The Sioux Center City Council met in regular session Monday afternoon, starting early to receive department reports from Sioux Center Recreation & Arts, the Parks Department, Centre Mall, Police Department, and the Sioux Center Gas Department. After the reports, city council ratified two officers to the Sioux Center Police force. Landon Slechta, who has been serving as a reserve officer will move from the Electric Department into full time police service, and 14-year police veteran Josh Koedam will now serve as School Resource Officer for both the public and Christian schools in the community. Interviews are being conducted to hire a new officer.
As part of the development and infrastructure of the Brookview Addition and the development of 13th St. and 2nd Ave. SE, the city council approved the issuance of capital loan notes to pay for the project, and authorizing American State Bank as the paying agent to execute the agreement,.
Three resolutions were approved to finance the Meadow Creek Water Quality Restoration Project, the retention pond to be located by Sioux Center Health and Woodbridge. Construction will start this spring on the project, with a target completion date of this fall.
Two resolutions authorizing inter-fund loans and internal financing were approved to pay for sewer projects being completed and to repay funds used for the Heritage Village move.
Council held the first reading of a water rate increase, that if approved, will increase Sioux Center water rates between 6 and 8% this summer, and the same amount in 2024. The study cites ongoing capital costs for new pipe installation, pipe replacement, system improvement, preparations for costs associated with a new water tower, Lewis & Clark water costs, inflation, and lower water usage due to water restrictions during drought. It was also noted that Lewis & Clark water will begin flowing into Sioux Center homes this week, either Wednesday or Thursday.
Phase 1 construction on the Highway 75 project started Monday as crews placing cones and barrier, preparing for utility work, and delivering construction supplies along the phase one route that stretches from 20th Street SE to 13th Street SE. It was noted that at 20th Street SE, a temporary traffic signal will be erected to help with traffic control there. In addition to Phase 1 work, spot overlay work will begin soon to temporarily repair highway 75 from 9th St. SE north to Pella Corp.
City council ended the meeting in Executive Session.
