The meeting began at 7 pm. The meeting began with the swearing in of the commission members. The January 2, 2025, meeting minutes were approved.
Zach Wirrig, Director of Public Projects said that he and a couple others from the city met with Iron Man to discuss the progress and future of the iron Men Apartment Complex in January. Iron Man stated that they are going to be submitting their application for the tax credits in the next few weeks which will be for tax credits in 2027. However, they are prepared to get a loan to finance the project until the tax credits come in. The city is working on getting the Economic Development Agreement ready to be sent to Iron Man for their edits and approval. Zach said that they still plan to start construction this summer. Chris Stephen, City Attorney updated the commission stating that the survey documentation was signed by the Commissioners at their meeting this week and that he is working with Chad Smith, County Attorney to get the deed paperwork ready to be filed.
Zach stated that Liberty Lakes is moving along nicely and that they have all utilities installed. He said that Beacon Builders are progressing with their model home. Beacon Builders has a goal to build 20 homes this year. Also, a lot has been sold for the construction of a home.
Rob Dehoff, Decatur County Parks & Recreation came to the board to follow up on his funding request that he requested at the last meeting. Chris Stephen told the board that he has done research and analysis to find out if the RDC can utilize their funds to fund a project outside of their district. Chris said that he believes that they can because utilizing their funds will improve the services within their district. Chris added that he would like time to seek guidance from the State Board of Accounts or another appropriate state agency.
During Rob’s update he stated that at the Commissioners meeting this week it was discussed that they may move forward with installing turf to all of the 8 diamonds. Rob said that currently he is working associations that are willing to sign an agreement to host 15-20 tournaments a year for the next 5 years here in Decatur County if they have all 8 diamonds turfed. Rob reminded the RDC of the revenue that can be received from this facility and that these funds would be within city limits mostly. Rob stated that he had asked for the $100,000 towards the front four diamonds but that if they move forward with the back four diamonds, they will need approximately $200,000 for that portion of the project. Rob spoke about the importance of partnering to get this done, he added that he wants to continue to partner with different boards and leagues that already utilize the complex.
Gabe Nobbe, Decatur County Commissioner was in attendance with Rob and stated that the benefit to doing all eight of the diamonds now would be a cost savings since the crews are already on site. Both Gabe and Rob pointed out that part of the original project was that they would clean up and prepare the back four diamonds and buy equipment to operate those as dirt and they are able to take those funds already allocated and add to them and get turf that would be beneficial to the complex. Rob did also say that in the long run installing turf vs. dirt would be a cost savings on equipment and labor in the long run.
The RDC voted to commit to $100,000 in funding contingent on the approval from the State Board of Accounts or appropriate state agency.
Following this discussion Darrel Poling asked Rob and Gabe, “Where are we on getting a pool? I get asked this frequently.” Gabe stated that getting a pool is his upmost priority and focus to get a pool if at all possible. Gabe said that any plans to demolish the pool and install other equipment on the site has been stopped. The funds that were allocated to any plans for anything other than a pool on the old pool site has been reallocated to the Turf Project. Gabe said that he believes that the old pool site is the perfect place for a future pool. If that pool site was demolished it would make it harder to gain momentum to get a new pool constructed.
Zach Wirrig received the commissions commitment to fund 50% of the final bid of the Freeland Road Reconstruction Project. This project will begin at the SR 3 bypass and end just east of the Walmart parking lot.
The commission approved 3 claims equaling $7,570.32.
