Dysart’s downtown Main Street Pocket Park pictured recently with its new signage. The park is located between the public library and Eikamp Insurance. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – The community building’s recent HVAC troubles, new signage for both the Main Street Pocket Park and nearby pedestrian zones, the sale of America 250 banners, a municipal swimming pool matching grant, and the new Public Works facility project at last getting off the ground were just a few of the agenda items addressed during the regular meeting of the Dysart City Council held Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. inside City Hall.

Mayor Tim Glenn presided over the meeting with all council members present except Steve Stoner. City clerk Tabby Kaiser and various department heads were also in attendance.

1. During reports from employees and later during Councilor Stacey Dabney’s report, Public Works Superintendent David Schneider updated the mayor and council on recent HVAC troubles at the Dysart Community Building. Schneider said that out of three A/C units located in the historic building’s upstairs level, one was not working due to a broken blower motor. In addition, the lobby unit was completely inoperable and must be replaced. As part of her report, Dabney said the upstairs level was very hot during a recent birthday party at the building. The council agreed to refund the family’s rental fee entirely due to issues with the A/C. Later under new business, the council approved a quote for the purchase of a new lobby unit from Weber Heating, Plumbing & Air Conditioning in the amount of $7,150.

2. Dysart’s Main Street Pocket Park located due north of Norma Anders Public Library recently received new signage, Mayor Glenn informed the council as part of his report Wednesday night, stating he thought it looked “very nice.” The park was dedicated three years ago this month after construction began in late spring of that year. Vision Dysart began developing the project in April 2021 with funding secured through a mix of grants, donations, and the organization’s own funds. The project’s total budget was under $30,000. While no public funds were dedicated to the project, the City of Dysart donated the land and Wi-Fi access.

3. Also during Mayor Glenn’s report Wednesday evening, the council discussed the town’s America250 banners currently hanging along Main Street. It was decided the banners would be sold and funds used for new banners. Councilors felt offering the banners up for sale to the public at a price of $100 apiece was reasonable in light of the original cost of $145. Community letters would be mailed soon alerting the public to the plans.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

4. Under old business, the council approved an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Land & Water Conservation Project Grant Agreement. The grant is through the Iowa DNR’s Land and Water Conservation Fund and will pay for a new pool heater, two new slide features, and a canopy for the seating area. According to Kaiser, the grant is a cost-share and will cover half of the $79,520 quoted for the upgrades.

5. Also under old business, two agenda items were approved pertaining to the new Public Works maintenance shop project. In an email to the newspaper following the meeting, Kaiser said the city is currently in the final stages of putting the new building out to bid. “We are receiving a grant from the USDA Rural Development for $265,451 that we have been working on for a couple years now. We hope to have it out to bid by October, with construction starting by mid-November.” In addition to the federal grant, the community also received a $25,000 Black Hawk County Gaming Association grant in 2024, as well as a more recent $4,000 grant from Aureon with a match from Farmers Coop Telephone Company. Per the terms of the Black Hawk Gaming grant, the project must be completed by April 1, 2027. “The difference will be made up from the City, which we already have $282,000 saved in that fund,” Kaiser added. According to past newspaper reporting, the new facility will safely hold equipment for the city’s water treatment efforts, road maintenance, and snow removal equipment. The old shop located at 713 Wilson Street will be torn down and a larger shop will be constructed attached to the newer building at the same location. During Wednesday’s meeting, a $12,000 quote from Hatch Grading & Contracting, Inc. was approved by the council for demolition of the quonset and old brick building. The quote was from 2023 and Hatch agreed to honor it. A separate resolution for the engineering services agreement with Anderson-Bogert for $18,100 was also approved. In August, the council approved the architectural services agreement for $42,500, per Kaiser.

6. Pedestrian zone sidewalk signage was approved under new business by the council in order to encourage people not to ride e-scooters/scooters and e-bikes/bikes on the sidewalks, especially along Main Street where there have been several recent “close calls.” A stenciled image with the words “Pedestrian Zone: Please Walk Your Wheels” was approved unanimously. Similar signage was installed last month for use in downtown Independence, the council noted.

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