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Former IG resident chosen as Kansas City leader Pg. 6

O-A/BC-IG shuts out RV

‘Marvel Heroes’

with a score of 21-0

theme set for RV homecoming

Pg. 8

Pg. 17

Ida County’s Official Newspaper

Ð

Courier Ida County

Vol. 42, No. 37 Ida Grove, Iowa

w ww.idacountycourier.com

Wednesday,, September 13, 2017 Wednesday

IG council considers city hall updates, urban renewal agreement change

News GLIMPSE

❚ by MIKE THORNHILL

Benne s recognized as envir. leader Page 2

‘12 Angry Women’ drama in Holstein Page 7

Puzzles Page 7

New RV HS teachers Page 16

Upcoming Events IG Library Fundraiser Friday, September 15 11 am-1 pm Food Pride Parking Lot Ida Grove

Omelet Brunch Sunday, September 17 10:30 am-1 pm St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ba le Creek

HMH Aux. Bazaar Saturday, September 23 8:30 am-12:30 pm Horn Memorial Hospital Conference Center Ida Grove

Knights of Columbus Spaghe Dinner Sunday, September 24 4:30-7:30 pm Ida Grove Sacred Heart Catholic Church

3-Day Forecast Wed 9/13

84° | 60° Sunny

Thurs 9/14

87° | 65° AM Showers

Fri 9/15

85° | 65° Partly Cloudy

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ GoingsOnInTheGrove

Follow us on Twi er @IdaCoCourier

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Photo by: Deb Loger | Ida County Courier

New station: Dispatcher Arlene Nollen sits at one of the new workstations in the Ida County Communications Center. In May, the center was gutted and the jail door moved to the left in order for two workstations to be installed in the remodeled center. For more information and pictures, see page 5.

Holstein council discusses ATVs, golf carts, approves listing agreement ❚ by DEB LOGER

The Holstein City Council discussed changing the city’s ATV/golf cart ordinance during its meeting Sept. 5. Council members and city hall staff have received complaints about unlicensed drivers driving ATVs and golf carts around town. The city allows ATVs to be used coming from the farm outside of city limits to a point in town and back to the farm. The city code also states ATVs shall not be operated in the city between 1 and 6 a.m. except for emergency situations or for loading and unloading from a transport trailer. Current city code states golf carts are only to be used from home to the golf course and back.

Resident Perry Venteicher told the council he felt they were opening “a can of worms.” He said, “There is no enforcing the current ordinance. Golf carts are to only be used going from your home to the golf course and back, but you see them all over town.” Venteicher stated kids have been seen driving golf carts, ATVs and mopeds all over town illegally. Councilman Danny Gebers said, “We are thinking of requiring a sticker to use ATVs or golf carts around town; at least we are getting some revenue.” “We need to enforce what we already have, not add to the chaos,” said Venteicher. “How do you feel about

four-wheelers moving snow in town?” asked councilman Rod Regennitter. Venteicher suggested requiring a special use permit for snow removal or lawn care for $100. Councilpersons Mary Gross and Bonnie Stevenson said, “We need to talk to Wade Harriman and his deputies and have them enforce what we have.” After continued discussion, the council took no action on changing the city ordinance and asked that the item be put on the October meeting agenda. Martha Boyle was present to review a listing agreement for city-owned property at (continued on page 2)

The Ida Grove City Council discussed possible improvements to city hall and a change in the urban renewal agreement with the county Sept. 5. Assistant City Administrator Heather Sweeden asked for the council’s direction in regard to making improvements to city hall or possibly inding a new building to house city of ices. Sweeden noted she has received complaints about the appearance of the current building and the impression it makes to irst-time visitors to the city. She added complaints have also been received about the moldy smell inside the building. Sweeden noted, when it rains, water is coming into the community hall, possibly from around an air conditioning unit on top of the building. The council instructed Sweeden to contact local contractors to get estimates of the cost to do all the work to improve the building and an itemized list to make improvements in stages (paint, new carpeting, etc.). At this point, the city is asking for estimates only, to get an idea of the costs involved. If the city decides to pursue an improvement project, bids would be taken at a later date. The council tabled action on a request from the Ida County supervisors to amend the current Ida County urban renewal agreement in order to clarify language in the agreement. The county is requesting the city’s support to amend the agreement and include the Ida Grove Wind Farm #1 in the agreement in order to include wind turbines located within two miles of the city limits in a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) area. Property taxes from a TIF area can be used for spe-

ci ic purposes. In this case, the county is proposing the TIF funds be used for road, bridge and culvert improvements for the improvement of transportation infrastructure and the promotion of economic development within two miles of the boundaries of the said city. The council would like a clari ication on wording about the city’s involvement in any projects undertaken by the county within the city limits. The council would like to be able to approve such projects. The council would also like to know how including a county wind turbine TIF area would effect a TIF area already established by the city. County Engineer Jeff Williams noted the county is inalizing a list of projects it would like to undertake that would involve funds from a wind turbine TIF area. He noted a public hearing will be held on the proposed projects prior to the irst of the year, possibly in November. The council tabled action on the agreement for two weeks in order to get clari ication on the items about which it has concerns. The matter will be placed on the council’s Sept. 18 agenda for possible action. Whitney Francis-Simonson, outdoor swimming pool manager, and Chelsea Gross, rec center director, updated the council on the outdoor pool season. They addressed what went well this season and their goals and plans for next year. Gross said, overall, it was a “good year,” and the entire staff did a good job. Francis-Simonson noted there was an increase in the number of youth taking swimming lessons this year, due in part to offering evening lessons and changing the times of (continued on page 2)

Supervisors con nue wind turbine conversa on Ida County Board of Supervisors continued their discussion of inancial options, should a second phase of the Ida Grove wind turbine project come to fruition. Projects were also mentioned which may total $30 million. “We will be receiving the bridge inspectors’ report in a couple of weeks,” said Secondary Road Engineer Jeff Williams. Chairman Rhett Leonard mentioned an Ida Grove project that may be added. “We should consider asphalting the road to the conservation site at Moorehead Park. It gets a lot of traf ic,” said Leonard. Also discussed were improvements pegged for the county courthouse.

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Jeff Heil, a broker underwriter of Northland Securities of Minneapolis, Minn., attended the Sept. 8 supervisors’ meeting regarding Tax Increment Financing of the Urban Renewal Area (URA). “We’re working on our projects, list and still deciding how much to TIF,” said Williams. An amended URA must be approved by Ida County cities. Arthur City Council has acted positively on this, as well as Holstein, with Galva’s meeting on Sept. 11. “We would like to get this done by the end of the year before the state legislature goes into session,” said Supervisor Creston Schubert. Heil said this has been a long-standing con(continued on page 3)

Photo by: Amy Forbes | Ida County Courier

Sunflowers: Briaunna Ackerman, age six, of Ida Grove shows off her giant sunflowers that she planted from seeds that were included in the “Our Iowa” Magazine. Ackerman is the daughter of Dustin and Megan Ackerman.

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