Council approves Zoetis expansion agreement

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

There were seven public hearings held at the Charles City Council meeting Monday night. Two of the hearings involved a development agreement with Zoetis.

The council adopted a development agreement in the Southwest Bypass Urban Renewal District as part of a $54 million company expansion to build additional space and install new manufacturing equipment in support of Zoetis’ poultry vaccine operations.

“It’s a good expansion and good development,” said Charles City Administrator Steven Diers.

The project is due to begin later in March, according to a press release Zoetis gave the Press during the meeting.

“I’d just like to say thank you,” said Zoetis Site Leader Pam Stoops to the council.

Tim Fox, Charles City Area Development Corp. executive director, said he was grateful to the council and Zoetis.

The first hearing was on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program. Steve Wendt, NIACOG community development planner, presented to the council on the program.

The total grant would be for $246,500, with the city contributing $13,800 toward that.

There are 259 homes in Charles City eligible for the housing rehabilitation, Wendt said. The program would rehabilitate six homes in Charles City with two more possible if funds allow.

“We’ll get done with those first six projects, and $55,000 left to do two more projects,” Wendt said. “That’ll increase our impact by 33 percent.”

The city participated in the grant program in 2017 and 2016.

The council approved the $13,800 grant for the program, administered by Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The council also voted to adopt the community development and housing needs assessment, with an adjustment to the mid-priced and affordable housing from $60,000 to $80,000, to a new range of $65,000 to $85,000.

The city also held a hearing on the zoning classification of two parcels of land from a single family district to a service business district and on an ordinance permitting the placement of exterior fascia signs visible from street fronts in certain business districts.

Mayor Dean Andrews re-appointed six people to boards and commissions during the session.

Andrews re-appointed Shawn Picht to the Electrical Advisory Board, Gene LaBounty to the Board of Adjustment, John Morris to the Civil Service Commission and Stewart Coulson, Carol Tyler and Eric Miller to the House and Redevelopment Authority Board.

The session had at least 10 people present throughout the meeting, many of whom were Zoetis employees.

The next council session will be March 26.