Altoona council authorizes $4.55M water loan, repeals TIF division and clears Summit Products expansion

The Altoona City Council on Sept. 3 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing up to $4,550,000 in State Revolving Fund financing for planning and design work on Water Treatment Plant No. 4, voted to repeal an ordinance that had allowed collection of Town Center tax-increment financing (TIF) revenue for 21 fiscal years, and approved a site plan for Summit Products’ Phase 3 expansion.

Finance Director Andy Lent told the council the public hearing held before the loan vote was required by state code and that the loan proceeds would be used for planning and design of the new water treatment facility, associated wells and mains. Lent said the loan will be repaid through water utility revenues. The council opened and closed the hearing with no public comment and then adopted the loan resolution by a unanimous roll-call vote recorded as 5-0.

The council also acted on an ordinance repeal related to the Town Center TIF district. Lent explained that, under state law, a city may collect TIF revenue from a district created after 1996 for 21 fiscal years; because that period has elapsed for the referenced district, the council repealed Ordinance No. 6-2-03#3 to release the increment valuation back to other taxing jurisdictions. The votes on the ordinance readings and on publication were recorded as unanimous (5-0).

Lorena Wasion of Snyder Associates presented the site plan for Summit Products’ Phase 3. She described demolition of a building north of the existing paint line and removal of the eastern half of the cold storage building as part of the expansion. Councilmember Boka moved to approve the plan subject to identified deficiencies; the motion passed 5-0.

The council approved a multi-item consent agenda that included Change Order #5 for Alliance Construction ($11,715) and Pay Application #9 for Alliance Construction ($303,711.34) related to the 8th Street widening project, acceptance of a public utility easement ($5,850), approval of an updated Emergency Operations Plan (August 2024), geotechnical services for Townsend Park water improvements, a standard agreement for the Altoona Public Works Facility, multiple event requests (Brightside Beer Mile on the Prairie Heritage Trail Sept. 6; Rails to Ales Oct. 6; Spooky Cross Oct. 26; Iowa State Cyclocross Championships Dec. 7), and several beer and liquor license items. The consent agenda and license approvals were adopted by roll call (5-0).

During the citizens’ request portion of the meeting, Andrea Morse of 815 21st Street SW asked for city permission to place a fence on city property; staff said they will review the request. A member of the public identified as Mr. Alvarez asked about information for Spring Creek food tents; the council did not take action on that item during the meeting.

Department heads provided brief updates, including representatives from Police, Fire, Public Utilities, Engineering, Community Development, Economic Development, Library, Human Resources, IT, and Finance. Councilmember Evans thanked the police department for assistance managing traffic near the 6th and 7th schools, and Mayor Dean O'Connor reported on a recent DART meeting.

A public hearing to consider amending Ordinance 47.06 (Camping) was set for Sept. 16, 2024. The council adjourned at 6:49 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Water revenue loan resolution — approved, roll call 5-0; Ordinance No. 6-2-03#3 repeal (readings and publish) — approved, roll calls 5-0; Summit Products Phase 3 site plan (subject to deficiencies) — approved, 5-0; Consent agenda including construction pay application and change order — approved, 5-0.