The Central City Village Board voted Tuesday evening against creating a perpetual communications easement with SBA Communications regarding village property on which SBA operates a cellular tower.
Had the proposal been approved, Central City would have received a lump sum payment of $145,000 and would continue to own the land on which the tower sits. Under the current easement arrangement with SBA, the village receives a monthly payment of $690; that agreement began in 2014 and is renewable every five years for up to 50 total years. Board members held a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of accepting the perpetual easement and lump sum. However, they ultimately recommended seeking a sum of $175,000 instead, and Mayor Neely Reed told the board he would communicate that request to SBA.
In other action, the board approved the purchase of a sign welcoming visitors to West Side Park. The sign will be constructed by Kaco Signs, in an amount not to exceed $500.
Board members also approved an ordinance declaring 315 East Green Street as surplus property and authorizing its sale. Bids for the property will be opened at the board’s next meeting, on March 26, and must be submitted one week prior to the meeting.
Reed also provided board members with an update on the village’s animal control situation. He reported that he had spoken with the mayors of Sandoval, Junction City and Odin and that they were receptive to the possibility of the four communities sharing the costs associated with having animal control services. Reed says he will continue to talk with the other mayors, as several issues would still need to be resolved such as who would serve as animal control officer, what the officer’s salary would be and where captured animals would be taken.
