As mentioned in previous posts, the city council has been working on an ordinance on keeping of chickens within the city limits. It passed the first of three readings at the last city council meeting.
In the Ames Tribune on Sunday, was a question to the Trib's "Ask The Tribune" column, about chickens in Ames. It pretty much applies to Roland as well, so I thought I'd link it HERE.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Email from City Hall
Earlier this year, the city council and Deneen at City Hall set up an email list, to send out infrequent news and information about events in the city. If you want on the list, just send an email to cityhall@cityofroland.org. Anyway, the first email went out today. I post it here, in case you are not signed up for the email list.
I have four (4) items to pass along to you today,
1st Item: Clean-up Day - Attached is the information regarding the Fall
Clean-up day with Midwest Recovery. The flyer details what they will pick
up and what they won't and the cost associated with it, if any. If you have
items you'd like picked up, you can call them at the number listed on the
bottom of the sheet or let us know at City Hall and we'll let them know.
2nd Item: Garbage Pick-up - Due to the Labor Day holiday, garbage pick up
will be Saturday, September 11th, instead of Friday, September 10th.
3rd Item: Tree Trimming - Harold will be checking for compliance beginning
September 13. Trees that overhang the sidewalk must be trimmed to 8'.
Trees that overhang the street and alley must be trimmed to 15'. Bushes
that encroach the sidewalks or alleys must be trimmed backed to 5'.
Compliance letters will be sent after September 13, giving property owners
one (1) week to get their trees/bushes trimmed. If they are not trimmed
accordingly, the City will trim them and assess the cost against the
property.
4th Item: Roland Code of Ordinances - You can now view and print Roland's
Code of Ordinances from the City's website at www.cityofroland.org
I have four (4) items to pass along to you today,
1st Item: Clean-up Day - Attached is the information regarding the Fall
Clean-up day with Midwest Recovery. The flyer details what they will pick
up and what they won't and the cost associated with it, if any. If you have
items you'd like picked up, you can call them at the number listed on the
bottom of the sheet or let us know at City Hall and we'll let them know.
2nd Item: Garbage Pick-up - Due to the Labor Day holiday, garbage pick up
will be Saturday, September 11th, instead of Friday, September 10th.
3rd Item: Tree Trimming - Harold will be checking for compliance beginning
September 13. Trees that overhang the sidewalk must be trimmed to 8'.
Trees that overhang the street and alley must be trimmed to 15'. Bushes
that encroach the sidewalks or alleys must be trimmed backed to 5'.
Compliance letters will be sent after September 13, giving property owners
one (1) week to get their trees/bushes trimmed. If they are not trimmed
accordingly, the City will trim them and assess the cost against the
property.
4th Item: Roland Code of Ordinances - You can now view and print Roland's
Code of Ordinances from the City's website at www.cityofroland.org
Monday, August 23, 2010
City Council meeting Aug 23
We moved the City Council meeting to the Community Center tonight for a larger than normal expected crowd. And indeed it was a bigger crowd.
First I'll mention the things that I assume the crowd wasn't there for. We had a brief discussion mention about trees hanging over streets and sidewalks. On a check a couple weeks ago, approximately 200 homeowners in town had a tree or trees hanging low over their sidewalk or street. It is the responsibility of the homeowners to keep that trimmed. So if you haven't done so lately, you may get a notice for the city requesting you to do break out the snips.
The council approved the loan agreement so the city can begin work on the Arthur and Bryan street extensions.
The council approved a new ordinance setting all city park hours from 6AM to 10:30PM. We had some issues with noisy users of our parks into the wee hours. They weren't necessarily causing problems, other than being noisy. But we wanted to make sure we had a tool to help the sheriff's department move people along if they were getting a little noisy.
The council approved the first reading of the ordinance allowing "urban chickens". If you are interested, stop by city hall to read it. It has not had final passage yet, as this is something we wanted to make sure the citizens had an opportunity to weigh in on before final approval.
Those were some of the issues that we discussed. However, what most were there for was to discuss issues they had with flooding, sewer backups, and water in the basements.
Though we had a good idea on some of the issues, it was nice to hear from folks who came out, told of the issues they had, and offered potential solutions. We also had our city engineer on hand to take notes, and offer insight on some of the things he had looked at so far.
Hearing some of these things, we couldn't really make immediate decisions on solutions. But this was a good first step in hearing the problems, and getting the info to find out what we can do, and how much it is going to cost. We had a couple homeowners telling of the decisions they are going to have to make, based on the decisions we make as a city council. Mainly, if it is likely they are going to flood again soon, and if the city is going to do any mitigation of future heavy rains, that they may not want to rebuild or refinish their basement. And that is fair thing to ask by a homeowner.
So we requested our city engineer to get us some info on these various wet spots, and see what we can do. His initial ideas is that the items on the north side of town might be a little easier to prevent, on the west side, more costly.
So we are going to have him visit with us at the next council meeting, and let us know our options.
First I'll mention the things that I assume the crowd wasn't there for. We had a brief discussion mention about trees hanging over streets and sidewalks. On a check a couple weeks ago, approximately 200 homeowners in town had a tree or trees hanging low over their sidewalk or street. It is the responsibility of the homeowners to keep that trimmed. So if you haven't done so lately, you may get a notice for the city requesting you to do break out the snips.
The council approved the loan agreement so the city can begin work on the Arthur and Bryan street extensions.
The council approved a new ordinance setting all city park hours from 6AM to 10:30PM. We had some issues with noisy users of our parks into the wee hours. They weren't necessarily causing problems, other than being noisy. But we wanted to make sure we had a tool to help the sheriff's department move people along if they were getting a little noisy.
The council approved the first reading of the ordinance allowing "urban chickens". If you are interested, stop by city hall to read it. It has not had final passage yet, as this is something we wanted to make sure the citizens had an opportunity to weigh in on before final approval.
Those were some of the issues that we discussed. However, what most were there for was to discuss issues they had with flooding, sewer backups, and water in the basements.
Though we had a good idea on some of the issues, it was nice to hear from folks who came out, told of the issues they had, and offered potential solutions. We also had our city engineer on hand to take notes, and offer insight on some of the things he had looked at so far.
Hearing some of these things, we couldn't really make immediate decisions on solutions. But this was a good first step in hearing the problems, and getting the info to find out what we can do, and how much it is going to cost. We had a couple homeowners telling of the decisions they are going to have to make, based on the decisions we make as a city council. Mainly, if it is likely they are going to flood again soon, and if the city is going to do any mitigation of future heavy rains, that they may not want to rebuild or refinish their basement. And that is fair thing to ask by a homeowner.
So we requested our city engineer to get us some info on these various wet spots, and see what we can do. His initial ideas is that the items on the north side of town might be a little easier to prevent, on the west side, more costly.
So we are going to have him visit with us at the next council meeting, and let us know our options.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday City Council Meeting in the Community Center
Just a note about Monday's City Council meeting. With an expected larger crowd to discuss flooding issues, we have moved the city council meeting to the Roland Community Center. The meeting starts at 6. HERE is a link to the agenda.
Flood cleanup supplies at City Hall
Late on Friday, the city received some flood cleanup kits donated from the American Red Cross and the Church of Latter Day Saints. I realize it is a bit past our flood, but maybe they could still be of use to you. I do believe they will be distributed on a first come/first served basis at City Hall on Monday. Contact City Hall on Monday for more info. I think there are 14 kits.
Roland Business mentioned in the Tribune
Nice article about one of Roland's businesses in the Ames Tribune. Boyd Software Company was featured in an article about companies in the Technology Association of Iowa. HERE is the link.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Library Foundation news
Got an email from Britany at the Library Foundation with some news on the property they own, which is best known as the old Heart of Iowa Co-op administration building (right across the street from the Fire Station)
They have voted to remove the building, in agreement with the decision by the library board not to use that building.
There are currently discussions with the Fire Department to use the building for fire practice, and burn it down, but to allow Fire Department training while doing so. Sounds like a great idea to me.
The Library Foundation has done some great things here lately. They purchased a new computer pod for the library, and are currently working on purchasing an overhead projector for library use.
And I know there is some confusion about the difference between the Library Board and Library Foundation. The Library Board members are on an official city organization, with the members appointed by the mayor. They approve the budget, set policy, and things like that.
The Library Foundation is a group of interested citizens who raise money for use for the betterment of the library. This group also purchased some amount of the furnishings for the new library. I, as mayor, have no control over board makeup, or what decisions it makes.
If you look at the Heart of Iowa property, you will see a sign from the Foundation touting that location as the future home of the library. And indeed it can be. If Roland continues to grow, and the demand for library services increase, that is a super spot for a library. Is it going to happen this year or next? No, but certainly an option as we go forward.
They have voted to remove the building, in agreement with the decision by the library board not to use that building.
There are currently discussions with the Fire Department to use the building for fire practice, and burn it down, but to allow Fire Department training while doing so. Sounds like a great idea to me.
The Library Foundation has done some great things here lately. They purchased a new computer pod for the library, and are currently working on purchasing an overhead projector for library use.
And I know there is some confusion about the difference between the Library Board and Library Foundation. The Library Board members are on an official city organization, with the members appointed by the mayor. They approve the budget, set policy, and things like that.
The Library Foundation is a group of interested citizens who raise money for use for the betterment of the library. This group also purchased some amount of the furnishings for the new library. I, as mayor, have no control over board makeup, or what decisions it makes.
If you look at the Heart of Iowa property, you will see a sign from the Foundation touting that location as the future home of the library. And indeed it can be. If Roland continues to grow, and the demand for library services increase, that is a super spot for a library. Is it going to happen this year or next? No, but certainly an option as we go forward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
