Spirit Lake: Comprehensive city plan reviewed
by Samantha Heerdt - Staff writerSPIRIT LAKE - Pat McNorton of the planning and zoning commission began the Spirit Lake City Council meeting Tuesday evening by introducing the 2009 comprehensive plan. The last comprehensive plan was made in 1998 and then updated in 2004.
Steve Hallgren, planning director for the Northwest Iowa Planning and Developing Commission, presented the council the proposal. Hallgren brought up several points of the plan, including parks, recreation and tourism, a housing analysis and 19 land use objectives.
Hallgren said they are incorporating the public's comments and ideas into the plan. The current population of Spirit Lake is 4,646 and the projected population for 2040 is 6,370.
The overall community goals are the "substance of the plan," said Hallgren. Some of the goals include enhancing assets, orderly development of the land while utilizing resources, preserve and promote tourism and meet the needs and expectations of the citizens.
City administrator Mark Stevens said the council was not looking to approve the plan at the meeting. He would like to give the council more time to look at it and schedule work sessions down the road.
McNorton said the planning and zoning commission intends to revisit the plan every two years starting in 2011.
Mayor Blain Andera encouraged the council to "really dig in" to the document.
Hugh Lively of Rides, Inc., asked the council to approve the contract for transportation services. In a previous meeting, the council asked for specific figures regarding trips in the city.
The contract is $10,000, and council member Jeff Thee asked how they arrived at that cost. Lively said it was based on population and was set at that number before he started working for the company.
During fiscal year 2008, 35,861 rides were given in Dickinson County, compared to approximately 37,000 in Clay County. Currently, Spirit Lake residents pay $2.50 per ride while Spencer residents pay $4 per ride. Spencer pays $12,500 for Rides.
"Use in Dickinson County is very strong," said Ihrke. "It's a good service for our people."
The council approved the contract at the cost of $10,000.
Brad Beck of Beck Engineering, Inc., discussed the 11th Street reconstruction project with the council. Beck said approximately 98 percent of the plans are completed.
Council member Kevin Bice questioned how this project suddenly came before others, particularly storm sewers backing up on Gary Avenue and 13th Street. Stevens said the city has spent nearly $500,000 on the sewers over the past two years. "We've given that the highest priority," said Stevens.
Bice noted that he was not against the 11th Street reconstruction project, but wanted to make sure other important projects were not being overlooked.
The council set the public hearing date for the project for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
In other matters, the council:
n Approved the second reading of the ordinance amending taxicabs.
n Passed the ordinance 4-1 raising the speed limit on Hill Avenue south of the Presbyterian Church to 45 miles per hour.
n Accepted the bid from Kruse Pavement Solutions for random crack sealing on portions of Hill Avenue, in the amount not to exceed $20,000.
n Approved amendments to the employee manual.
n Reappointed Brenda Walsh to the Spirit Lake Library Board.
