By Denise Lana,
Originally published in the June 8 Public Opinion, available in print and online. Certain content is presented first to subscribers (print and digital), then released for consumption later.
The Decorah City Council held its bi-monthly meeting Monday, June 5, at the City’s council chambers. Two council members, Emily Neal and Kirsten Olsen, were absent from the meeting, however action was taken on several agenda items.
Rural fire agreement
The Decorah City Council voted unanimously to amend its 28E agreement with the Rural Fire Protection Association regarding the city’s provision of fire protection to surrounding townships. A 28E agreement allows Decorah to provide fire services to townships around the city, and in return those townships pay the city. For FY23, the city received payments from the townships totaling $44,000, but the new amendment will increase the payments to $50,000 for FY24. This will be the set payment for five years, with the fee for the sixth year and beyond being increased based on the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year of each renewal year. This fee will automatically renew unless either the city or the Rural Fire Protection Association is given notice by February of the renewal year.
Building and rental permit fees
The council discussed increasing building and rental permit fees to ensure property tax revenues were not having to be used to cover the costs to the administer of each permit. New fees would include up to a 6.8 percent increase. The proposed increase did not receive the required four votes to be passed, with three members voting for and two members, Steven Zittergruen and Ross Hadley, voting against. However, two of the seven council members were absent from the meeting, and according to the rule to reconsider, one of the two council members who voted against the increase could, with support of one additional council member, request to have it resubmitted for consideration at a future council meeting.
Sunflower grant
The Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center will receive a one-time $10,000 grant from the Decorah Sustainability Commission to be used towards a Watershed Exhibit based on the Upper Iowa River watershed. The council discussed the center’s original request of $50,000 from the Sustainability Commission, which would be paid across five years. Council member Randy Schissel voted against, with the remaining four voting in favor of the one-time grant, which would be in lieu of the $50,000 request.
Kratz Subdivision
The long-debated Kratz Subdivision preliminary plat was voted down during the council meeting. The proposed subdivision is located outside Decorah city limits but within two miles of the boundary, giving both Winneshiek County and Decorah the right to waive or place contingencies on requirements needing to be accomplished before approval. Plans for the proposed subdivision went before Decorah Planning & Zoning several months ago, and P&Z ultimately approved the plans but stressed a few contingencies that would need to be made. It was then presented to City Council and City Staff for review. After much scrutiny and discussion with one another, City Engineer Jeremy Bril and Kratz representative Tade Kerndt, council members tabled any decision-making until Monday’s meeting. Monday night, after further discussion and additional input from Kerndt, Council ultimately did not approve the Kratz Subdivision preliminary plat, with two members, Steve Luse and Steven Zittergruen, voting nay. Two of the seven council members were absent from the meeting, and according to the rule to reconsider, one of the two council members who voted against the increase could, with support of one additional council member, request to have it resubmitted for consideration at a future council meeting.
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