La Porte City BID board approves snow-removal payments, planter-watering contract and clock-motor work

The La Porte City Business Improvement District (BID) board at its March meeting approved several routine maintenance payments, authorized reimbursement for clock motors bought earlier, selected a contractor to install replacement clock motors, approved a planters-watering contract and discussed targeted tree removals along downtown streets.

The actions reflect routine upkeep of downtown assets — from snow removal to the public clock and seasonal planters — and implement previously approved purchases and grant-funded tree work, board members said.

Committee and financial items led the meeting. The board approved payment of three snow-removal invoices submitted by Amy of Oakville Properties, covering work on Feb. 13, Feb. 15 and Feb. 17; the amounts cited in the meeting were $2,610, $22,610 and $2,960, and the board carried a voice vote to pay the invoices.

Board members then addressed a previously approved purchase of two clock motors from Electric Time. A board member presented a receipt and asked the board to approve reimbursement to the credit card used to buy the motors; the transcript records the requested reimbursement amount as "$3.55 35" (amount not further specified in the record). The board moved and approved a claim to reimburse that payment; the procedure for completing a claim form and securing signatures was discussed as a next administrative step.

The board reviewed written installation quotes for replacing the two clock motors. Two vendors returned bids: Marquise Electric (transcript quotes show a per-motor figure given as "$7.84" and a two-motor install price shown as "$1,297") and Continental (per-motor and two-motor figures recorded as "$4.25" and "$7.80," respectively, in the transcript). Board members said they had used both companies previously and, noting the cost differences presented, moved to hire Continental to perform both engine replacements; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Members discussed handling of the functional motor removed during replacement. A board member said the motor currently keeps correct time and hoped it would be removed carefully and kept as spare parts; another said the removed motor would be stored in Jamie's office.

The board discussed tree maintenance and removals. Members reported that Bradford pear trees along some downtown streets have reached the end of their lives, per the city arborist, and that one business owner (Susan at Fresco, located behind City Hall) has requested removal of a tree. The city’s street department and a tree-grant lead (Tucker King) indicated that the grant covers removal or pruning in the census tract, meaning the BID would not bear the cost; board members said they would seek permission to remove Susan’s tree and remain cautious about broader removals until a long-term replacement plan is in place. No formal vote to remove trees was recorded; discussion and direction to seek permissions and plan replacements were the outcomes recorded in the transcript.

On downtown landscaping, the board approved a watering contract for downtown planters presented by Amy of Oakville Properties. The board recorded that nine planters were being reallocated to the PAC Center and four planters at the train depot were being added, bringing the working count to 134 planters. The approved vendor rate is quoted in the transcript as "$4 per planter" (the transcript noted the 2024 rate was $3.85). The board discussed watering frequency and practice: last year the vendor watered 16 times, and staff said the program typically waters no more than three times per week when needed and that rain reduces the need for service. Board members approved the quote by voice vote and instructed staff to confirm the final planter count before invoicing.

Administrative items concluded the meeting with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Votes at a glance - Payment of Amy (Oakville Properties) snow-removal invoices for Feb. 13, 15 and 17 — approved by voice vote; transcript records "Aye" and "Motion carries"; tally not specified. - Approval of claim/reimbursement for two Electric Time motors (receipt presented; transcript lists payment amount as "$3.55 35") — motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified. - Selection of Continental to install two clock motors (installation of both motors) — motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified. - Approval of planter-watering quote (vendor/rate recorded as $4 per planter; planters count discussed as 134) — motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified.

No ordinances, statutes or formal resolutions were cited during these agenda items; the actions were routine contract and invoice approvals and administrative directions.