Donovan resigns from Estherville council
Names sought to appoint to seatby David Swartz - Managing Editor
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Lori Donovan, recently re-elected to the Estherville Ward 4 council seat, submitted her resignation prior to the start of Monday's city council meeting.
In her letter to council, Donovan cited personal reasons for her decision.
"My time on the council has been very enlightening," she stated in her letter. "I wish the best for Penny (Clayton) and the City of Estherville."
Council made no official decision on what to do about the vacant seat. However, the consensus was that they will look for someone to appoint to the position until the next city election in two years (2011).
Current city councilmen John Wittneben and Dave Seylar were appointed to fill vacant positions before being elected.
Ward 4 encompasses most of Estherville south of Central Avenue, with a zig-zag boundary on the east edge starting with the first two blocks South 17th Street, south of Central Avenue.
Anyone wishing to fill the council seat must be a resident of Ward 4. Interested persons can submit their name to city hall for consideration.
New ordinance
prohibits indoor
furniture being outdoors
The council approved an ordinance forbidding exterior use and storage of household furniture and appliances.
The ordinance states, "It is unlawful for any person to store or use furniture or appliance upon an unenclosed porch, balcony, patio, roof, yard, walkway or driveway when such furniture or appliance is not designed or manufactured for outdoor use Unenclosed porches shall not include any porch completely covered by roof and completely enclosed by glass and/or screens."
New home construction grants extended
The council extended both the Carrico Heights' Lot purchase rebate program and the New Home Construction Grant program for another year.
The Carrico Heights incentive offers up to an $8,000 grant for constructing a new home in that subdivision.
The New House Construction Grant offers various grant amounts depending on the value of a new house built anywhere in Estherville.
In making the motions to extend the grants, councilman Gene Haukoos also directed city officials to keep looking for other housing options too.
In other housing business, the council approved the abatement of a house at 301 Eighth Ave. N. Council directed city attorney David Forsyth to contact the owners and come to some resolution.
Also, council authorized the acceptance of the low bids submitted for repairs to two homes approved to receive the Housing Rehabilitation Grant funds. Council approved one bid from Larry Graves of Dream Builders of $25,699 and a second from Johan Funk of Funk Construction of $30,050.
City administrator Penny Clayton said they are the seventh and eighth projects completed through the grant that originally provided enough money for 10 houses.
"But most have come under budget, so we may have enough money to do an extra house," she said.
In other business, council:
n Approved a change order on the 2009 street resurfacing project that decreases the cost by $1,200.
n Approved the exterior remodeling plans and sign permit application for 714 Central Avenue (Lavanderia Laundromat).
Also, Mayor Lyle Hevern appointed Tom Grems to the Cable Commission.
