Council Approves Housing Development Plan
On Monday evening the Montezuma City Council unanimously approved a plan for the south housing development as presented by MMS Consulting of Iowa City. The plan includes a mixed-use development of 24 lots, which will include zoning for single-family and multi-family housing. MMS is currently accepting bids from general contractors, with the option for an eager contractor to deliver the development as early as November of this year. The alternate date for completion is June 1, 2013. Bids from contractors will be reviewed and accepted before work begins. The estimated project cost is $620,000, but may be well below the estimates after a bid has been accepted. Recommendations for the Housing Review Board will be introduced to the council in the coming weeks. The new board will oversee individual lot and building designs to ensure city ordinances and subdivision covenants are met prior to the building permit process.
In addition, the Iowa Finance Authority is conducting a comprehensive, statewide housing study in partnership with RDG Planning & Design. An online survey has been established to narrow down needs for specific areas and communities, including Montezuma. The quick 10-minute survey will assist the Iowa Finance Authority in strategic planning to better serve the current needs of Iowans. Follow the link for the survey:
Better Choices, Better Health Workshop Coming Soon!
Montezuma will host a six-week workshop focused on
finding practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue, stress, and to make better
choices with nutrition and exercise. Persons with chronic conditions such as
diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, or
anxiety may find new ways to manage complicated conditions through understanding
new treatment options and by finding better ways to talk with doctors and
family members about your health. Better Choices, Better Health is sponsored in
part by the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging and the Community Transformation
Grant through the CDC. The workshop will be held at the Montezuma Public
Library on Thursdays from 1-3:30 p.m. beginning October 4th and ending November
8th. The $20 cost will cover materials, with scholarships available for those
who are 60 or older. Information to sign-up for the class is forthcoming.
Montezuma Exploring Congregate Meals Program
The Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging has been working in cooperation with MCD to explore the need to offer a congregate meal and activity center for local persons ages 60 and older. Grinnell and Brooklyn offer similar programs through their Healthy Lifestyles Centers. In the coming weeks, HVAAA will be looking at possible locations and surveying community needs. Congregate meals would be offered daily, Monday through Friday and the designated facility would also serve as a drop-in center and gathering place for planned activities. HVAAA hopes to begin offering other services and support programs, including workshops on bettering health and empowerment programs for caregivers.
Business Grants Available, Up to $15,000!
Farmers Market
Tuesdays 3-6 p.m.
Poweshiek County Historical Society & Museum
Summer Nights on the Square
Tuesday, August 14 from 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, September 11 from 6-8 p.m.
Live Music, Food, Games, Antique Cars
All-Iowa Writers Conference
Saturday, September 15
Montezuma High School
October Save-the-Date
Civil War Exhibition, Fri-Sun, Oct. 5-7
Annual Harvest Market, Sat, Oct. 6
Fall Community Clean-Up, Sat, Oct. 13 @ 9:00 a.m.
Downtown Resource Center Visit, Wed-Thurs, Oct. 17-18
Downtown Public Forum, Thurs, Oct. 18 @ 7:30 p.m.
