Mound City Council approves purchase of former metal fabrication shop
By Roger Sims, Journal staff
MOUND CITY – It has been a purchase that the Mound City Council has been discussing for over a year. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the council unanimously approved writing a check to J.R. Kerr for $100,000 for the first payment of a shop complex on the southwest corner of Walnut and Seventh streets in Mound City. The vote approved the total purchase price at $175,000.
The council for sometime has been looking to purchase a shop for its public works department, and public works superintendent John Bruns has said that Kerr’s complex will fit the city’s needs. Kerr has moved his metal fabricating shop north of Mound City limits on East 850 Road south of the intersection with Nickell Road.
Residents were initially concerned about the city taking over the shop, which is in a residential neighborhood. But Bruns’ assurances that most of the department’s work happens offsite and wouldn’t start until 8 a.m. seemed to ease that concern.
The council has discussed making the city’s current shop building at 7566 Nickell Rd. into a recreational facility that could include a basketball court.
Under an agreement with Kerr, the city will pay the remaining $75,000 of the purchase price at the beginning of the new budget year in 2027. The deal initially faced some delay after Councilmember Shayna Lamb worried that the purchase agreement would violate a state statute preventing the council from taking on a obligation.
Following clearance by the city’s bond agent and by City Attorney Lindsey Kolisch, the council’s vote was unanimous. Kolisch did say she was concerned that the agreement with Kerr to purchase the property did not provide enough protection for the city.
Kolisch said that the purchase agreement should include language providing that ownership of the building will transfer to the city upon payment of the full purchase price.
City Clerk Shelby Murray said she would draft an agreement and send the draft to Kolisch for possible changes.
The council also negotiated an agreement with Missy Wurtz on the demolition of a structure at 731 Walnut Street. Wurtz had asked that the city take over the property, 2 1/2 lots, in return for using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to demolish the structure.
However, during the discussion, the council learned that Wurtz owed nearly $8,300 in property taxes. With the cost to raze the property estimated between $12,000 and $15,000, the council balked at the plan.
Wurtz pointed out that the demolition money came from a grant, council members, including Cody Beckman, said even though the lot was vacant, it wouldn’t be worth $20,000.
“I’m not comfortable speculating on a lot,” said Mayor Wade Doering. “I have no problem tearing the house down if you paid part of the taxes.”
Councilmember Lawrence Forbach suggested splitting the taxes 50-50 with Wurtz paying half. That proposal was informally agreed to by the council.
Wurtz initially said she didn’t have the money, but as it became apparent that the council would not negotiate any further, she agreed to pay half. The property has apparently been sold at least twice on a contract for deed, and Wurtz indicated she might have to get an attorney to help clean up the title. City consultant Josh Baldwin reminded her that the money needed to be spent by Dec. 31.
The council unanimously approved a motion to pay 50% of the outstanding taxes in exchange for taking ownership of the property so the structure could be torn down using ARPA money.
In other business, the council:
Passed an ordinance to allow primitive camping at Mound City Lake. Primitive camping (use of tents or similar shelter) can only be done at designated areas with a reservation made on the city’s website. The charge for primitive camping is $7.50 per night and stays cannot extend for more than four nights.
Approved a resolution that would allow the city’s ad valorem mill levy to exceed the revenue neutral rate with a unanimous vote, including Beckman, Forbach, Lamb and Councilmember Jesse Carr. Councilmember Fanchion Shadden did not attend the meeting.
Signed a proclamation recognizing Sept. 17–23 as Constitution Week.
Decided to set the cost for sewage disposal into the city’s lagoon at $21 for loads between 1,500 gallons and 3,000 gallons. The rates of $15 for up to 1,500 gallons and $30 for 3,000 gallons will remain unchanged.
Approved a bid from Jim Johnson of $210 per year for two years to lease 8 acres of ground at the city lake for hay.
Comments