Milford council approves Florence Park payments, sets rezoning hearing and extends house-moving deadline

The Milford City Council on June 8 voted to approve payments connected to the Florence Park renovation and 9th Street reconstruction, authorized an agreement with the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa, set a public hearing on a proposed rezoning and granted the owner of a house at 1217 17th Street an extension to move the structure.

Mayor Bob Clark presided over the meeting at the Community Center Board Room. The council unanimously approved the evening's agenda and the consent agenda, which included routine permits, liquor license renewals and the city's claims and payroll report; the claims report listed a total of $1,936,225.66 in payables and payroll. Notable line items called out in the clerk's report included a Park Planet Florence Park installation charge of $361,433.00 and a GO bond payment to UMB Bank of $1,213,198.75.

Park board member Logan Davids told the council there will be an open house for the Florence Park renovation project on June 17, with a dedication to the Blue Star Memorial followed by a community lunch. The council then approved an agreement with the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa (motion by Council member Chris Hinshaw, second by Council member Jantina Carney). Voting aye were Council members Chris Hinshaw, Jantina Carney, Shane Hoffman, Mac Arndt and Kyle Mohni.

The council also passed a resolution authorizing payment #2 to Van't Hof Concrete for the 2026 Florence Park Improvement Project Phase II (motion by Carney, second by Arndt) and approved payment #5 to Hulstein Excavating Inc. for the 9th Street reconstruction project (motion by Mohni, second by Carney). The claims report associated with the meeting lists a Van't Hof Concrete line item of $23,790.22 for Florence Park work and a Hulstein Excavating line of $5,043.93 for the 9th Street reconstruction project; council roll-call votes approving those payments were unanimous.

Council member Shane Hoffman moved, and Council member Mac Arndt seconded, a resolution to set a public hearing to consider a proposed rezoning; the motion carried unanimously. The resolution establishes the hearing but the transcript does not record the scheduled hearing date or additional details.

Resident Mark Engel reported he continues to work on arranging removal of a house at 1217 17th Street but said he has experienced setbacks related to his health. Council member Chris Hinshaw moved, and Council member Shane Hoffman seconded, to grant an extension for the house to be moved by July 31 and to require a signed agreement from the house mover within 14 days; the council recorded that if a signed agreement is not provided in that timeframe, Mr. Engel will convey the house back to the city by quit claim deed. The council directed City Administrator/Clerk LeAnn Reinsbach to contact the city attorney to prepare the necessary paperwork.

Before adjourning, council members discussed the possible installation of rubble strips at the 4-way intersection of 213th Avenue and A34/13th Street and were reminded of a joint meeting on June 16. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve agenda — motion by Shane Hoffman, second by Mac Arndt; unanimous. Motion to approve consent agenda — motion by Kyle Mohni, second by Shane Hoffman; unanimous. Agreement with the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa — motion by Chris Hinshaw, second by Jantina Carney; unanimous. Resolution authorizing payment #2 to Van't Hof Concrete (Florence Park Phase II) — motion by Jantina Carney, second by Mac Arndt; unanimous. Resolution authorizing payment #5 to Hulstein Excavating (9th Street reconstruction) — motion by Kyle Mohni, second by Jantina Carney; unanimous. Resolution to set public hearing on rezoning — motion by Shane Hoffman, second by Mac Arndt; unanimous. Motion granting extension for removal of house at 1217 17th Street to July 31 and requiring a signed mover agreement — motion by Chris Hinshaw, second by Shane Hoffman; unanimous.