City gives go-ahead to hire design firm for veterans memorial

Former water tower site eyed, but not yet chosen

The Clear Lake City Council agreed to enter into an agreement with Clear Lake V.F.W. Post 4868 to have RDG Planning and Design, of Des Moines, provide design services for a proposed veterans memorial at the former downtown water tower site.

Council members stressed they were not approving the site, but rather supporting creation of a conceptual design which will provide a visual for the amount of space a memorial would occupy.

“I think it is important to know the height, width, depth, how large, how much space a memorial would use,” said Mayor Nelson Crabb.

V.F.W. Commander Mike Nelson brought a proposal to the Council, asking for the City to front the $8,500 cost of RDG’s first phase.  If the conceptual design is approved and City leaders vote to locate the memorial at the water tower site, the City would also pay the $19,500 phase two cost for final design and construction.  Nelson said the V.F.W. would enter into a loan agreement with the City to repay the funds once its fundraising campaign for a memorial was underway.

Councilman Mike Callanan, who made the motion to approve the professional services agreement, said V.F.W. and Council members would continue to participate in the design process with RDG.

“As we have met over the last several months we agree we need a conceptual plan to move forward,” said Callanan.

Councilman Gary Hugi said he was opposed to using taxpayer money for the project, but voted in favor of an agreement with the V.F.W. for repayment.  In September, Hugi voted against the development of a plan for a memorial at the water tower location. At whatever time a specific location is proposed for the memorial, Hugi supports holding a public hearing to receive comment.

The Council approved entering into the concept design agreement with RDG and into a loan agreement with the VFW on a 5-0 vote.

Other business

In other business Monday night, the Council received the annual City Financial Report from City Administrator Scott Flory.  He told the Council the City continues to be in a very strong financial position.  Constitutionally, Iowa cities may have approximately $41 million in debt; however, the City of Clear Lake is one of the few cities in the state, if not country, with less than $6 million in debt.  “It’s an extremely proud moment,” said Flory.

Flory pointed out a number of factors which contributed to the City’s favorable financial report.  Those highlights included:

•Hotel-Motel tax collection ex-

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ceeded estimate by $12,600.

•Local Option Sales tax money exceeded estimate by $46,700.

•Building permits over estimate by $9,100.

•Ambulance fees underestimated by $24,700.

•Realized gain on forgivable loan from Clear Lake Sanitary District; Loan balance forgiven $31,800, interest paid under estimate of $3,300.

•Police fines over budget by $8,000.

•Variety of other financing sources impacted the report due to timing or actual costs.

The City also saved money through key personnel changes when interim leaders were named until directors were hired.  For example, police personnel was $118,000 under budget, library personnel was $18,000 under budget and public works was down $22,000.

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