Prestage fallout: Corridor leader announces steps to improve communication

In the wake of divided views about the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation’s work to bring  a large pork processing plant to Mason City, and concern that Clear Lake and Cerro Gordo County leaders were left out of discussion about the prospect, Corridor leadership has announced it will take measures to improve communication.

Corridor Executive Director Chad Schreck told Clear Lake City Council members Monday his organization plans to  immediately make city administrators from Clear Lake and Mason City, along with Cerro Gordo County Administrative Officer Tom Drzycimski, ex-officio members of the Corridor’s Executive Board.  Currently the Executive Board consists of five Corridor members.

Schreck added the group will also study potential changes to its bylaws to facilitate better communication.

“We want to ensure each city and the county know what’s being discussed,” Schreck told the Council.  “Adding three members to the Executive Board is one simple way to do that.”

On Tuesday, May 3, the Mason City Council rejected Prestage Foods of Iowa’s proposal to build a $240 million pork processing plant.  The vote was 3-3; a tie vote on a motion represents a loss.

Schreck told Clear Lake Councilmembers the Prestage proposal was “mothballed,” as far as he is concerned.  “That’s what the Mason City Council voted and we are following the Council’s lead.”

He added that he believes Prestage is looking elsewhere to build their facility.

Despite the Mason City vote, two persons still attended Monday’s meeting to tell the Council they believe Clear Lake should make a statement in opposition of Prestage.  Since their comments were made in the public forum portion of the meeting, the Council did not respond.  However, at earlier meetings Mayor Nelson Crabb shared a statement on behalf of city leaders saying the city has established a political precedent of opposing large scale commercial confinement operations within the Lake watershed and critical areas surrounding it.

Others critical of Prestage at previous Clear Lake City Council meetings also noted they felt the Council should be offended that it was not made aware of the Prestage proposal prior to its introduction to the public in Mason City.  Some urged the city to reconsider its involvement with the North Iowa Corridor.

Other business

In other business Monday night, the Council approved the lone bid received for its 2016 Street Resurfacing/Overlay Project.  Heartland Asphalt submitted the only bid for the work at $400,393.

The bid, combined with the cost of a professional services

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agreement with Veenstra & Kimm for the project, is slightly higher than the $416,00 budgeted for the project.  But, according to City Administrator Scott Flory, some modifications may be made to meet the budget.

Work on nine segments of streets, comprising about 23 blocks, plus one alley will begin within about one week.  The work is to be completed by June 30.

Public Works Director Joe Weigel also informed the Council that the 12th Avenue South bridge, which has been closed throughout the winter, could be open as early as next week.  Crews are expected back in town at the end of this week to finish the work, he said.

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