Oskaloosa Council Approves Purchase Of Farm Ground For SCRAA
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in special session on March 26th, 2020, with one item on their agenda.
The item was a motion authorizing staff to issue payment for the acquisition of real estate associated with the South Central Regional Airport project.
In the explanation for the payment, “The South Central Regional Airport Agency (SCRAA) has come to terms with ownership of real estate within the Site A, the Elizabeth V. Barnard Living Trust, Daryl Bernard, Trustee.”
“This item authorizes staff to proceed with the issuance of the city’s share of the acquisition cost to the Trust. The City’s share for this item is $336,024.46 plus associated wiring fees. The city of Pella will reimburse the city of Oskaloosa accordingly, once grant funds are received from the Federal Aviation Administration.”
“The funding source for the property acquisition are the proceeds received from the sale of the non-aeronautical land at the Oskaloosa Municipal Airport.”
“Approval of this item will carry an approximate financial impact of $336,024.46, plus associated fees for the purpose of completing the property acquisition transaction with the Elizabeth V. Barnard Living Trust, Daryl Bernard, Trustee. The city of Oskaloosa can expect to receive 90% reimbursement from the Federal Aviation Administration (through the city of Pella) once the acquisition is placed under grant and a draw down is completed by Pella.”
“The FY2020 amended budget includes the necessary funding to complete the acquisition of property as presented. Funding for the project is specifically budgeted in fund 661-8035-6413 in the amount of $2,250,000.”
The meeting was electronic, with the council, media, and the public gaining access electronically, with residents being able to participate in any public hearing items on the agenda electronically if such items are scheduled.
The restriction to physical access is in accordance with Section Nine of the Iowa Public Health Emergency Declaration signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.
There was no public comment scheduled for the March 26th meeting.
During the discussion of the motion to purchase the land, councilmember Doug Yates asked if the FAA had approved the purchase of the land.
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock said that the FAA had given authorization on the dollar amounts that are involved. The FAA will then issue a grant that will reimburse the cities of Pella and Oskaloosa 90% of the purchase price.
The cities are purchasing the land at approximately 14,950 dollars per acre.
Yates asked Schrock if the land was being sold at a premium. “Yes, it’s higher than the appraised value,” added Schrock.
Just as the rollcall vote began, a member of the public on the conference call asked if there would be a time for public comment. Since it wasn’t on the agenda, the request was denied.
As the rollcall vote to end the meeting took place, all members of the council voted to end the meeting.
