Mt. Pleasant amending urban revitalization regulations

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Mt. Pleasant City Council members wiped the slate clean in 10 minutes Wednesday afternoon.

It was more a case of a light agenda for the council, which barely managed a quorum.

The most significant piece of business was taking the first step in amending rules and regulations defining urban revitalization areas. The council will host a public hearing on the new language at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.

City Administrator Brent Schleisman said the resolution is needed due to a recent change in state law. ?State law now allows multi-residential housing to be eligible for multi-residential housing to be eligible for tax abatement,? he noted.

Consequently, new language in the urban revitalization ordinance will allow 10-year tax abatement for multi-family residential units created.

Other highlights of the amendment include the following.

? The Mt. Pleasant Urban Revitalization Area includes all renewal estate located within the Mt. Pleasant corporate limits as of Nov. 1, 2014. Any land annexed into the city in the future shall automatically be included in the plan area as of the effective date of the annexation.

? The revitalization area is proposed for new areas and expanded commercial, multi-residential and residential development in those areas that comply with the city?s zoning ordinance.

? Eligible property improvements, as used in this plan, include rehabilitation and additions to any existing residential, multi-residential and commercial structures located within the area. In addition, new construction of residential, multi-residential and commercial structures on vacant land or on land with existing structures is also eligible for tax abatement.

Actual value added by improvements, as used in this plan, means the actual value added as of the first year for which the exemption was received. In order to be eligible for tax abatement, the increase in actual value of the property must be at least 5 percent in the case of property assessed as residential and 15 percent in the case of property assessed as commercial or multi-residential.

? All qualified real estate is assessed as commercial property or multi-residential property if the commercial or multi-residential property consists of three or more separate living quarters with at least 75 percent of the space used for residential purposes is eligible to receive a 100 percent exemption from taxation on the actual value added by the improvements for a period of 10 years.

Mt. Pleasant residents wishing to rid themselves of televisions and computer monitors can do so on Friday, Oct. 31, from 8-11 a.m. at the public works building, 1201 N. Broadway St. This is only for residents of Mt. Pleasant and proof of residency is required.

A television requires five Mt. Pleasant green trash tags and computer monitors required two Mt. Pleasant green trash bags.

The event is sponsored by HazChem Center of Southeast Iowa.

Council members approved a resolution allowing Chuck Allen to again rent the 75 acres of farm ground near the airport. Allen will pay the city $285 per acre rent, the same fee as in 2014.

A resolution was passed adjusting the level of compensation for the fire department?s officer positions. The compensation for the four officer positions of captain, senior captain, lieutenant and senior lieutenant will be $3,479.56 annually.

Final action saw the council approve a grant application to the Enhance Henry County Foundation on behalf of the public library. If received, grant funds would be used to promote more activities for junior/senior high students.

The council was also told that the new city street sweeper has arrived and is being put to use.

Next regular meeting for the council will be Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m.