(Estherville)– The Estherville City Council Monday evening reviewed results of the recently completed Rural Housing Readiness Assessment and identified a plan of action to implement some recommendations from the study. City Administrator Penny Clayton told the council four subcommittees have been formed to address financial resources, communication and education, code enforcement and community engagement.
Clayton says while the city’s involvement in the assessment did come with a price tag, it will be well worth it in the long run…
“Participation in this program cost us $5,000, but as an added bonus we will receive $10,000 for any housing projects that, or any project kind of on our list that we want to pursue. Because we have to select the project and execute the project before June 30th of 2021, so in the next month, we’ve kind of decided as a group that we will actually put these dollars towards our cleanup days because that was a high priority in the list, and we would like to put additional monies back, from the cleanup, back into our housing program so that we can do other projects as well.”
Clayton says the majority of the responses to the assessment expressed concern over the lack of upkeep of many homes in the community. She says that’s important not only for maintaining property values, but for another reason as well…
“Because first impressions do count when you’re recruiting new residents, when you’re recruiting new businesses. Those things matter.”
Clayton says the four subcommittees will meet jointly on a quarterly basis and will report to the city council on a regular basis.
In other business, Clayton updated the council on plans to install new playground at Mickelson Park. She says a number of play structures are being planned, adding they want them to be one-of-a-kind in the area…
“That’s kind of really our goal, we’re trying to find amenities that are unique, that we can be proud of, you know, because we have a lot of parks and I would like, the Parks Board, specifically, wants to have something unique.”
Clayton says the city already has money budgeted for the project. She says the equipment is on order and is scheduled for installation this coming September.
