The Jewell City Council this week set February 12 at 7:00 p.m. for a public hearing to enter into a General Obligation Loan Agreement and to borrow money there under in a principal amount not to exceed 1.2 million dollars. Jewell city council member Loyal Winborn did request the city look into the possibility of an unlimited General Obligation Bond with more information to be discussed at the January 22nd city council meeting. The council accepted the request from Dorsey and Whitney to serve as the city of Jewell’s Bond Counsel for the Main Street Project for $11,500.
Shirley Nelson of Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) of Hamilton County gave the annual update of her organization and requested the city consider contributing funds. YSS offers mental health therapy, play therapy, family counseling, evaluations, substance use counseling and more. The YSS group has worked with 32 clients in the South Hamilton area. The Jewell City Council will discuss providing continued financial support at an upcoming budget meeting.
Jewell Fire Chief Duane Hendrickson presented a summary of the year in the fire department. There were 32 total fire calls for the year and the average time to the scene after the page was 5.94 minutes. There were 68 EMS medical calls with the average time from page to the scene was 8.67 minutes. The average time for the state of Iowa is 15 to 20 minutes. There were also 31 trauma calls with an average time from page to scene was 7.65 minutes with the National Urban average being 12 to 15 minutes.
The annual contract with ISG for overseeing water treatment and wastewater facilities was approved by the Jewell city council.
Jewell city council member Chris Gunderson questioned the council whether the removal of concrete from the tennis court at the city park could be done by the city employees or if it would have to be done with outside help. The Mayor and Council saw no reason the city could not remove the concrete.
The Jewell City Council approved the appointment of Mickey Walker and fire chief Duane Hendrickson as the city’s representative to the Hamilton County Emergency Management Commission for 2024. Steve Butler was named as the alternate representative to the same commission.
Duane Hendrickson was named as the Jewell representative to the Hamilton County 911 Board for this year.
Mickey Walker was named Jewell’s representative to the Hamilton County Solid Waste Commission with Aaron Boor as the alternate member.