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Pella council approves conveyance to Lighthouse LLC, awards community center contract and passes zoning changes
Summary
Council approved a property conveyance to Lighthouse LLC, awarded the $6.54 million community center renovation contract, accepted soccer complex improvements, authorized airport equipment purchase and passed two zoning ordinances in second reading.
The Pella City Council on Wednesday approved multiple routine and project‑level actions, including the conveyance of a small city remnant parcel to Lighthouse LLC, awarding a construction contract for the Pella Community Center renovation and adopting two zoning map changes on second reading.
City staff presented a proposed land exchange at the Bos London golf course area, explaining the city would convey a roughly 1,600‑square‑foot remnant parcel to Lighthouse LLC in exchange for a slightly larger remnant parcel the organization owns. Staff said Lighthouse LLC would pay platting and survey costs and would be required to attach the remnant to Lot 8 through a lot agreement to create a conforming parcel. Council closed the public hearing and approved Resolution 7076 authorizing the conveyance.
The council also approved Resolution 7077 to authorize the construction contract and performance bond for the Pella Community Center renovation project. Staff said the construction contract was awarded to Stall Construction in the amount of $6,540,000 with substantial completion scheduled for April 2027. Councilmember Brander Horse praised the milestone, noting that the project had reached a significant benchmark.
Council accepted public improvements for the soccer complex under Resolution 7079. Staff reported an initial contract near $764,000, one change order of about $27,000, and a final contract amount of $790,768.80; the engineer reported the project as substantially complete.
On public safety coordination, council approved a 280 intergovernmental agreement (Resolution 7078) that formally adds the city of Newton to the Central Iowa Regional Tactical Team; staff said the arrangement increases regional response resources.
For airport operations, staff reported a sole bid for snow‑removal equipment from Murphy Equipment at $440,716, below the engineer's estimate; council authorized the purchase and directed staff to submit FAA AIP grant applications (staff said FAA grants typically cover 95% of eligible costs).
Council also approved two zoning ordinance amendments in their second reading: Ordinance 1088 rezoning property at 1114 P Street (a Central College parcel) from institutional to R3 multifamily to reflect long‑standing use, and Ordinance 1089 rezoning 406 West 4th Street from R2 to R3. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for both requests.
Several of the actions passed by voice and roll call during the meeting; where available staff noted roll‑call tallies during the proceedings. Staff said there were no written comments on the Lighthouse LLC conveyance public hearing and explained the city would cover its attorney fees and deed preparation while Lighthouse LLC would cover its own legal and platting costs.
