Council approves a package of routine contracts and reports, including wellness center credit and tree‑removal contract

The Denison City Council on Monday approved a series of routine contracts, a construction change order credit and annual financial reporting during its meeting.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Wellness Center change order: Council approved Change Order 1 from Jensen Builders reflecting a $20,000 credit to the Crawford County Wellness Center project. Staff said the credit will be moved to contingency and arose from reduced off‑site dirt hauling and revised site work specifications.

- Equipment maintenance: Council approved an equipment maintenance agreement with Marco Technologies LLC for the fire department.

- ISU pre‑agreement: Council authorized the city manager to sign a primary pre‑agreement with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

- Fireworks: Council approved a $20,000 proposal from JDM Displays for the July 3, 2025 fireworks.

- Tree removal: Council accepted a $7,940 bid from Lansing Tree Removal to remove 11 trees flagged as hazardous; the vendor must complete the work by June 2025.

- Sidewalk inspection program: Council approved a sidewalk inspection program that will begin certified‑mail notification (return receipt requested) to property owners; staff noted about 172 addresses are currently on the list and that postage costs may be significant.

- Development agreement: Council approved an updated development agreement with Denison Housing Developments LLC.

- Annual financial report: Council adopted the FY23–24 annual financial report required by December 1.

Votes and procedural notes: Several items were approved by voice vote or by roll call where recorded. On the wellness center credit, recorded votes showed a majority in favor with one recorded 'no' on that measure. For the sidewalk program and most procurement items, council adopted the recommendations without extended debate.

Why it matters: The approvals move multiple capital and maintenance projects forward, allocate modest contingency funds, and establish administrative programs (sidewalk inspection) that will affect property owners. The vote on the wellness center credit reduces project expenditures while shifting savings to contingency for other work.

What’s next: Staff will process the change order, coordinate tree‑removal scheduling with Public Works, mail sidewalk notices as certified letters with return receipts, and continue equipment procurement and grant closeouts as discussed.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):

- Wellness Center Change Order 1 (Jensen Builders, $20,000 credit): approved. Recorded responses called by name produced a majority yes; one member recorded a "no." (Recorded names called during the vote included Kernan, Sue Smith, Miller, Granton, Logan; tally: yes 4, no 1.)

- CDL training motion (operational/training funding): approved (see separate article for details).

- Development agreement (Denison Housing Developments LLC): approved by voice/roll call.

- Sidewalk inspection program (certified letters; ~172 addresses): approved by roll call.

- Tree removal (Lansing Tree Removal, $7,940): approved.

- Equipment maintenance agreement (Marco Technologies LLC): approved.

- ISU pre‑agreement (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach): authorized.

- JDM Displays fireworks proposal ($20,000): approved.

- Annual financial report (FY23–24): adopted.

Quote: "This will then be reflected in our contingency," staff said of the wellness center credit, describing how the $20,000 will be handled in project payouts.

Members adjourned after scheduling a planning session for December 17.