By Sam Parsons

The Pella City Council held a regular meeting last night and hosted three public hearings. Those led to the approval of a contract with Excel Mechanical for the first phase of HVAC improvements to the Pella Public Library in the amount of $243,500, as well as the approval of a contract with Cushman Excavation for a hangar and apron expansion at the Pella Municipal Airport for $200,204, and the approval of a rezoning application from Pella Partners for a property near the intersection of Brook Circle and Idaho Drive from Agricultural (A1) to Two-Family Residential (R2).

The council also passed a resolution accepting the resignation of their city attorney. Emily Duffy had been serving that role since January of 2024, and her resignation will be effective on August 22. As part of the resolution, the city is appointing Kristine Stone to replace Duffy.

And the council held a policy and planning discussion surrounding the possibility of creating a recreation department for the city. The department would be responsible for the operation of the upcoming Pella Indoor Recreation and Aquatics Center, outdoor pool, and programming at the Pella Sports Park and Soccer Complex. City administration said that they believe that based on the city’s experience with the Bos Landen Golf Course, they can operate and maintain the Indoor Recreation and Aquatics Center more effectively and at approximately the same cost if they hire a contractor for that purpose. No action was taken following this discussion.

The next regular meeting for the Pella City Council is scheduled for September 2.