The Pella City Council approved several agenda items relating to property in the city at their meeting Tuesday evening.

The second reading of an ordinance to vacate a city alley on the 700 block of Independence and Peace Streets was approved. Public hearing dates were also scheduled for January 15th to convey that property to First Baptist Church and RDP Holdings, LLC. The city block is the site of the Webster Park housing development just south of downtown Pella, with 42 new housing units of varying uses proposed to be complete by the middle of 2021. Additionally, council set a public hearing on the 15th to convey property at the intersection of Liberty and West 4th street to allow a nearby property owner to sell due to an issue with the previous title.

Following regular business, they discussed the latest surrounding potential conversion of gravel roads in the city limits to hard surface, starting with 218th Avenue near Neil Drive. Ultimately, council will make consideration about including the project as an asphalt overlay at their upcoming budget process, while they will send annexation notice to property owners along the road who currently reside in the county up to the Shady Brook development. A second gravel road conversion along 218th Avenue up to St. Mary’s Church will be considered at a work session on January 8th.