AROUND MAQUOKETA AS OF 4-8-03 by Judy Carr

The City will be holding the annual Board and Commission Members Banquet on Monday, April 28^th at the Eagle’s Club.  The City holds the banquet every year to honor all of the citizens that serve on various boards or commissions.  All of the time donated by the citizens of Maquoketa is greatly appreciated.

City Council members were notified that the City’s preliminary application for the First Time Home Buyers Rehabilitation Grant has been approved.  The City will have all of the information regarding this grant sometime toward the end of May.  Anyone interested in applying for grant funds can call City Hall around the last week in May for more information.

There is still one opening left on the newly formed Property Maintenance Committee.  Anyone interested in serving on this committee can contact City Hall.  There is also three openings on the Sidewalk Committee.  The City is seeking a resident from 1^st Ward, 2^nd Ward and 5^th Ward to serve on this Committee.

The Maquoketa Fire Department has asked Council to approve a grant application for new lockers at the station and for new exercise equipment.  Both items qualify for the FEMA Grant funds that are available.

The Maquoketa Police Department is requesting Council authorize applying for a grant for cameras for the squad cars.  The City’s share of this grant would be $2,070.

The City Council has set Monday, April 21^st as the public hearing date regarding the proposed budget amendment.  The City is doing a budget amendment because when the State of Iowa required cities to go from a four category budget to a nine category budget the different combination of funds caused the City to go over in two categories.  The amendment shows what funds went over the budgeted amount and shows that the City has the revenues coming in to cover the amendment. 

The Public Works Department will be opening all City Parks within the next two weeks as long as weather permits.  Employees are also working on cleaning up the swimming pool and making necessary repairs so that the pool will be ready to open for the swimming season.

City Hall will be upgrading computer software over the next several months.  The Payroll and Financial software will be upgraded the last part of April and staff will be trained on the software the last week of April.  Utility Billing software will be upgraded the last three weeks in August.

The Historic Preservation Commission is still selling personalized bricks that can be purchased by citizens and will be placed around the water fountain or the flower garden in front of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center.  The Commission is doing this as a fundraiser to raise money for future projects.  Interested persons can choose from a 4X8 brick with three lines of writing or an 8X8 brick with six lines of writing.  The smaller brick will be $50 and the larger brick is $100.  It will cost an additional $100 to add a logo.  This purchase is considered a tax deductible donation with proceeds going to the Maquoketa Historic Preservation Commission.  Please contact Elaine Potter at 563-652-3949 for more information.