The Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa

Search the Manchester Press!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Council approves Nitrate Removal Project, consent items approved Manchester holds annual Volunteer Recognition Night Hotel/Motel Tax vote November 6

Council approves Nitrate Removal Project, consent items approved by Ken Boesenberg

The Manchester City Council met at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Oct. 8 in the City Council Chambers. A number of consent agenda items were received and approved by the council. Consent items approved included the following. * The Monthly Statistical Report from the Manchester Public Library for the month of September. The month’s circulation total was 8642 comprised of 5,049 from the city of Manchester; 2,614 from rural Delaware County; 952 from open access and 27 from the InterLibrary Loan program. There were 69 new library cards issued during September. * The minutes of the regular meeting of the City of Manchester Parks and Recreation Commission. It was noted in the minutes that the the mediation for the pending litigation will take place Tuesday, Oct. 9. In other Parks and Recreation Commission business commissioner Mike Wessels requested that the West Delaware Booster Club make an annual request to the Facility Management Committee to sell the grilled items. Commissioner Wessels felt that this process would ensure that the Booster Club knew that it was not a right, rather a permitted addition to the existing concession services. Commissioner Wessels went on to point out that the committee may someday want to sell grilled items themselves. The council also discussed a request for demolition and acquisition assistance from Kyle Palmer regarding a two story building located on West Marion Street. After some discussion it was decided to take no action on the request at this time to allow for further investigation into how the property may be acquired. The council voted 5-0 to recommend that the city move forward with the Nitrate Removal Project for well #7 (Honey Creek Drive). This action was deemed necessary due to the steady increase in the city’s nitrate levels at a number of the city’s wells. The council also heard from City Attorney, Jim Peters regarding the nuisance abatement of the Hughes property at 501 East Main St. Councilman Jeff Ogden indicated that the caretakers of the property are willing to have their day in court regarding this matter. City Attorney Peters and the council could not come to an agreement with councilman Ogden, representing the Hughes Trust, regarding when or what items will be fixed on the property to avoid litigation. It was decided to let the legal system take its course.

Manchester holds annual Volunteer Recognition Night by Ken Boesenberg

The City of Manchester last Wednesday night held its annual Volunteer Recognition Night. The evenings festivities took place at Betty’s Bread Basket where nearly 100 people gathered. Three area residents were recognized for their outstanding work, Deb McCarty (2007 Youth Sports Coach of the Year), Bob Sack (Distinguished Service Award), and Dr. Tim Collier (First Citizen Award). Three years ago, the Parks and Recreation Commission developed an award to thank volunteer coaches. “Although the Commission feels that all of our coaches are deserving of a special recognition, it was also important to nominate a person that illustrated unselfish dedication to the development of our youth,” stated Parks and Recreation Director, Ben Page.

KEN BOESENBERG / Press Bob Sack was given the Distinguished Service Award for all of his many contributions to the city during its dealings with RAGBRAI and as well for his service on the D.R.E.A.M. Committee (Downtown Restoration and Management Committee). Mayor Milt Kramer presented him the award.

Deb McCarty has served the Parks and Recreation Department in many different facets over the past six years. “Deb has always been willing to go out of her way to ensure participants had fun while participating. Many times over the past few years she has even made follow up phone calls on her own time to make certain that participants would enroll,” commented Manchester Mayor, Milt Kramer. Each year the City recognizes a person or a Board or Commission or a Committee or a group that has truly done an outstanding job during the year for the Distinguished Service Award. In the past honored people have come from the Library Board, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Airport Committee, the Manchester Rotary Club, the Manchester Little League and last year, the City Historian. Bob Sack was this year’s Distinguished Service Award winner. “Several decades ago when Manchester was first approached by RAGBRAI we needed someone to take charge. We needed someone who was very familiar with the workings of RAGBRAI and someone who had actually been on RAGBRAI,” state Mayor Kramer. “We didn’t have to look far to find Bob Sack. He has been a part of every RAGBRAI that has been in Manchester either as the chairperson or a committee member or as a consultant,” continued Kramer. Sack has also be a very valuable member of the D.R.E.A.M. Committee, which is the Downtown Restoration and Management Committee. The final award of the evening was given to Dr. Tim Collier, the First Citizen Award. This award is given in recognition of a person who has dedicated their time and service to an elective position, City Boards, City Commissions, and/or City Committees. The first person to receive this award was the late William Francois in 1993. Last year the award was given to Denise Parmely. “Tim truly exemplifies service to the City of Manchester,” stated Mayor Kramer. “He has been very involved with the City Council, the Water & Sewer Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Forestry Committee during his time here in town,” continued Mayor Kramer.

Hotel/Motel Tax vote November 6 by Ken Boesenberg

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 the voters of Delaware County will be asked to vote on the implementation of a Hotel and Motel Tax. This 7 percent tax will apply to individuals renting rooms in any hotel, motel, inn, public lodging, or rooming house. The tax will be split between the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department (45 percent) and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (45 percent). The remaining 10 percent would be used to maintain any new attractions that were constructed with the proposed funds. The Manchester Parks and Recreation Department would used the funds received for the construction of new parks and trails as well as for improving the existing parks and their facilities. The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce would utilize their share of the funds to provide grants for the purpose of marketing Manchester to overnight tour groups, conferences, individual travelers and the support of local events. The tax is subject to some requirements as listed in Chapter 422A of the Code of Iowa. It states that at least 50 percent of the revenues collected be used on improvements related to “recreation, convention, cultural, or entertainment facilities” or the “promotion and encouragement of tourist and convention business in the city.” For Manchester residents funds may be used to improve such community projects and facilities as Schram Park, the Aquatic Center and the Beckman Sports Complex. The tax, once imposed, would remain in effect at the rate imposed (7 percent) for a minimum of one year. After that one year period expires, the tax can be changed or repealed on one of two annual dates; Dec. 31 or June 30. In order to change or repeal an existing Hotel and Motel Tax another election must be held. There are several other questions that come up when talking about the Hotel and Motel Tax. Is the regular or school local option tax still charged? No. Room rental is not subject to either local option tax, whether or not the rental is subject to the Hotel and Motel Tax. What hotels and motels are required to collect the tax? When a tax is imposed by a city, it applies only to those hotels and motels located within the corporate boundaries of that city. When a county imposes the tax, it applies only to those hotels and motels outside the incorporated areas within the county. What sales are taxed? The tax is imposed on the gross receipts from the renting of any and all rooms, apartments, or sleeping quarters in any hotel, motel, inn, public lodging house, rooming house, tourist court, bed-and-breakfast or in any place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to transient guests for rent when contracted for periods of less than 31 consecutive days.

109 E. Delaware - P.O. Box 245 - Manchester, Iowa 52057
563-927-2020 / FAX 563-927-4945

Copyright Manchester Press 2005 - 2006
Thede Web Works - Web Questions