The Perry Police Department returned to full strength Monday night when the 11th, 12th and 13th officers were sworn into their offices by Perry Mayor John Andorf at the regular meeting of the Perry City Council.
Officers Brandon Biere, Nathan Heath and Micaela Zagar were introduced to the council and the public by Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn.
Biere is from the Des Moines metro area and completed his police academy training in January. Heath hails from the Adel area and was most recently employed at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. Zagar is a Perry native and veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Andorf administered the oaths, and each officer did “solemnly swear or affirm” to “support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the state of Iowa” and “faithfully and impartially” to “discharge all the duties of the office of the Perry Police Department in Perry, Iowa, as now and hereafter required by law.”
“Welcome aboard,” said Perry City Council member Barb Wolling.
In other business, the council approved the purchase by the Perry Municipal Airport of a used 2009 plow truck from the city of Clive for $54,000. Perry Public Works Department Assistant Director Josh Wuebker and Perry Municipal Airport Manager Jonathon Walters said they inspected the snow plow, approved of its features and recommended the council approve the purchase, which the council promptly did by unanimous vote.
Wuebker also outlined the plans for the 2019 Safety and Employee Appreciation Day, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Perry Police Department sally port. The council resolved unanimously to approve the recommended date and time for the annual event.
The council officially approved by unanimous vote the period of Nov. 1-24 for the legal open burning of yard waste within the city limits of Perry even as it encouraged residents to find alternative methods for disposing of leaves, grass and twigs of autumn.
Perry City Attorney DuWayne Dalen explained to the Perry City Council the rationale for hiring the Des Moines law firm of Ahlers and Cooney PC to assist the city in exercising its eminent domain authority for acquiring property owned by the Motsick Corp. and Zelma A. Motsick for the Perry Municipal Airport runway replacement project. The council unanimously approved entering into an engagement agreement with Ahlers and Cooney.
The council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with the Iowa Economic Development Board on behalf of T C and B Corporate Wearables legally binding the city to the terms of the economic development assistance contract, including tax increment financing payments of $340,000 to T C and B via the Perry Economic Development Inc.
The council voted unanimously to set dates and times for two public hearings, both fixed to occur at the Oct. 21 council meeting. One hearing will consider the voluntary annexation into the city of property owned by Joyce C. VanKirk, the site of the Raccoon River Pet Rescue. The council approved the annexation in April of the 5.59-acre parcel, but the Dallas County Auditor’s office requested a revision to the application.
The second public hearing will consider the disposal of the 1500 block of Second Street, which the city vacated last month. The proposed disposal of city property is part of an economic development agreement the city seeks to enter with the Progressive Foundry for the sake of the future expansion of the factory.
The council voted unanimously to accept the final site plan for the two 30-unit apartment houses planned for construction at 28th and McKinley streets. The developer of the project is Green Stream Home Apartments.
Perry City Administrator Sven Peterson informed the council the new boilers have arrived at the McCreary Community Building and await installation. He said bids for the remainder of the phase-one project would be let in January for summer 2020 construction.
Peterson also said the Perry branding task force met this week and will distribute a branding survey to Perry residents in the coming weeks. He also reminded the council that Saturday brings the Perry Public Library’s annual two-hour shred event, a cost-free way to dispose of sensitive documents.
Council member Dr. Randy McCaulley reminded his fellow council members that James Richard (Jim) Haas will be enshrined on the Soumas Court Wall of Witnesses in a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. hosted by the Hometown Heritage and the Perry Historic Preservation Commission.
Council member Wolling thanked ThePerryNews.com and some other media for promoting the pickleball training at the McCreary Community Building, which enjoyed a “phenomenal turnout.”
Council member Dean Berkland thanked the Perry Parks and Recreation Department “for keeping Perry so beautiful” through this summer’s rough weather.
The next meeting of the Perry City Council is Monday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Clarion Room of the Security Bank Building, 1101 Willis Ave. in downtown Perry. The meetings are open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend.
