RIVERSIDE

Ryan Rogerson, the newest member of the Riverside City Council, says it’s time to move with a proposed community center.

“They want action,” Rogerson said of Riverside’s residents during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council. “I think it’s time to do it.”

The Council expects to soon set a work session during which a proposed community center would be discussed.

Discussions of a proposed facility date back to 2021, when preliminary conceptual designs of a $7.3 million community center were presented by Carl A. Nelson & Company, a design and construction firm from Burlington.

The targeted location for the center would be next to Highland Elementary School, north of Galileo Drive.

Funds for the center would likely come from a bond referendum that may be placed on the November 2025 election ballot, said Mayor Allen Schneider.

City Administrator Cole Smith presented the Council with a proposed timeline that includes preliminary designs in 2024, an informational town hall, a final design in 2025 and the start of construction in spring 2026.

The Council also hopes to apply for grants that would help cover the costs.

The center is proposed to include a multi-purpose gym, a running track, a weight room, exercise studios and possibly a child care area.

“I think we have people that are waiting,” said Council Person Lois Schneider.

Kirk Birthplace

Work on the James T. Kirk birthplace’s planned ADA ramp is scheduled to begin April 1.

The project has been awarded to All American Concrete of West Liberty, which also did the sidewalk and concrete work at Railroad Park last year.

Dobbins Building

River City Church will have until April 30 to finalize an agreement with the city for the purchase of a property at 40 W. First Street in Riverside.

The church was hoping to acquire additional property for parking that would be needed during church services.

The Council directed City Administrator Cole Smith to put an April 30 deadline on the agreement for the Dobbins Building, which would be demolished so that a new church building could be constructed.

The property was donated to the city.

Tax Rate Hearing

A public hearing on the proposed tax rate for Fiscal Year 2025 will be held April 1. The public hearing will start at 6 p.m., followed by the Council’s regular meeting.

The proposed rate for FY25, which begins July 1, 2024, is $7.94 per $1,000 of value. The rate is determined through a number of calculations that include state code and Riverside’s tax base.

The property tax rate for FY24 is $8.10.

The city’s property tax rate is in addition to a Highland Community Schools tax rate of $13.

Council Action

The Council approved a payment of $36,083.85 to Spectra Build of Wapello for work completed on the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The Council passed a resolution approving an education reimbursement agreement with City Administrator Cole Smith. The city will reimburse Smith for work on a master’s degree in public administration at Drake University. The agreement calls for Smith to work at least four years for the city following completion of the program.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. April 1.