The city’s lease-purchase agreement to fund a new outdoor recreation facility near Spruce Street is completed, with proceeds expected to arrive April 22 and annual payments of $285,000 set over 20 years.
Recreation facility lease-purchase finalized
Ed McLiney, of McLiney & Co., told the council that its Certificate of Participation (COP) sale for a lease-purchase agreement to finance the outdoor recreation facility near Spruce Street was successful. Local financial institutions were considered for the purchase, but declined due to the project not matching their portfolio.
The average coupon rate is 4.98%, with the total interest cost (including fees) at 5.32%. The city’s annual payment will be $285,000, with funds expected to hit its bank account on April 22. The agreement is over 20 years, with a five-year call option. The council also approved public finance law firm Gilmore & Bell PC to a five-year contract to manage the agreement.
Nuisance property updates
A public hearing for five properties was held at 4:30 p.m. Two properties — 216 Mill St. and 401 S. Oak St. — were declared dangerous buildings. Signs will be posted on the building and the owners will have 40 days to demolish, repair or vacate the buildings. After 40 days, unless the owners request relief through the courts, the city can vacate and demolish the buildings, and put a lien on the property. Properties at 214 S. First St. and 915 W. Route 17 Terrace received extensions, April 30 and 30 days, respectively, to make progress on repairs or demolition.
Two weeks were also given to the owner of the former Houston Mill to make progress on stabilization or demolition and clean up of debris. A property at 314 Pine St. will be bid for demolition since the 40-day period passed since its public hearing.
Meeting items
- Wade Ceplina spoke to the council about issues with people parking in front of garage doors at his properties on Mill and First streets.
- Downtown road closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25 were approved for Emmett Kelly Day. Travis Witzemann, economic developer, reported that 37 vendors have already committed to the event, with about 15 spots remaining.
- The council approved the purchase of PowerDMS, a policy management software for the police department, in amounts not to exceed $7,321.45 in the first year and $6,264.30 in the second year. The software will digitize the department’s policies procedures and provide more extensive training.
- A $14,726.77 purchase of UV lamps for the wastewater department’s treatment facility was approved, through the use of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funds.
- A $1,856.40 bid from Brandon Wildhaber was approved for pool work. The pool is cleaned annually before its opening.
- The Planning and Zoning Committee met March 24 to consider annexing 17.77 acres of the city’s land near Spruce Street for an outdoor recreation complex into city limits — zoning them agricultural to match adjacent city-owned property — along with a neighboring request to annex and zone a portion of land to the east as R-3. A public hearing on both matters is set for 5 p.m. April 20.
- A special meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 13 to award bids for initial work on the outdoor recreation complex.
- A new golf course superintendent has been hired — Edgar Scantlin. No applications have been received for a parks director.
- A $13,000 plus shipping purchase of a golf course sprayer was approved by the council.
The meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:20 p.m.
