The Pella City Council awarded a contract for renovations to the Sunken Gardens windmill at their meeting Tuesday.

The project is an over $215,000 update to the structure last renovated 31 years ago, with city staff reporting several issues with the building to council. This is the third time the council has tried to bid the project, in an attempt to reduce the cost, but the bid came in well over engineer’s estimates at approximately $175,000.

An engineering services contract for the Vermeer Trail connection project and a consulting services agreement for development of a telecommunications utility plan were approved. The utility plan will be completed sometime in September, with the council likely taking action later this fall. It will include an assessment of current service levels, fiber optic infrastructure, and short-term service capacity, as well as analyze and recommend an operating model. Advanced metering infrastructure for electric and water services will also be considered in the plan. Over 92% of voters approved the utility in a special ballot measure May 1st.

In addition, special use permits were approved for the Pella 4th of July Celebration and Ag in the City.