Council hears wastewater facility and TIF updates; staff recommends delaying planting until repairs are done

Council members received project updates on May 19 that included a planned tour by GroTec and their machinery supplier, pending TIF language, and staff advice to delay planting on city-owned fields until irrigation repairs are completed.

Staff said GroTec and a machinery supplier will tour the wastewater area next week and that the city attorney is drafting TIF language. Staff noted that passage of a TIF would require the city to discuss revenue-sharing with the school board within 45 days. “It would require us within 45 days of passing it to have a conversation with the school board,” staff said.

Separately, staff described repairs needed in the irrigation field connected to the wastewater system and asked council to consider postponing planting so repairs would not force destruction of newly planted crops. Staff reported the farmer said he could hold off planting for a year if asked. Council members agreed it would be prudent to complete repairs before allowing new planting on affected fields.

What’s next: Staff will continue negotiating TIF language with the attorney, arrange the GroTec tour, and coordinate with the grower about holding off planting until the irrigation system is repaired.

Quotes from the meeting: “It would require us within 45 days of passing it to have a conversation with the school board,” staff said about TIF timing.

Ending: The council asked staff to return with the TIF draft when available, to notify the grower about repair timing, and to schedule the GroTec site visit.