CLINTON — The city of Clinton is in the market for office space to house the new Building and Neighborhood Services Department and asking residents to help officials find a suitable location.
During Thursday’s City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, a discussion was held regarding the potential lease of a commercial building at 110 Fifth Ave. South for the new city Building and Neighborhood Services department. The City Internal Operations Committee issued a recommendation in favor of leasing the 7,000 square feet building, which would be large enough to accommodate the BNSD and the reconstituted Engineering and Planning Department.
City Administrator Gary Boden said that since he issued a memo to the council on Dec. 7, the city has been notified of other available properties that might be suitable for the two departments. He said the city currently is looking at two potential locations in the 7,000 to 8,000 square foot range, including a space on Fourth Avenue South, but both would need renovations. Boden said the city possibly could negotiate the cost of the improvements as “lease hold” expenses that would result in a reduction of the lease cost.
Boden asked the council for direction, whether to proceed with negotiating the lease on the Fifth Avenue South property or send the issue back to committee. At-Large Councilwoman Bette Oakley suggested the city solicit available location suggestions from the public and set
a deadline for submissions late in the month. She said the city would be happy to look at any property potentially fit for locating city offices. Boden suggested setting the deadline of Dec. 28 and then the information could be reviewed by the IOC in a special meeting on Jan. 7.
Oakley made that suggestion a motion, which was seconded by Fourth Ward Councilman Rodger Holm.
First Ward Councilman Bob Soesbe said he thinks the city should see how the building would fit with the city’s needs before leasing any property. Third Ward Councilman Darrell Smith said he was not totally convinced that the city offices need to move from City Hall. He stated the issue needs further evaluation and scrutiny to determine what is the best course of action.
“I think we’ve got some work to do before we sign on the dotted line,” Smith said.
The council unanimously approved the motion to solicit location suggestions until Dec. 28 and have the IOC review the options on Jan. 7.
Then the council discussed IOC recommendations to place the Building and Neighborhood Services director, assistant director and building inspectors into non-union employee pay bands. Boden noted that the director would be placed in pay band 10, ranging in salary from $52,955 to $74,135. The department assistant director would be placed in pay band eight, with a salary range from $40,041 to $56,058. The building inspector would have a salary range of $30,276 to $42,388 in pay band six.
Boden requested the council take action to place a resolution setting those pay bands on the Jan. 8 council agenda for approval so the city may move forward with placing an advertisement for the director.
Local News
City looking for office space
- Local News
-
-
City will review possible sewer rate freeze impact
Efforts to freeze sewer rates for seniors and disabled Clinton residents on a fixed income will have to wait another month.
-
Revised city burning regulations move forward
After nearly an hour of discussion between Clinton City Council members and concerned residents, a long-debated change in Clinton’s open burning regulations moved forward from the city Rules and Regulation committee Tuesday.
-
Giving back through their art
Mercy Medical Center representatives and volunteers say the Mercy South gift shop, 638 S. Bluff Blvd., is now offering a unique selection of items.
-
Rural Morrison home destroyed by fire
Morrison Fire Chief Joe Bielema said smoke and heat detectors may have saved lives during a Morrison house fire early Monday morning.
-
Police seek 3rd robbery suspect
Police are seeking a third individual for questioning about her involvement in a bank robbery Thursday afternoon in Andrew.
-
Culver: It’s all about jobs
With less than two months before the Nov. 2 election, Iowa Democrats came out in full force this weekend to kick start their fall campaigns.
-
Dad charged in boy’s death dies of natural causes
A 32-year-old man facing charges in connection with the death of his 4-year-old son has died.
-
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Bob Krajnovich helps with Labor Congress picnic
Bob Krajnovich, 66, of Clinton, has been a “union man” all of his life and is a member of the Clinton Labor Congress.
-
Police arrest three in prescription drug sales sting
Clinton police have arrested a DeWitt man, a Cedar County woman and her son on felony drug charges for allegedly working together to sell prescription drugs.
-
Police release description of bank robbery suspects
Police are seeking two men they say robbed a bank in Andrew before fleeing in an SUV Thursday afternoon.
- More Local News Headlines
-
City will review possible sewer rate freeze impact
