Real estate sale approved for relocation of TJ’s Pizza
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times
At its regular meeting April 6, the Monona City Council accepted the terms of sale agreement and moved to proceed with the sale of real estate to Bow Benders Enterprises for the relocation of TJ’s Pizza. The city property is by Family Dentistry Associates of Monona.
Currently located at 12781 Falcon Ave, along U.S. Highway 18 and 52, TJ’s Pizza plans to relocate due to the planned expansion of neighboring Kwik Star.
New landscaping at city hall, community center
The council approved a bid of $4,698.50 from Outdoor Creations to re-do the landscaping around city hall and the community center.
“It’s getting to be overgrown, and the edging is washing out,” said city administrator Barb Collins.
Work will include removing all shrubs, evergreens and perennials, as well as the black plastic edging, then installing new bullet edgers, laying weed barrier and covering it with river rock.
Street work approved
The council approved a bid from MB Construction to saw cut, core and refill holes on Darby Drive and Jim Buerger Boulevard. The holes will be filled with 1.25-inch road rock purchased by the city. The project will cost a combined $3,000.
Brush dump site gate will remain locked
The gate to the city’s brush dump site north of town will remain locked due to people illegally disposing other items at the site.
The gate had been left unlocked for the past few years, “and we hadn’t had a problem,” said Collins, but then garbage bags, furniture, windows and more started showing up within recent weeks. The actions prompted the city to lock the gate and require residents to check out a key from city hall if they want to access and dump brush at the site—a move the council upheld last week.
“We don’t have complete control. People can still give the key to a friend,” Collins said, “but at least there’s a way to track it.”
Utilities discussed in relation to COVID-19
The council approved moving forward with a 10 percent water service rate increase that was already part of a four-year plan to increase the city’s water rates. Members had discussed holding off on the increase for a few months due to COVID-19, but determined the amount would not drastically impede residents from paying.
The council also directed the city to continue applying utility late fees for the month of March and to continue placing door hangers, but not to shut off anyone’s water until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. At that time, water shutoffs will then be reevaluated, with payment plans set up in order to help people prevent having their water shut off. Council members will review the amount of late fees on a month-by-month basis to see if different action should be taken in the future.