The Pella City Council heard budget presentations for the upcoming fiscal year at their meeting this week. Representatives from Pella Historical Society, Historic Pella Trust, the Pella Dog Park Association, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church were given 15 minutes to share their proposals.

Pella Historical Society is asking council to consider a request to divert 12 percent of the hotel-motel tax fund to the non-profit to bolster marketing efforts. Currently, the city gives the Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau 60% of the fund, but have indicated their desire to move away from percentages to set numbers instead for money coming from the levy.

The Pella Dog Park Association proposed development of a five-acre dog park on Truman road, which could cost nearly $280,000, which representatives say could be a share between the city and donations with both finances and duties in operating a potential space for canines.

Historic Pella Trust indicated their desire to create an educational walkway from the Sunken Gardens park to the historic Tuttle Cabin on Lincoln Street via an unused alleyway. They too are seeking donations to pay for a majority, if not all of project, seeking an agreement from city staff to own and maintain at least a portion of the developed area once completed.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church indicated they would like to see 218th Place leading up to their location converted from gravel to hard-surface, primarily for safety reasons and potential future development. Representatives from the church indicated they could provide upwards of approximately $250,000 to help fund the estimated $670,000 asphalt overlay for the road stretching through only a portion of the city limits.

No formal action was taken in regards to the fiscal year items, which will be further discussed at upcoming work sessions for the Pella City Council. Special meetings will be held on Monday, January 8th at 6 p.m.–which is a two-year planning session, and on February 12th and 13th, the dates for the annual budget workshops. Additionally, more budget presentations for the upcoming fiscal year are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th, including Fields for our Future about the next phase of the Sports Park and converting 218th Avenue near Shady Brook from gravel to hard surface.