AROUND MAQUOKETA AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 2003

by Judy Carr  

The Maquoketa City Council met on Tuesday, February 4^th to review the proposed FY 2003-2004 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as presented by the City Manager and the department heads.  

After discussion, Council members voted to approve the FY 2003-2004 Preliminary Budget and Capital Improvement Plan or  CIP as presented.  

The budget will keep the same tax rate of $11.30/$1000.  Keeping the same tax rate will generate $1,458,857 in general fund tax revenue which is $22,942 more than what the $11.30 rate generated in the the current fiscal year.

The City Council set Monday, March 10, 2003 as the public hearing date regarding the proposed FY 2003-2004 Budget and CIP.

City staff has also been working on converting the chart of accounts for the City.  The State of Iowa is requiring cities to convert the account numbering system and to change from four programs within the budget to nine programs.  This process is now complete so staff can continue with the State forms for the 2003-2004 budget.

On February 3^rd, City Council members approved the third reading of a property maintenance ordinance.  This ordinance is being adopted to help city officials deal with properties that appear to be a nuisance because of health and safety issues.  This ordinance will allow officials to issue an abatement for anything that can be seen from the outside of the property or from the inside with the owner's consent. 

The City is seeking volunteers to serve on an advisory committee for the official enforcement of this ordinance.  The committee will be consulted in cases where questions may arise.  Citizens will also be given the opportunity to appeal any abatement to the City Council.

Upon recommendation from the Utilities Committee, the Council voted to approve an engineering contract with Snyder & Associates for a study to deal with the radium in the water.  The contract cost is not to exceed $15,500.  When the study is done, the Council's Utilities Committee will review options on how the City can deal with this issue.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment has had two meetings regarding requests for parking variances.  The Hutton Company has applied for a variance for a proposed Family Dollar Store to be located in Westgate Plaza .  This variance has been granted, and the Planning & Zoning Commission will be meeting to discuss a re-subdivision of property related to the store.  The request is to divide one lot in Westgate Plaza into two lots to give Family Dollar enough property for the store and the parking.

Fresh Brands Distributing Inc. has also applied for a parking variance to the parking requirements.  They plan to build a grocery store, convenience store and hardware store in Westgate Plaza .

Each parking variance requested the Zoning Board to require fewer parking spaces than are required by City ordinance.