New concession stand, raises for police approved by Abby Council
At the Abbotsford City Council’s Aug. 17 meeting, the council approved a few items that had been presented at previous meetings, including a bid for a new concession stand at Red Arrow Park.
Concession stand
The new plans for the concession stand features a simpler structure than what was originally presented to the council back in early May. The price to complete the project went from $542,000 for the original plans to $359,000 for the updated plans.
Due to the bid for the original building coming in over $200,000 above what was originally budgeted, Public Works Director Craig Stuttgen and City Administrator Josh Soyk worked with engineers to cut out amenities and thus, cut down on cost.
“We had everybody go through and shave all the fat off of it,” Stuttgen said.
“I think if you ever want to build a concession stand, I don’t think it’s going to get cheaper than this going forward,” Soyk said.
The council had to determine how they would pay for the stand with no dedicated budget funds available for the project.
“We’re borrowing over $200,000 to get it done,” Stuttgen said.
Soyk said there is $232,000 in Covid relief money available for “technically anything.”
Originally, it was thought that an inter-departmental loan from the water department might be a feasible financing option but future well and utility projects put that option in the rear-view mirror. It was noted that the city still had over $60,000 to spend on the project from a donation given specifically for the concession stand. The city would hope to raise more funds after the project starts by placing signs on the fencing, plaques on the new building or other options that will be discussed at a later date.
Alderman Selenia Espino asked if the TIF money could potentially be used for a project like the concession stand. Stuttgen said the TIF money could be used for the project to which Espino suggested covering half of the cost of construction with Covid relief funds and the other half with TIF funds.
Alderman Kayla Nixdorf said with the Abbotsford Merchants coming back next year, the project is more justified.
Alderman Roger Weideman stated his discomfort with putting a large amount of money into the project.
“My gut feeling is it’s a little bit too much money to spend on this,” Weideman said. “I think next year we could cheapen it up some. I’m for it to get built but I think it’s a little bit too much of the taxpayer’s money [going towards] this project. I don’t know if I’m comfortable with it from what I’ve heard from the people talking.”
Soyk said he was looking to use some of the Covid relief money for water or sewer emergencies in the future but would feel comfortable using some of the $232,000 in Covid relief money to pay for the project.
Alderman Mason Rachu made the motion to approve the building with donations from fundraising efforts going back into the TIF and Covid relief funds.
After a 15-minute discussion period, the council ultimately voted to approve the project with Weideman as the only alderman voting down the proposal.
Police wage raise
The Colby-Abby Police Department will be getting a department-wide raise retroactive to Aug. 1, 2022 after the police commission and Police Chief Jason Bauer were able to raise enough funds through a campaign.
The funds were given by area businesses and community members in hopes of retaining officers who might otherwise leave for other departments who were paying $3-$6 per hour more than the CAPD.
The raises will add $3 to every employee’s wages through 2024 when the commission will have to figure out a more permanent solution.
TIF District
To give some background to the newer members of the council on the city’s TIF district and how it helps the community grow together, Stuttgen gave a short presentation showing what revenue the district has brought in and where it is being used.
Stuttgen said between the seven buildings that have been placed in the city’s TIF district, the city has gained an additional $502,000 per year in revenue.
“This turned out to be a huge home run,” Stuttgen said.
Soyk said the school is OK with entering into an agreement where the city gets to keep 100 percent of the tax dollars from that land for the life of the TIF because after the end of the TIF district, that money will be distributed to those entities once again. Prior to the improvements on the land, Stuttgen said the city was making just over $130 on the land.
Stuttgen said all the money that the city has made on the district has allowed for new improvements on many different infrastructure projects.
“In the developer’s agreement, the city made a commitment to spend $400,000 of what we were collecting just on the parks up there,” Stuttgen said. “If you’re wondering why I keep wanting to stick money into parks, we have to and I think it’s a great idea. That’s where most of the kids are spending their time in town now.”
The full scope of what was planned is near completion according to Stuttgen.
“We’re one shelter and half a parking lot away from having this project completed in five years,” Stuttgen said.
Stuttgen also said multiple road projects have been partially funded with TIF revenue.
Other business
_ Mayor Jim Weix declared August of 2022 as Fair Housing Month.
_ Stuttgen said certain signs along Hwy. 13 will be taken down until further notice due to construction. He said the signs could be returned after work is completed next year. The resurfacing project is scheduled to begin in November 2022.
_ Stuttgen said the fishing contest that the parks department put on drew in 42 kids.
_ The council extended CDL requirements for employees because of new requirements for drivers hoping to earn a CDL.
