would go like to city staff and then they would recommend it to the council to approve it or does it go through and zoning? It wouldn't have to. And if if it met all requirements, it wouldn't have to go through all those. Okay. Yeah. But if it's for any reason not going to meet the ordinance as it said, that would need to go to board of adjustments um for review and approval through that process.

Okay. If it doesn't meet the requirements that we have set out. Yeah. So my question to Kurt was when this did kind of arise out there that since there's a difference between the ordinance and the way it's zoned that we would have to talk to all our neighbors to see if they wanted to allow a duplex to go in. So then it's like you're getting all your neighbors together. So I just was hoping maybe it's all written about the same so you don't have to deal with this in the future. That was just the thought. You would only go to the neighbors you wanted to change the zoning zoning. Correct. Or or if you're requesting a variance or to allow Yeah. to allow

necessarily need a variance to put it if it's meeting all the ordinances. All the ordinance court. Yeah. Then you don't have to. It's also So those were just my thoughts. I can understand why it's a little confusing. Yeah. And it's good for us to talk about it too so that we kind of Okay. So you can see the concern with hoping 17th would get sooner versus later that will really increase the future children. Yeah. Kind of an inh home care too. So that's good. Makes us all aware. We like we appreciate that L. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you so much.

Okay. So um anything else on to be discussed in that public hearing Jason council any other or else I'll can go ahead and close the um public hearing is that good with everybody? I'll go ahead and close it. Then we need a resolution to accept the final plat and reszoning. Correct. Right. Yes. Good. So we will do resolution means roll call. So, I'll start with you, Andrew. I need motion first. Oh, see I was just going to jump ahead of you. Andrew. Now, Andrew. Yes. Tulip on the brain. Too much funnel cake up there. Mark.

Yes. And Derek. Okay. Excellent. So, that takes care of number 10. Now, we'll go to number 11. Prairie View Estates First Edition. That's exhibit six in your um packet. And we'll go ahead and open uh the public hearing for that. And Jason uh planning and zoning recommends the council approve final plat of this subdivision. The plat reflects the zoning change to RS1 residential suburban.

Okay. was pretty cut and dry. Wasn't a lot of discussion that you know of Jason? No. No. Or or Janet? And no, nothing brought into the city hall or anything. Council have any questions on that or somebody from the public on this on the preview estates edition? Free to speak if you have questions. Only only things to note would be lot one doesn't um does not meet the minimum requirements for RS1. Oh, up there. Okay.

Um but to avoid spot zoning um it was discussed with planning and zoning and decided that to avoid Yeah. just a spot one lock not fitting um to include that as part of our one. Okay, got it. And then these locks will all be uneptic. Oh, okay. Septic just doesn't know. And then the city will be providing um city water for it. Okay. You said city water. Yes. And then electric and gas comes from the city as well. City as well. Good. Good.

Any other questions? I did have one question from somebody asking about the them being on septic. Was that just for the cost to the developer that they would be septic verse being on our cities? They just said, "Oh, it's kind of crazy that that's the closest housing to our plant and it's going to be on septic." And I said, "That's a great question. I'll ask." So,

yeah, it's it's a combination of a few things. Um the desire of the developer is is definitely part of it. Um but also at that location it is it would be tying into a very large main and tying a small main into that and at that location you have a lot of head pressure built up especially during large rain events. So it could cause issues with backing that system up. Um, so that that would be the main concern is is causing issues as as that main it's a very large main and during rain events those are typically maxed out. Um, so those are the two factors that we discussed and with these being larger larger lots. So those are combinations.

Thank you. That's a good question. Any other questions? Hearing none, I'll go ahead and close um the public hearing and then we need a motion for a resolution to accept the final plat and reszoning. Absolut. Yes. Brett, yes. Darren, yes. Andrew, yes. Excellent. Okay. Okay. Agenda item 12 is exhibit seven. Um, and this is a resolution accepting the final plat of the industry sentum west second edition which is, if I'm correct, the old airport. Yeah.

Okay. So, J, we'll go ahead and No, we don't need a public hearing for this. We just need a resolution, don't we? Mhm. Okay, Jason. Yeah. Anything to enter or add? No. Okay. We will have I mean the next public hearing kind of addresses the design the one the agenda item 13 right? Yeah. But we have to do this before we can do that. Okay. So is there um a motion for a resolution to accept the final plant of the industry sentum west second edition and resolution. So I'll start with you Brett. Yes. Darren. Yes. Andrew. Yes.

Yes. Great. Great. Now to agenda item 13, which is um exhibit 8 in your packet. And this is um the proposed ordinance number 870 amending mixed use overlay zone and special focus area. And we'll go ahead and open the public hearing. And Jason, you have anything to add?

Uh this to summarize these notes here. This is basically making a industrial mixed use overlay. So you could do something like that. Any of those lots out there just so I understand that correctly. So residential/commercial combination 4 acres. So, you got to buy enough lots that equal four acres to

No. Four acres. Yeah. 14 acres. Four acres. Maybe that's a Brad. I mean, it seemed a little legal to me, but I just thought I wonder if it's intended to cover lots one, two, three, and four, which is close to 4 acres. Last time, Dan.

Yep. The entire area. The intent is for to cover the entire area. Box one, two, three, and four were part of the initial phase or initial plat. So I I believe the intent is to include that in the resoning. Okay. Um is my understanding of the intent of this is to cover the zoning would cover all of 18th Street phase one and then this plat. So this ordinance is just adding item two under that bullet. So one already ex that one where it says residential commercial combination 4 acres is in our existing city code.

Okay. And then the number two that just makes it residential heavy industrial combination 4 acres. That's new. I don't So it's just including the heavy industrial in that area. So the four acres has been there. Well, is it's accomplishing what? So, yeah. So, then in in essence, it's it's legal in the way it should be. Well, yeah. Again, it's the residential commercial 4 acres was already in our code and my understanding is this area is some of it must be heavy industrial.

Yeah. So that's why we have to add it then to allow it in heavy industrial not just commercial. Gotcha. 14D2 14D. Correct. Correct. This is not including just a solo lot. This is the whole area. Red re redefining the whole area. Okay. Is the minimum four acres. It's not talking about an individual lot. Okay. Gotcha. So, it's different if somebody wants to go buy one. Somebody can still buy lot 17 and go put a sh out there if they want to. Okay, perfect. Good. I just didn't know if they have to buy it.

Yeah, it is confusing. Yeah, perfect. Just didn't want to have to do this again in a couple months when somebody finds out they got to buy six lots to get this thing done. Very good question. Perfect.

Yeah. Yes. Any other questions from anybody on this um ordinance number 870? Then I will um go ahead and close the public hearing and this is the same as people right Janet we could do we have to do the first reading but if the council so chooses they want have any other questions but let's start with the first up for a motion to approve the first reading of ordinance number 870 support any other questions all those in favor signify by saying I

I questions are answered well enough and and you feel comfortable in waving the second and third um reading, we can do that if you guys are comfortable with that. Yeah, a motion that motion. Okay. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries and we need approval of ordinance number 87. Someone support those in favor signify, I think. Yes. Yes.

Motion approved. Hey, we're almost there. We're almost through those public hearings. Okay. Thank you, J Jason. Um, agenda item 14 is a public hearing on on the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget amendment. It is just um resolution approving the amendment that we come on up camp. Yep. No, it's a the time and place for a public hearing. So, we'll have to go ahead and open the public hearing.

Yeah. This is expenses and revenues that we went over a couple weeks ago. So for the public, it's a budget that we established basically a year ago. And then it uh by the end of May, state requires us to go and do an amendment for any unexpected expenses that we didn't budget for or went over on budget for. And so we've went through that process. It was in the paper here within the last two weeks. And now we're to the public hearing and just need to go through that process and do the resol. and any contact specific or from anybody or anybody here want to make a comment on on the um amendment is welcome to do so. Don't see anyone. So, we'll go ahead and close that public hearing and then we need a resol resolution approving the amendment to the 2025 2026 budget. And it is a resolution. So I'll start with Darren.

Yes. Andrew. Yes. Mark. Yes. That threw me off without Olivia here. Yep. Okay. So that passes. All right. Agenda item 15 is Iowa DOT agreement for maintenance and repair of primary roads. Thank you, Jason. Yeah. So this is an agreement we have with the DOT. um kind of lays out our responsibilities, what we cover and what they cover and there were no changes from the previous agreement 5 years ago. So we recommend approval. This is like highway 10. Yes. Okay. Any questions on that for anybody? You're satisfied with it and

Yep. Yep. Okay. So, we just need a motion to approve the DOT agreement. Moved support. All those in favor signify by saying I. Motion cars. Thank you, Jason. 16 is we've received a renewal application for class C retail alcohol license from the Prairie Winds Event Center. And with Janet, everything is in order. So, we just need a motion to approve that. So, move. All those in favor signify by saying yes. Yes.

Motion passes. Okay. Agenda item se 17 is access holding LLC Dutch front reimbursement. Um we previously, if you remember, approved the allowable max funds for for their project at 117 Central Avenue. And the city staff has received the final invoice for the project which is1 $147,93266 making our reimbursement from the city at 73,96630 from the from the city council. So are you on that Andrew? You are Did you have any nothing to add? And it's I think it's a sharp looking building. It is a nice very nice

I don't know if I can say that now. I think it's Yes, you can. And it does look nice. So, that is meets what meets our formula for approving the Dutch uh front reimbursement. Correct, John? Yep. Okay. So, we just need a motion to approve that proposal with the finalized bills. All those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed? Motion carries. Administrative reports. I'm going to start with you, Janet. Anything that the city hall and staff went fine during the tool festival and everything. Yeah. Turn the phones off, lock the door and go, right?

Yeah. Ryan, anything from you, Kent? Yep. Jason, anything else? Uh, just 7th Street update. Um, all the intersection works are is done. Uh, curb and gutter west of Albany is complete. They will start on east of Albany this week tearing up some of that reour and then Ironwood um from Ironwood to the bridge is ready to pave it today but weather did not cooperate. So maybe later this week you think Mark it should be

so keep yeah on that project. Good. West substation. Um, got all the commissioning done there. That should be powered up tomorrow and ready to go. Next steps is we have to add on to that substation building. Um, and then there will be new switch gear for later this fall. Okay. And then vision development that's going well. Water and sewers all hooked up. Uh storm should be in the next week or done now. So that one's going well and that's the place start

around the corner. Yeah. Good. All I got for now. All right. Any questions for Jason? Jim, anything? Nope. Tool festival pretty uneventful or Yeah, it went well. Went well. Um, I really appreciated the presence of police officers walking up and down the street. I thought that was good. Yes. Yeah. And I had many people compliment or um say to me how much both Orange Cidians and visitors, they like the presence of the police. So, that was good. That was good. Dan, do you have anything? Nope. Okay. Council Andrew,

just thanks to Jenny and the whole team. I think uh it's always amazing that we can pull off an event like that for however many people show up. But he had a little warm on Friday. Um but I don't think anything to do with it. Other than that, I think uh yeah, it was fun inspecting streets. My daughter now thinks that that's thing we have to do every day. So we'll call she lines up she lines up her dolls and has them inspect the street. So that's good. Yeah. No. So yeah, thanks everybody involved. city staff as well. That was that takes a lot takes a full team effort. So, very pleased. Yeah, Mark. Yeah, thanks Jenny for pulling that off.

And uh I heard a lot of comments about how city staff and officials were more involved this year than than years past. So, that's uh Brett Ditto Ditto Ditto. Darren, our city staff are the unsung heroes. Yeah, you know the scenes they do a lot of work and Yep. So, thanks to the city employees and staff and they're very very much appreciated too by the steering committee. I heard lots of thank yous that they were very pleased with that and um I think we'll stay at 3 days though. Don't you think Jenny? We don't want to go to four, do we? Oh, you maybe you do.

We're really tight on where do we where do we add new events? Yeah. Yes. and your new events were I think the tea upstairs was well attended and that will only get more popular as um the years go on I think so um it was good it was and I'm always thankful when we have a successful safe festival because we kind of put ourselves out there and and it's uh it's good were you aware that the National Weather Service was at the power station they had two people there during of all three days and we got emails which was so greatly appreciated. So we site Horn City in particular.

Yeah. And that was so nice because I think in years past it seemed like we'd have people in the sound the building or whatever that were, you know, regular people trying to read the weather. And so this was very helpful and very well and and um I don't want any surrounding town to have bad weather, but um I was thankful we were blessed to not get hit last night. So that was coordinated through the sheriff's office, Ryan Christ. Yeah, he's a good Yeah. So yeah, it was it was good and it's good that we all work together. So good. I don't have anything else. So is there a motion to adjurnn? forward.