T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY
Lynn Olberding, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks during a presentation to the Marshalltown City Council Monday.

The desire to grow the population and housing opportunities in Marshalltown created an agreement between the city and the Chamber.

MACC president and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Olberding submitted an agreement for economic development services to the city council for approval Monday night.

“This is first time we have had a formalized agreement with the city for services related to economic development,” Olberding said. “The agreement outlines things we are currently doing. But I believe it strengthens the opportunity to be more informed and engaged. It has been a great collaboration, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with the city”

The five-year agreement begins July 1 with these specific services, among others, to be provided by MACC:

• Responding to requests for proposals from the state of Iowa, Iowa Area Development Group or other sources.

• Conducting business recruitment activities designed to provide new jobs and an improved tax base for the community.

• Producing materials that market and promote the city including a website and information packets for prospective businesses.

• Providing quarterly analyses of economic data provided in the Chamber Digest.

• Building mutually beneficial relationships with national, state, and regional entities engaged in economic development.

• Assessing issues of concern to local businesses and assist with promoting a healthy business climate within the community.

• Facilitating programs for business retention and expansion for existing businesses in the city.

The city agrees to pay MACC $50,000 annually during the five-year period.

Councilors voted 7-0 to approve the agreement.

Drone purchase approved

In other business, councilors approved 6-1 a resolution authorizing the Marshalltown Fire Department and Marshalltown Police Department to purchase a public safety unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a drone, at a cost not to exceed $35,000.

Police Chief Mike Tupper said he and Fire Chief David Rierson believe the drone would enhance public safety.

“I can think of several occasions the past year it could come in handy for law enforcement operations,” Tupper said.

He gave an example of conducting searches for missing individuals.

“A drone can cover much more territory than a good deal of staff could,” he said.

Tupper said Rierson could identify situations where a drone could be used effectively for fire operations.

The police chief said the drone was expensive, due to sophisticated hardware it employs.

“We are not proposing to buy a hobby drone at Walmart,” he said. “We will receive training from the business we purchase the drone from.”

Tupper proposed the drone could be paid for by utilizing surplus funds from the joint Marshalltown Police Department/Fire Department facility.

Tupper assured the council the project was well under budget.

Councilman Leon Lamer said he was supportive of the idea, but objected to paying for it from facility funds.

“We are not done paying for it yet,” he said. “There are still outstanding invoices.”

As a result, Lamer cast the lone no vote.