Council gives company year to find solution for fence

WASHINGTON - The decision as to whether or not Iowa Bridge and Culvert will have to remove mature trees to build a fence still is up in the air, but the company has been given a year to find a solution.

At a November City Council meeting, Iowa Bridge and Culvert representatives asked the city to amend an agreement regarding a fence surrounding their property on West 17th street.

In 2018, Iowa Bridge and Culvert entered an agreement with the city for the property to be zoned as industrial, with the requirement of a fence encasing the property. The agreement had a deadline of December 2020. To complete the fence, Iowa Bridge and Culvert would have to tear down the tree line between the buildings and 17th street.

Completing the project and tearing down the trees would cost around $65,000, said President Brian Uitermarkt. He said Iowa Bridge and Culvert wants to reconsider the agreement for the monetary cost, and neighbors want to save the trees.

At the November meeting, the business was granted a six-month extension and the council opted to discuss the matter at a future meeting after council members were able to see the property.

By the Tuesday night meeting, most council member had looked at the property.

Council member Danielle Pettit-Majewski said the volunteer trees do not constitute a fence. Steve Gault and Mille Youngquist agreed, stating the tree line does not offer full coverage.

Youngquist said the council is trying to uphold higher standards in Washington.

The council members were in favor of granting another extension but said the business needs to uphold its end of the contract.

Council member Brendan DeLong said the extension is the best solution at this time.

Uitermarkt asked if the fence can be built between the bigger trees or if the trees have to be torn down.

City Administrator Brent Hinson said there are three large trees that could be saved. He recommended having an on-site meeting with a variety of individuals including members of the forestry commission and the city to discuss whether or not trees can be saved.

If the neighbors are concerned about the loss of trees, Mayor Jaron Rosien said there is a possibility that the city could pay for new trees to be planted.

CEO Burge Hammond said he appreciates the city being will to work with them but contracts are amended all the time.

He said the contract has no advantage to Iowa Bridge nor did having the land zoned as industrial.

'If we decide to move out of town ... or sell, that land basically needs to be residential,” Hammond said. 'That's not a prime business site.”

The council voted to extend the deadline to December 2021.