SIBLEY—Two planned improvements within the city topped the Sibley City Council agenda for Monday, May 9.
The first would provide desperately needed day-care space to the community.
Mandy and Mike Davis made a request for a revolving loan from the city as they proceed with purchasing and renovating the former Viola House to use as a day-care facility called The Tot Spot.
City clerk Susan Sembach outlined the conditions of the loan and has been in contact with Sibley State Bank personnel about the financing. The pair requested a $75,000 loan at three percent interest for 10 years. The first payment would be due 90 days after the center opens.
“I did have Jeremy Zink and Gail look at their application and information, and they were both OK with approving their request,” Sembach said.
“This is something we really need here, so I appreciate you guys stepping up,” council member Larry Pedley said.
“A lot of conversations have been had to get to this point. I’m excited for it. It’s definitely needed,” council member Mitchell Ackerman said. He also serves on the county’s day-care steering committee.
Their goal is to have the facility open by the time school starts this fall, with four larger rooms and a dining area included to facilitate up to 50 children. Mike added that they will not open until they are licensed.
“We purchased the center in Milford, and we opened July 17, 2021. We started with six kids and we’re up to 28,” Mandy said. “Things are going as good as they can go there. Something else we do in Milford, too, is we provide protective day care for the State of Iowa.”
The council approved a motion to move forward with the loan request with the terms presented.
Parks
Osceola Recreational Trails Association members Jolene Fisher and Diane Langstraat shared plans for a walking-path archway that would be added over the trail near Robinson Park south of the golf course entrance.
“In 2021, we approached the city with an idea to build a landmark structure that would provide trail users with a visual to the trail sections, and that was approved,” Langstraat said.
Even with the addition of informational kiosks with maps, Langstraat said they still get feedback from visitors that they are unsure of where the trail sections start.
“There would be easy access to the trail going south, and then turning west or east,” Langstraat said. “We continue to have talks with our friends from Dickinson County trails, who have encouraged us to think about extending some kind of multiuse trail east past Pierce Avenue to Willow Creek and beyond.”
The committee visited different locations and reviewed images of other structures to formulate a plan.
“We came to a consensus of one that would be a beautiful addition to our recreational trails and to the area in general,” Langstraat said.
John Smith of Sibley would do the base work and brick pillars, and Raveling, Inc. of Melvin would construct the metal arch. The electric department has been contacted about adding soft lighting along the trail and on the arch.
Ackerman asked if there would be any expense incurred by the city for the electrical work. The trails association would purchase the lighting.
“I’m assuming that this is something that we would just do for the trail,” Ackerman said, in reference to the installation.
Work will begin once the building permit is obtained and Smith is available.
The council approved a motion to go forward with the project, help with the installation on the electric and forgo the cost of the building permit but still have them fill one out.
Planning and zoning administrator Steve Hallgren plans to canvass the city streets to pinpoint addresses with potential nuisances before sending out courtesy letters about the upcoming residential cleanup days.
“We’ll put in there what materials will be picked up, and there’s fees associated, what can be set out, what can’t be set out, and we’ll just very kindly ask that now is your opportunity to get rid of stuff on your property if you so choose,” Hallgren said. “Just trying to be a little proactive.”
He added that if commercial properties need to be cleaned up, he will note those while doing the town survey.
The month of May has already been busy for him, with notices about nuisance properties, zoning and parking violations, and a repeat nuisance property owner who will be fined if improvements don’t take place.
“I also sent a letter to the sheriff’s department. I got two complaint calls from people living along Fifth Street about an abundance of vehicles parking over sidewalks,” Hallgren said. “The sheriff’s department has been very, very cooperative about helping with the parking violations.”
While trying to stay ahead of issues, he added that the violation must be documented to proceed. City staff are encouraged to contact him with concerns.
“As long as it’s within public view, it can be deemed a nuisance,” Hallgren said.
He’s also working with the planning and zoning board about downtown design standards and will hold a public hearing on May 19. The standards are not new, but haven’t been strongly enforced.
OTHER BUSINESS:
During the May 9 meeting, the Sibley City Council also:
- Extended the cement plant lease to Aug. 1.
- Approved a rate study proposal from Dave Berg Consulting of Rosemount, MN, for $20,000 to review the water, sewer and electric rates. Water superintendent Cory Dykstra noted that this helps ensure that the city is charging the correct amount for services.
- Approved the purchase of two Surface Pro tablets for the parks and recreation and water departments at a cost of $6509.96.
- Tabled a discussion to the next meeting about installing heaters in the new airport hangers to allow time to check on rent adjustments and insurance before approval.
- Approved proceeding with a grant application for $300,000 to construct one new hanger at the airport with a total cost of approximately $380,000. If the grant is not fully funded, the city has the option to decline.
- Heard concerns from Julie Ackerman about needed improvements to a downtown building, progress on the downtown street project and maintaining the recreational trails.
