Milo council denies request to keep FFA livestock, approves wastewater and trail payments

At its Aug. 5 meeting at Milo City Hall, the Milo City Council voted to deny a request to allow FFA livestock within city limits and approved several payments and contracts tied to ongoing wastewater and trail projects.

The council unanimously approved routine business early in the meeting, including an amended agenda and a consent agenda that covered minutes from July meetings and accounts payable totaling $207,298.40.

On wastewater matters, the council acknowledged project progress notes from July 29 and approved monthly construction monitoring report No. 13 by motion. The council also approved a contract payment to Hall Engineering for $663.75. The Clerk reported that a $975,000 Iowa Finance Authority loan related to the wastewater project has been paid in full; a second loan linked to the project remains active but the transcript did not specify its amount or terms.

Councilmembers approved a $12,775.59 contract with McClure Engineering for trail construction engineering work. During that discussion, Councilmember Griggs said the Milo Lions Club is creating a trail name sign and that Williams Machine Shop and others have been contacted about fabrication and mounting.

In new-business discussion, the Clerk reported Peoples Bank is increasing checking interest from 1.25% to 3.25%. The council agreed to check whether the library could use the former city-hall television and approved purchasing an 18-by-18-inch Milo logo for $46 to mount on a community chair.

The council reviewed a bid for an internet bridge. Several members said the price appeared consistent with peer estimates; attendee Jonathon Edgington suggested seeking a second bid from a company identified in the record as A+ Communication (earlier remarks referred to the vendor as A+ Security). The Clerk was directed to obtain a second bid and to ask Emergency Medical Services whether it wants the internet bridge.

Residents James and Josie Edgington and Dailynn Phinney presented a petition asking permission to keep FFA sheep at the Phinney property inside Milo. Mayor Hall told the group the property is zoned residential and “the Milo Code of Ordinances does not allow livestock within the city limits.” After discussion, Councilperson Mason moved, and Councilmember Wadle seconded, a motion to deny the request except for livestock already allowed by city ordinance. The roll call vote was: Ayes—Wadle, Griggs and Mason; Abstain—Kinser and Rasmussen; Nays—none. The motion carried.

Mayor Hall also asked council to send code-enforcement concerns—including minors operating golf carts, motorists running stop signs, dogs running at large and parking violations—to Sheriff Carico and request patrol enforcement by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

During public comment, Bill Mason asked about survey stakes placed in his front yard for a stormwater update that was postponed because of RAGBRAI; Mayor Hall offered to meet with project personnel and said he expects the yard will be returned to its current condition. The meeting ended with a brief positive community remark from Councilperson Wadle and a motion to adjourn at 7:39 p.m.

The council’s actions on motions, votes and contract approvals were recorded in the meeting minutes; where agenda items referenced external funding or loans, amounts are included when stated in the record and otherwise noted as not specified.