Mac Council approves permits as building goes on in City

The McIntosh City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the McIntosh Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Toby Strom and all members of the Council were present.

There was a determination of Quorum, agenda additions were added and minutes were approved.

Mark Dietz and Sarah Reese from Polk County Public Health were present to contract with the City for Leasing space in the basement of the Bjella building for Polk County Nursing, which currently had its offices across the street from the Bjella building. After review of the contract their council and Polk County Public Health agreed to accept a contract for lease for 3 years beginning on July 1, 2015.

Polk County Public Health was also interested in some office space that Marial Harbor presently uses for storage. Marial Harbor has agreed to relinquish the space so that Polk County Public Health is able to use it as an office area. For doing this the council agreed to adjust the rent and the lease for Marial Harbor accordingly. 

Lisa Newton from East Polk Soil and Water Conservation District was present to show interest in the upstairs office at the Bjella Building which currently is vacant. They SWC currently uses the space as a break room and a meeting room, so should someone be interesting in renting the space, SWC would like to be considered first.

After discussion of a sewer collapse for one of the current rehab loan holders in the city the council agreed to rewrite the loan due to the resident’s history of making timely payments.

The Council agreed to accept a donation from the Beito foundation for $800 for McIntosh beautification projects. The money will be passed to the Community Club who recently planted and placed flower pots on the main street in McIntosh.

The council accepted and agreed to the resignation of MacMaids by mutual termination of their contract on June 15, 2015.

There was a discussion and approval of the change of several streets to avenues by the County. The streets that will change into avenues are, Mill Street, State Street, and Jackson Street. 

As these roads run north and south, typically they are considered avenues and the change will provide ease to emergency personnel in the future.

There was an approval from all members of the Council to replace the microwave at the Community Center kitchen. The new microwave will be up to code and is part of the ongoing project to update the facility.

The council discussed community projects and what projects should be priorities. They agreed that the updated to the Community Center kitchen for public use, paving and fixing the city streets that are in need of repair, updating the parks and playgrounds in the city and installing a basketball court for youth.

Chris Thorson from Ulteig Engineering was present at the meeting and the last paving job, from the sewer and water upgrade project two years ago was discussed.

There were building permits approved for Nick Schmit to build a shop on his property, John and Cindy Lecy to add a porch addition onto their home, and Lindsay Haaven to fence in her property.

Staff and council reports were given, monthly bills were approved and the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting of the McIntosh City Council will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the Community Center.