Sven Petersen, Perry’s city administrator, spoke at a recent meeting of the Perry Lions Club.
Peterson is a graduate of Perry High School. He took a bachelor’s degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University and is currently working a master’s degree in public administration at Drake University.
He became a full-time employee of the city last January.
Peterson discussed many issues facing the city. He said June’s heavy rains caused a strain on the city sewer system and knew that many homes received damage. He plans to work with the Public Works Department to develop ways to prepare for such events in the future.
Another current project discussed was the soccer complex near Pattee Park and the $250,000 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant the city recently received to begin the project. Peterson also said the brownfield project on the west side of Perry is nearing completion.
Also in the works is a 40-acre solar energy project that Peterson hopes Perry can receive funding to develop. The solar farm would raise Perry’s profile as a city moving toward sustainability, he said.
