A report from Marshall Economic Development Impact Committee President Tom Deimerly about the proposed Holiday Inn Express hotel development, action on the joint police-fire building and conversion of Linn Street and Church Street to two-way traffic dominated Monday night’s council meeting.

Holiday Inn Express

No resident spoke against a proposed $1 million development agreement with Hawkeye Hotels at a public meeting as part of the agenda. Deimerly went over key points, which pledges certain tax increment revenues to Hawkeye Hotels in an amount not to exceed $1 million. At-large councilor Leon Lamer was the lone no vote for a resolution authorizing the payment. Lamer said he was concerned about the package not being offered to previous hoteliers, which, in his opinion, gave Holiday Inn Express an “unfair advantage.”

Deimerly said the deal was structured differently from others during his tenure at MEDIC, because Hawkeye Hotels had to buy more land to comply with Iowa Department of Natural Resources storm water guidelines.

Om Patel of Hawkeye Hotels said at the Oct. 10 council meeting the facility would be a four-story, 93-room enterprise.

Patel said Marshalltown could expect to benefit from a $12 million dollar payroll over a 20-year period.

JBS Human Resources Pete Charboneau wrote a letter of support for the project, which said JBS staff would make use of a new facility.

Joint police-fire headquarters

Interim city administrator Mark Stevens said the project is moving forward. A Request for Proposal for a construction manager is being prepared. Additionally, closing documents to take possession of the Knights of Columbus property at 201 W. High St., and Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA property, commonly known as the “Old Econo Foods” site in the 900 block of South Second Street are being prepared by local attorney Jeff Hazen of Grimes Buck Schoell Beach & Hitchins. (Roger Schoell is city attorney, and with unanimous council approval, is delegating some city work to Hazen. Schoell explained at a previously council meeting would be absent periodically for health reasons).

“We are prepared to meet with the Knights of Columbus whenever they wish to meet with us for the closing,” said Stevens. “And the Y board has all of the details regarding their closing and will be meeting soon.”

Conversion of Linn and Church Streets

The discussion-only topic generated only brief discussion by council after a presentation by Marshalltown Public Works Director Justin Nickel. He said city crews could do much of the work required to change the current one-way streets to two-way. Expense could be eligible for a Iowa Department of Transportation grant in 2018. Second ward councilor Joel Greer, who has pushed the initiative for several years, said two-thirds of businesses he surveyed support the conversion to two-way. Greer said a Chamber of Commerce survey regarding the conversion is underway. Mayor Jim Lowrance said the matter should be tabled for more discussion at the Nov. 14 council meeting, giving the public more time to learn and comment. The council voted 6-1 to table discussion, Greer cast the no vote.

Bill Egleston

Council held a moment of silence for resident Bill Egleston, who passed away recently. Egleston, a retired businessman, was a frequent visitor to city council meetings over the years, sitting in the front row. He also attended numerous other city public meetings. Lowrance said Egleston did not agree with everything the city did, but he was a “gentleman who accepted the decision.” Egleston was also active with the Marshall County Republican Party.

John Cooper

Lowrance expressed condolences to Cooper’s family. Cooper was a former 10-year member of the council and served on the Solid Waste Commission. Greer said Cooper was instrumental in Quakerdale’s presence locally.

In other action

– Recognized Marshalltown Public Library Director Sarah Rosenblum, chief of police Mike Tupper, and street department employee Robb Pippin for five years employment service to the city.

– Unanimously approved resolution authorizing grant submission and acceptance, if awarded, to Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation and Marshalltown Community Foundation for upgrade of the Mega 10 Park for playground equipment and gardens.

– Unanimously authorized Alliant Energy to buy 6.71 acres if land west of JBS’ treatment facility. Alliant is proposing to install a substation. Alliant is in the process of downsizing the sizes of substations, said Nickel.

– Appointed Kurt Lynch to the Housing Appeal Board, indefinite appointment. Appointed Gary McKibben to the Investment Advisory Board, term expires April 1, 2019. Appointed Marla Grabenbauer to the Solid Waste Commission, term expires March 1, 2018. Grabenbauer will finish out John Cooper’s term. Cooper passed away recently.

The next regular meeting of the city council is 5:30 p.m., Nov. 14, in council chambers, Carnegie Building, 10 W. S. State St. For more information, contact 641-754-5701, or visit ci.marshalltown.ia.us.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com.