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Iowa council reviews 6-acre park-adjacent parcel trade and reiterates annexation cost policy
Summary
Mayor Watkins told the council a roughly 6-acre parcel next to the town park is offered in an even trade for three town lots on Highway 90, subject to a legal review referenced in the minutes as a "Cabela test." He reiterated the town will not annex for utilities unless property owners pay 100% of the cost.
Mayor Douglas N. Watkins told the Town of Iowa council on Aug. 11 that a parcel of about 6 acres adjacent to the town park has become available and the owner proposes trading it for three town-owned lots on Highway 90.
Watkins said the proposed even exchange would be reviewed legally and, if it "passes the Cabela test, legally," the town could complete the transfer without monetary exchange. The minutes do not define the "Cabela test" or specify the legal standard referenced; the council said it will have the transaction reviewed before placing it on a future agenda.
On the related topic of annexation, Watkins told the council he is not in favor of annexing property for utilities unless the property owner pays 100% of the cost. He said a legal entity outside the town limits has requested utilities and is willing to pay for the cost; Watkins said legal wording and a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) would be required before the item would appear on an agenda.
The minutes record no public comment on the parcel proposal or annexation discussion. The council will review the legal analysis before deciding whether to move the trade or annexation forward.
