Next step taken in city square development
Members of the Imperial city council accepted terms of a Community and Civic Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) grant in action Monday night.
The state grant of $14,000 will be matched by $14,000 in local dollars to fund a feasibility study on development of city square between 7th and 8th Sts. on Broadway.
The full block area includes the city office complex and Lied Imperial Public Library.
Initial plans hope to pave the parking area with concrete, add shade structures and a small stage. Community input meetings and an online survey will take in additional suggestions from residents, said Tyler Pribbeno, the city’s community development director.
After the planning process and conceptual drawings are finished by year’s end, Pribbeno said they hope to present final plans to the council early next year.
If the council chooses to move forward then, the city will apply for another CCCFF matching grant for the actual work.
In other business, a bid for roof replacement over the city council chambers from Schultz Construction was approved. The bid of $34,735 includes removal of the existing Duro-Last membrane system including temporary coverings and replacing it with a new system. The roof was damaged from hail and is covered by insurance, said City Administrator Jo Leyland.
On a unanimous vote, a resolution on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requested by Steve and Laurie Owens was approved. It allows them to operate a skin and hair salon at their Imperial residence.
No action was taken on a survey tract of land adjacent to South Street but outside city limits. A sale is pending on 6.19 acres of ground south of Imperial Auction Market. City Attorney Josh Wendell recommended acquiring an official survey for the water easement from there to the transfer station. During the title search, Leyland said no easement for that was found.
The council also discussed the possibility of a free dump day at the transfer station this summer. No action was taken.