Sheldon public meetings in 2020

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council will hold a public hearing and consider resolutions to advance costs for urban renewal projects at 104 N 3rd Ave and 1320 S 3rd Ave, along with other business. The agenda includes consent items, an audit presentation, and a water sales agreement. No major policy decisions are listed beyond these items.

• Public hearing and resolution for urban renewal cost advance at 104 N 3rd Ave (Parcel #0045820000)
• Resolution for urban renewal cost advance at 1320 S 3rd Ave (Crafton) clean-up
• Approve water sales to Clay Rural Water System (South Dakota)
• Approve Crossroads North pay request #4
• Liquor license renewal for Brady's Pub (1319 2nd Ave) and wine permit renewal for Stone River Gift Shop (2390 Park St)

The Sheldon City Council approved a 5-year water supply agreement to sell a portion of its Lewis & Clark water allocation to Clay Rural Water System in South Dakota, with a profit of 25 cents per thousand gallons. The council also accepted the FY19-20 audit, approved an updated Airport FAA capital improvement plan, and authorized cost advancements for urban renewal projects at the former Rec Bowl/Budd-Z's site and 1320 S 3rd Ave. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved water supply agreement with Clay Rural Water System (all ayes)
• Accepted FY19-20 audit presented by Winther & Stave (all ayes)
• Approved updated Airport FAA 5-year capital improvement plan (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4573 for urban renewal cost advancement at 104 N 3rd Ave (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4574 for nuisance abatement cost advancement at 1320 S 3rd Ave (all ayes)
• Approved consent agenda including $200,588.58 pay request to Vander Pol Excavating (all ayes)

Board of Adjustment

The Sheldon Board of Adjustment will hold a quasi-judicial hearing to review compliance with prior orders regarding trailers at 425 W 7th St. The board will check whether six trailers were removed by the August 31 deadline and whether Trailers #10 and #11 were fixed and re-occupied by December 2. This is a follow-up to hearings from July 9 and October 15. The meeting is largely procedural, with no new applications on the agenda.

• Compliance review for removal of Trailers #2, 4, 9, 13, 14 & 15 (deadline Aug 31, 2020)
• Compliance review of Trailer #10 (deadline Dec 2, 2020)
• Compliance review of Trailer #11 (deadline Dec 2, 2020)
• Possible fence variance request anticipated for next meeting (Feb 11, 2021)

The Sheldon Board of Adjustment followed up on a zoning enforcement case at 425 W 7th St, where owner Tom Mouw had missed prior deadlines to remove or repair trailers. The board voted unanimously to require utilities on by February 1, 2021 and occupancy by March 1, 2021 for trailers #10 and #11, with a municipal infraction and removal if not met. The board also approved the October 15, 2020 minutes and scheduled a February 11, 2021 meeting for a fence variance request.

• Approved minutes of October 15, 2020 (unanimous)
• Set Feb. 1, 2021 deadline for utilities on trailers #10 and #11 at 425 W 7th St (unanimous)
• Set Mar. 1, 2021 deadline for occupancy of trailers #10 and #11 (unanimous)
• Scheduled next meeting for Feb. 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council will hold public hearings and consider several items, including approving plans and bidding for 2021 street improvements, amending zoning ordinances for storage sheds, and ratifying police officer offers. The agenda also includes consent items like a DNR grant and a resolution for trail design fees, plus a public forum to recognize Elaine Boogerd's 35 years of service.

• 2021 Street Improvements: approve plans, authorize bid, set hearing (funded by TIF, bids due Dec 22)
• Zoning amendment for storage sheds in Arterial Commercial (public hearing, 1st reading)
• Zoning amendment for storage sheds in LI, HI & CR (3rd reading, changes convenience storage definition)
• Airport farm lease: ~103.7 acres, 3-year lease with Joel Hengeveld (public hearing)
• KIWA tower access easement from Western Avenue (public hearing)

The Sheldon City Council approved the plans and specifications for the 2021 Street Improvements Project, authorizing a bid opening on December 22, 2020, and setting a public hearing for January 6, 2021. The council also ratified offers to full-time police officer Dan Crawley and K-9 Officer Eric Meinecke, and approved zoning ordinance amendments for storage sheds in several districts. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved Resolution R20-4566 for 2021 Street Improvements Project, authorizing bid opening Dec 22 and public hearing Jan 6 (all ayes)
• Ratified offer to full-time police officer Dan Crawley (all ayes)
• Approved offer to Officer Eric Meinecke as K-9 Officer (all ayes)
• Approved first reading and waived second/third reading of Ordinance O20-3258, making storage sheds special exception uses in Arterial Commercial (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4567 for zoning amendment in Arterial Commercial (all ayes)
• Approved Ordinance O20-3259 and Resolution R20-4568 for storage sheds in Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, and Commercial Residential districts (all ayes)
• Approved second reading and waived third reading of Ordinance O20-3260 on floodplain management (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4569 for airport farm lease with Joel Hengeveld (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council will hold a regular meeting via Zoom to approve consent items and vote on several zoning ordinance amendments. Key decisions include second readings for rules on swimming pool fences and storage sheds, and a first reading for floodplain management updates. The council will also hold public hearings to vacate portions of W 11th St and Railroad Ave right-of-way for Ag Partners.

• Second reading of zoning ordinance amendment on swimming pool fences
• Second reading of zoning ordinance amendment adding convenience storage to C1 zone
• First reading of ordinance amending floodplain management provisions
• Public hearing to vacate and dispose of portion of W 11th St and Railroad Ave right-of-way for Ag Partners
• Public hearing to vacate portion of W 11th St right-of-way east of Western Ave

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved a development agreement, minimum assessment agreement, TIF application, and restrictive covenants for the proposed Cobblestone Hotel at Sheldon Crossing near Hwy 18/60. The council also approved the third reading of an ordinance amending urban livestock rules, and advanced first readings on ordinances regarding swimming pool fences and storage sheds. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved Resolution R20-4555 authorizing contract for development, TIF application, and restrictive covenants for Cobblestone Hotel (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance O20-3256 amending Section 55.05 on keeping livestock in city limits, third reading (unanimous)
• Approved first reading of ordinance on swimming pool fences, sent to second reading (unanimous)
• Approved first reading of zoning ordinance amendment on storage sheds, sent to second reading (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including police sergeant promotion resolution, K-9 fundraising resolution, and street vacation hearing dates (unanimous)
• Set public hearings for November 18 on street vacations and December 2 on storage shed zoning
• Approved new beer and cigarette permits for Crossroads Travel Plaza and renewals for Hy-Vee stores
• Received Planning & Zoning Commission report on residential small livestock raising

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council set a public hearing for November 4, 2020, on a development contract, minimum assessment agreement, and TIF application for a proposed 40-room Cobblestone Inn & Suites hotel, a $3.5M investment creating 14 jobs. The council also approved the second reading of an ordinance amending urban livestock rules to ban poultry, and administered the oath of office to a new reserve police officer. No action was taken after a closed session on potential real estate purchase.

• Set Nov. 4 hearing for hotel development contract, TIF (5-0)
• Approved second reading of ordinance banning urban poultry (5-0)
• Administered oath to Reserve Police Officer Tara Roorda
• Approved consent agenda including 28E agreement with Western Iowa Tech (5-0)
• Referred rights-of-way vacation requests to Planning & Zoning Commission
• Adopted equipment/service contracts with Premier Communications
• Authorized SCDC Christmas Festival use of Community Services Center
• Entered closed session for real estate purchase; no action taken

Board of Adjustment

The Sheldon Board of Adjustment approved a size and height variance for an accessory shed at 2350 E 9th St, despite work having started before approval. The board also approved Tom Mouw's request to keep trailer #11 and remove trailer #14 at 425 W 7th St, with a compliance deadline of 12/02/20. Both decisions were made by roll call votes.

• Approved maximum shed size variance at 2350 E 9th St (4-1, Wood nay)
• Approved trailer swap: keep #11, remove #14 at 425 W 7th St (unanimous)
• Set compliance deadline for trailer removal by 12/02/20
• Approved minutes of August 26, 2020 (unanimous)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved an ordinance amendment requiring a 4-foot fence with a self-latching door for any pool 3 feet or more deep, including water features but excluding hot tubs. They also approved an ordinance amendment allowing storage sheds in C1, LI, and HI zones, with requests going to the Board of Adjustment. The commission voted to remove the mechanism for individual livestock requests to go to the City Council and to work on a special exception process. The new FEMA flood maps were acknowledged as informational only.

• Approved 4-foot fence requirement for pools 3 feet or deeper, including water features, excluding hot tubs (unanimous)
• Approved ordinance amendment allowing storage sheds in C1, LI, and HI zones, with requests to Board of Adjustment (6-1, Vanden Hull absent due to technical difficulties)
• Approved motion to remove City Council mechanism for individual livestock requests and develop special exception process (6-1, Nuckols opposed, Vanden Hull absent)
• Acknowledged new FEMA flood maps effective December 17, 2020 (informational, no action)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council took no action on a request from AFSCME representative Preston DeBoer to approve a one-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations limited to wages. Council members discussed the timing and the health insurance issue, and Mayor Geels read a statement from absent Councilman Tom Eggers opposing the extension without negotiating the HSA contribution. The council did not vote on the request.

• Approved agenda as presented (all ayes)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, claims, appointment of Dean Fjeld to Planning & Zoning Commission, participation in NW Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund, and liquor license renewal for Brady's Pub (all ayes)
• Took no action on AFSCME one-year contract extension request
• Adjourned at 5:05 p.m. (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved a fireworks display for Sunday, September 6, 2020, from the NCC campus, overriding a prior resolution tied to cancelled events. They also allowed the NW Iowa Tractor Pullers to hold a tractor pull on September 5-6 at the Sheldon Tree Dump, pending insurance. The council entered closed session to discuss potential real estate purchase but took no action.

• Approved Resolution R20-4536 for fireworks display on Sept 6, 2020, overriding R20-4525 (all ayes)
• Allowed NW IA Tractor Pullers to hold tractor pull Sept 5-6 at Sheldon Tree Dump, pending insurance certificate (all ayes)
• Approved consent agenda including $32,031.34 final pay request for 16th Street project (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4534 for lot purchase for Thorman Lift Station (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4535 for engineering agreement for Thorman & NCC sewer lift stations (all ayes)
• Approved liquor license renewals for Crossroads Pavilion Event Center and Cooks Café/Langer's Bar and Grill (all ayes)
• Approved mayor's appointment of Diane Merley to Crossroads Pavilion Board (all ayes)
• Entered closed session for potential real estate purchase; no action taken

Cemetery Board

The Sheldon Cemetery Board approved sandblasting and repairing the south side arch, with the City Manager and City Clerk tasked to find funding. A proposal to allow up to three cremations per burial location was tabled. The board discussed but took no action on the land lease, signage placement, and other items.

• Approved sandblasting and repair of south side arch, with City Manager and City Clerk to find funding (all ayes)
• Tabled discussion on allowing up to 3 cremations per burial location (all ayes)
• Approved minutes from May 14, 2019 (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved a request to keep 3 hen chickens at 1014 Garfield Avenue, subject to a one-year review and revisiting if complaints arise. The council also approved using leftover wastewater treatment facility bond funds to construct new lift stations at NCC and Thorman Avenue. A $2.5 million General Obligation Capital Loan Notes item was removed from the agenda and will be brought back at a future meeting.

• Approved keeping 3 hen chickens at 1014 Garfield Ave (4-1, Hindt opposed)
• Approved use of leftover WWTF bond funds for new lift stations at NCC and Thorman Ave (unanimous)
• Removed $2,500,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes from agenda (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including new zoning map, SCAT team additions, and hiring Ray Brinkman as street operator (unanimous)
• Consensus to rent Community Building if Governor lifts proclamation by July 25, 2020
• Consensus to obtain title opinion on property at 104 N 3rd Ave

Board of Adjustment

The Sheldon Board of Adjustment approved a special exception for a relocated residential structure at 1023 Garfield Avenue, setback variances for storage units at 731 Russell Avenue, a sign height variance at 100 N Crossroads Drive, and a fence height variance at 622 8th Street. The board tabled a request for a pool cover instead of a fence at 2350 E 9th Street until the July 9, 2020 meeting. The board also set a public hearing for July 9, 2020 on an appeal of a zoning enforcement action at 425 W 7th Street.

• Approved special exception for relocated residential at 1023 Garfield Avenue (all ayes)
• Approved side yard setback variances of 30' east and 25' west at 731 Russell Avenue (all ayes)
• Approved sign height variance of 50' at 100 N Crossroads Drive (all ayes)
• Approved fence height variance of 5'4" at 622 8th Street (all ayes)
• Tabled pool cover request at 2350 E 9th Street until July 9, 2020 (all ayes)
• Set July 9, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. for public hearing on appeal at 425 W 7th Street (all ayes)
• Approved minutes of May 27, 2020 (all ayes)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Sheldon Planning & Zoning Commission approved the rezoning of the mobile home park owned by Kerwin & Kathy Sterler on South 2nd and South 3rd Avenues from AC and C1 to Mobile Home District (MH), consistent with its current use. The commission also approved the minutes from March 25, 2020, and recommended the updated zoning map to the City Council for approval by resolution after two pending re-zones are approved. Additionally, the commission discussed fencing requirements for private swimming pools and voted to have staff research the code while allowing discretion with current pool owners.

• Approved minutes from March 25, 2020 (all ayes)
• Approved rezoning of Sterler mobile home park from AC and C1 to MH (all ayes)
• Recommended updated zoning map to Council by resolution after pending re-zones approved (all ayes)
• Directed staff to research pool fencing code and use discretion with current pools (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to rezone 1401 S 2nd Avenue, and approved renewals for the city's property/casualty and workers' compensation insurance. The council tabled a residency policy change for city employees until a future meeting. A motion was passed to keep the outdoor pool closed for the summer if the Governor does not allow open swimming by July 1.

• Approved second reading of rezoning ordinance for 1401 S 2nd Avenue (all ayes)
• Approved insurance renewals with ICAP and IMWCA (all ayes)
• Tabled residency requirement policy for city employees (all ayes)
• Approved motion to keep pool closed all summer if no open swim OK by July 1 (all ayes)
• Approved setting September 14 for city cleanup start (all ayes)
• Approved consent agenda including claims, resignation, and resolutions (all ayes)
• Approved agenda with removal of liquor license renewal for Old 60 Steaks and Chops (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved the second reading of a water rate ordinance effective July 1, 2020, based on a DGR Engineering study. It also approved Resolution R20-4512 implementing new ambulance rates effective June 1, 2020, and approved the Wellmark health insurance renewal with all employees moving to an HSA plan starting July 1, 2020. The council approved amendments to contracts for deed on 1023 Garfield Avenue and 1401 S 2nd Avenue, extending rehab deadlines, and tabled the rezoning public hearing for 1401 S 2nd Avenue until May 20, 2020. No action was taken on hiring a Crossroads Pavilion Assistant General Manager.

• Approved second reading of water rate ordinance, effective July 1, 2020 (all ayes)
• Approved Resolution R20-4512 implementing new ambulance rates effective June 1, 2020 (all ayes)
• Approved Wellmark health insurance renewal; all employees switch to HSA plan with 10% contribution starting July 1, 2020 (all ayes)
• Approved amendments to contracts for deed for 1023 Garfield Ave and 1401 S 2nd Ave, extending rehab deadlines (all ayes)
• Tabled public hearing on rezoning of 1401 S 2nd Ave until May 20, 2020
• Authorized solicitation of bids to sell salvage rights for corn crib on S 5th Ave (all ayes)
• Approved consent agenda including pay request #21 to Hoogendoorn Construction for $19,150.00 for WWTP project (all ayes)
• Approved sending letter to Winther, Stave to continue as auditor for FY2019-2020 (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved a zoning ordinance amendment rezoning Parcels A and B of Outlot X in Sheldon Crossing Plat 1 to Arterial Commercial, reserving a sign regulation subsection for future use, and correcting the special exception procedure. It also approved the first reading of a water rate ordinance effective July 1, 2020, and approved an application for an Iowa DOT Airport funding grant for fuel farm updates. A rezoning request for the former Sunset Motel property was moved to May 6, 2020, with the hearing left open.

• Approved consent agenda including minutes, claims, financial reports, golf course and RIDES agreements, grass burn authorization, and zoning code assistance request (all ayes)
• Approved Iowa DOT Airport funding grant application for fuel farm updates (all ayes)
• Closed public hearing and approved Resolution R20-4509 amending zoning ordinance (all ayes)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance O20-3252, waiving second and third readings, for zoning changes (all ayes)
• Approved first reading of water rate ordinance effective July 1, 2020 (all ayes)
• Closed public hearing and approved Resolution R20-4510 for Urban Renewal Amendment #5 (all ayes)
• Moved rezoning of former Sunset Motel property to May 6, 2020, hearing remains open
• Adjourned at 5:07 p.m. (all ayes)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Sheldon City Council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, claims, beer and liquor license renewals, a resignation, and setting public hearings for April 15, 2020. The public hearings will address rezoning of two properties and amendments to the zoning code. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting also included reports on COVID-19 and economic development.

• Approved consent agenda including minutes, claims, and license renewals (all ayes)
• Approved beer permit renewal for Dollar General (consent agenda)
• Approved liquor license renewal for Stammer Liquor (consent agenda)
• Accepted resignation of Lori Anderson from Parks & Recreation Board (consent agenda)
• Set public hearings for April 15, 2020, on rezoning and zoning code amendments (consent agenda)