Prairie City Council approves operational expenditures, sets April 2 public hearings

The Prairie City Council on March 12 approved a series of operational measures, moved several items to public hearing on April 2 and authorized interim staffing after a utility billing clerk resignation.

Council convened at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (with Zoom participation). Mayor Chad Alleger called the meeting to order; councilmembers Joe Disney, Phil Holland, Beth James and Deb Townsend were present and motions throughout the evening were decided by roll call votes and recorded as carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The council’s decisions commit roughly $21,519.53 for gate, fence and electric work at the wastewater treatment plant entrance, allocate $25,000 toward sanitary sewer infiltration and inflow repairs, approve park and facility fee increases that take effect July 1, and set public hearings that could change yard-waste rules and utility rates. Those items affect city operations, budgets and residents who use city facilities and services.

What the council approved

- Gate, fence and electric work at the wastewater treatment plant entrance: Council approved quotes from four vendors totaling $21,519.53 to be paid from sanitation, sewer and street department budgets. (Motion by Councilmember Deb Townsend; carried unanimously.)

- $25,000 for CIT sanitary sewer repairs: Council approved a $25,000 allocation to address infiltration and inflow issues and tabled further project work pending budget discussions. (Motion carried unanimously.)

- Bison Park firebreak for the Prairie Planting & Dog Park Plan: The council approved the firebreak option presented for Bison Park. (Motion by Councilmember Phil Holland; carried unanimously.)

- Rental rate increases (Resolution 3-12-25-2): The council approved new rental rates for city facilities effective July 1, 2025, including raising community building rentals to $150 per day without alcohol and $225 with alcohol; shelter and park rates were also adjusted. (Motion by Phil Holland; carried unanimously.)

- Final plans for S. Norris Street intersection: The council approved final plans as presented by Snyder & Associates for the S. Norris Street intersection. (Motion by Deb Townsend; carried unanimously.)

- Renewal of CIT Annual Service Agreement: Council approved renewing the city’s CIT Annual Service Agreement for a five-year term. (Motion by Deb Townsend; carried unanimously.)

- Interim utility-billing staffing: Following the resignation of the utility billing clerk, council approved an interim arrangement in which the deputy clerk from Colfax will assist three days per week at $25 per hour until the position is filled. (Motion by Deb Townsend; carried unanimously.)

- Direction on animal impound and fee schedule: Council directed Police Chief Kevin Gott to prepare a proposed fee schedule and pet-holding-area concepts for future council consideration. (Council consensus recorded.)

Items set for public hearing on April 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. at City Hall

- Ordinance 407 addressing rules for yard waste and tree debris disposal (set by motion of Deb Townsend). - Water, sewer and solid-waste rate increases (set by motion of Deb Townsend). - A loan agreement to purchase a front-end loader (set by motion of Joe Disney).

What the council did not decide

Council deferred action on water-tower interior repairs and painting pending a second quote and received plan options from MSA to extend sanitary sewer to Garden Square Park without taking action. The ambulance purchase was presented later in the meeting for discussion and will return with more information.

Next steps

Staff will provide additional details on insurance options at a special council meeting on April 2; the budget committee will meet with staff prior to that meeting to review the revised CIP and budget options.