City to consider West 18th storm shelter

Fairgoers could have additional shelter and a safer route to the Clay County Fairgrounds under a proposal that will be considered by Spencer City Council members at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday night.

Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen is requesting authorization to send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a proposed storm shelter on West 18th Street.

"The storm shelter, when not in use, could be used as a method for individuals to cross West 18th Street from the fair parking area to the Fairgrounds itself ..." Fagen wrote in his memo to council members. "The idea of providing for an alternative for crossing West 18th Street has been in discussions for sometime."

Fagen and Clay County Fair Manager Phil Hurst recently attended a training on safe rooms, or storm shelters. In that training, they encouraged projects that can be used for more than just the storm shelter.

"Potentially there could be funding for up to 85 percent of the project," Fagen wrote. "Representatives from the fair, county and the city have been in discussions with Ted Kourousis from Northwest Iowa Planning & Development on the merits of this project. Kourousis or a representative will be on hand to discuss plans Monday night in more detail.

In another agenda item, Quality Refrigerated Services is trying to expand its business by seeking permission to use the city's railroad spur. As part of the process, council members will be asked to retain Des Moines attorney James L. Pray, who works for a firm that specializes in railroad issues.

Council members also will be asked to approve a change order for the $400,000 Spencer Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse Project. The request calls for a total increase of $7,411, primarily for the fire alarm system.

In a related matter, city council members will consider an "outdoor service areas" ordinance change to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the municipal golf course.

Council members will also consider a change in policy for city record retention, investments, cash management and financial management. The restructuring will have no affect on the city's bond rating. Fagen said it will save several hours of staff time as well as a decrease in the number of audit hours thus reducing our annual cost for the audit.

In other possible action, council members are expected to finalize a city code change relating to communication towers. The change calls for liability to be set at $1 million for companies that erect a tower within city limits.