Jennifer Fischer, Executive Director, Jones County Economic Development Commission JCEDC updated council on upcoming roundtables in July and August (details available on the web at jonescountyeconomicdevelopment.com) at the regular Anamosa City Council meeting July 24.

The focus of these roundtables is to offer networking and resources for business owners and community members addressing an environment for learning and improving youth and business opportunities.

Fischer presented a DVD movie that will be distributed during the September 2006 National Marketing Tradeshow in Chicago. The mini-movie, focused on the opportunities and prosperity of Eastern Iowa.

JCEDC Fiscal Year initiatives being targeted at this time are:

1) Existing Business and Industry Programs
Roundtables
Brochures
Seminars

2) Entrepreneurship
Starting your own business Roundtables
Establishing a Revolving Loan Fund

3) Marketing
PEI Membership
Jones County Brochure

4) Youth
Workplace Learning Programs

5) Communication
Web site enhancements
Newsletters
Annual Meeting

Final decisions on 2007 initiatives will be made by the board of directors in the coming month.
Council approved a motion to forward on to the county waiving the necessity of City review a plat of survey for parcel 2006-104 as filed by Doug and Nancy Ricklefs.

Public Hearing date for the annexation of Grant Ride Estates set for August 28 at 7 p.m.
Council members voted approval for City Administrator, Pat Callahan to confer with City Attorney and draft a development agreement with Grant Ridge Estates. This will include hydrant provision request submitted by the developer.

Council also authorized the City Administrator to discuss details of a proposed Civil War Commemoration event with Bob White/Robert Mitchell Camp # 206.

This event request was submitted by Robert Mitchell Camp # 206, 24th Volunteer Infantry and Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War and is planned as a Ghost Walk in Riverside Cemetery for the last Saturday in October.

Anamosa resident, Brett McLaughlin has applied with for the vacant seat on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. McLaughlin works as a building inspector in Johnson County.

Other items approved on Monday night’s agenda are as follows:

• Authorization of Public Works Department to purchase a new paint sprayer, purchase price not to exceed $4,200.00. Details first to be worked out with City Administrator.
• Lawrence Center improvement regarding the air quality condition in the Warner Room. Accepting the bid from Shaffer Plumbing and Heating for ductwork.
• Payment of bills for the month of July 2006.
• Partial pay request No. 2 to Taylor Construction for the Waster water disinfecting system for $49,538.96.
• Second reading of ordinance amending alcohol consumption and intoxication ordinance (Chapter 45 of the City Code) to coincide with Section 123.47 of the Code of Iowa.
• Third reading of ordinance requiring review of plats of surveys within corporate limits and permitting expedited waiver of review of plats of survey both within the corporate limits and within two miles of corporate limits.
• Second reading of ordinance amending compensation for the mayor and council member positions from annual compensation to quarterly compensation.

The City Administrator reported on several items including a tentative agenda for council’s special session on August 7 at 6 p.m. to include the Highway 64 East water main and sanitary sewer extension project timetable. Construction set to begin mid-September and completed by November 30, 2006.

Also added to the agenda is further work on the timetable for the proposed improvements to the wastewater treatment plant project and options of using the existing facility versus new construction.

Per discussion with council, Callahan will set up an October 2006 meeting with Linn County officials regarding building codes for commercial buildings in the City of Anamosa.

Citizen suggestions have come across the City Administrator’s desk recently. The first one being of elimination. That is, of traffic signals at West Main and Garnavillo Streets. This item was deemed inappropriate by council as a suggested four-way stop would cause severe safety hazards. Parking restriction on South Linn was the other resident suggestion as the block North of East Third Street is narrow and often congested with parked cars. Council is considering a “No Parking Zone” on the East side of South Linn.

Callahan along with a few council members attended a meeting regarding the Senior Citizen Building and somehow discovered that there is no apparent rental lease. The city owned building is now being provided on a “rent free” basis. Jones County provides some payroll and accounting services whereas a paid staff and volunteers operate the meal program. If no lease or agreement is found, the City of Anamosa will prepare a written agreement between the City and Jones County and bring the matter back to council for consideration.

A proposed franchise agreement with Alliant Energy has been submitted to the utility’s attorney for review and comment. It will more than likely be presented to the City Council for consideration in August.

Council member, Robert George made suggestion to the council for a tree planting program to replace dieing trees at Riverside Cemetery. Resident, Gloria Lea, offered Trees Forever and ISU Master Gardeners as resources for a possible project. Approval was made for the city to pursue a process of planting trees at the cemetery.

Monday night’s meeting once again ended with details of a closed session being unrevealed to the public. This has been an ongoing issue regarding the city’s acquisition of an east side urban renewal property.

Gary Puckett, of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap fame, and The Band performed Sunday night at The Great Jones County Fair.

At the meet and greet prior to the concert Gary shared his thoughts on how music had changed since he began his career, close to forty years ago.

“ Well, take a look at the music today. The music of our era had many, many different types of music. It’s a social statement and often times a personal statement.”