Kalona to buy land

By Mary Zielinski
Following a closed session Monday, the Kalona City Council authorized City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh to enter negotiations with a nearby property owner for a land purchase which could be done this spring. The approval came in open session, but no details were disclosed about the property or a possible price.
The acquisition would be in line with the city’s downtown revitalization plan which also was discussed.
Schlabaugh said that the city has submitted its application for a Vision Iowa grant and will meet with the VI board for an official presentation in Des Moines February 12.
He stressed that a very important part of obtaining a Vision Iowa grant is showing “community (financial) support.” The community support amount set in the grant process is approximately $77,000, and a large part of that fund raising has come from the sale of the quilt blocks that will be installed on the downtown sidewalks.
Council member Ken Herington noted that some of the blocks could be in place by the time of the annual Kalona Quilt Show at the end of April.
In a related matter later, council member Steve Lafaurie asked if the city was budgeting for all the revitalization project in this year, referring not only to the funds the city already has, but also the hope for grant money.
City Clerk Karen Christner said that “we are planning for what the city will pay,” of the estimated $2.8 million project. The city previously allocated $1.1 million for it and also received a $1,055,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to be paid over five years. It has applied for a $550,000 Vision Iowa grant which is 21.4 percent of the total project cost.
In other business, the council:

• received the annual update from Joe Rasso, director, Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) of which Kalona is a member. Rasso noted that for the Iowa City Metro area, which includes Washington County, there was a 10.9 percent job growth between 2006 and 2009 which translates into 9,200 jobs. He added that the average wage, of all job categories, worked out to $24.15 per hour, adding that it has had a “significant impact on the area economy.” He also outlined other projects ranging from Tipton to Iowa City, and told the council that when it comes to zoning, “our clients want to see control,” referring to a need for “structure” in land use and development. He added that no company will want to invest millions in any business without wanting a guarantee;
• approved a change order for the lift station project downsizing the generator, resulting in a reduction of $26,744;
• approved a resolution accepting the public improvement for the lift station, once all provisions and procedures are done, which would be about 30 days. The city is holding a final $63,000 pending full completion;
• learned from Schlabaugh that the remodeling for the city maintenance building is “finishing up,” and that it “looks very good” with most of the concrete work (replacing a dirt floor) done;
• learned that the Community Center re-roofing is underway, especially the critical area over the racquetball court which will permit interior repairs of the court;
• learned that Pool Tech is willing to do provide design and engineering for repairs/renovations at the municipal pool for no charge, and that the children’s pool there should be closed. Schlabaugh suggested that the area be used in other ways, especially in providing benches, shaded areas and other amenities. Lafaurie said the repairs were important, that the city needed to regain the public’s trust. Herington said that “People want to use it (the pool) and need to make it worth using;”
• approved a boundary change for lot 21A in the Kreekside Subdivision; and
• set 7:30 p.m. February 1 for a public hearing on a budget adjustment.