Eldridge is among three sites in the running for a meat processing plant that would employ up to 250 people.
Eldridge council members on Monday launched an industrial rezoning to accommodate a firm considering a plant on part of 140 farmed acres the company owns just west of First Street at Blackhawk Trail.
Council members agreed to rezone the land from suburban agriculture to industrial, but backed off city administrator Lisa Kotter’s recommendation to speed up the rezoning.
Council member Brian Dockery sought assurances the meat plant deal would go through before committing to the Industrial 2 zoning that allows salvage lots, fertilizer manufacturers and heavier industries.
QUIA LLC in November purchased land that LNL LLC bought from Dennis P. Downing for $2.35 million in 2018. Both LLCs are represented by the same Bettendorf attorney.
Kotter said Eldridge is among three communities under consideration by the firm for “Project Silver.”
Council members approved the first of three required readings of the rezoning. Kotter had asked the council to speed up the rezoning by giving final approval at the Jan. 19 meeting. Dockery supported the first reading, but urged the council to slow it down.
“What if they don’t pick us?” Dockery asked. “How many times have developers switched gears on us before? I’m not opposed to this plan. I’m just opposed to ramming it right through and giving carte blanche on this property without us knowing what it is,” he said.
After the meeting, Kotter said Eldridge is among three vying for a plant operated by a meat producer, but will not involve slaughtering or rendering.
She said the company is seeking local property tax and state tax credit incentives, and a state transportation grant that could cover most of the cost for extending Blackhawk Trail west to Buttermilk Road.
“This would be a significant tax base increase, both in building and equipment, and a significant number of jobs in the first three years, about 250,” Kotter said.
She said the specific type of meat processing would be new to this company, and require lots of Eldridge treated water.
She said the firm’s other two prospective sites already are properly zoned.
“They’re down to the top three sites. We’re the one not zoned. I think it’s important when vying to be a top selected site that you have every duck you have in a row,” Kotter said.
Eldridge’s land-use plan has long targeted the local site for industrial development, like the adjacent properties to the south and east.
She said no neighbors contested the rezoning. Some asked if it might impede the city’s plan to extend Blackhawk Trail. Kotter said if successful, the project could expedite that project.
Council member Bernie Peeters made the motion to approve the first reading, and discuss it further at a special meeting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday before proceeding.
“I want to do it in a way that doesn’t jeopardize this project. Just because we do the first reading and a second reading doesn’t mean it’s a done deal,” he said.
The next council meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 19, a day later because of the Martin Luther King holiday.
The land for Project Silver is owned by QUIA LLC. It was formed June 16 by Andrew Thompson, who registered the firm at the Davenport office of attorney David J. Franks. QUIA purchased the property from LNL LLC, listed by the Iowa Secretary of State as a family farm limited liability company. It was registered in 2003 by attorney Franks for client David H. Meier, according to Secretary of State records.
YMCA bids
Council approved the bidding specifications for the North Scott YMCA. The same document needs North Scott school board approval before bids are sought on an estimated $14 million taxpayer-funded fitness center at East LeClaire Road and Fourth Street, in Eldridge.
Demolition bids will be opened Jan. 12 to take down a building on the site owned by Eldridge city and utilities. Kotter expected it will be gone by the end of February.
Pay hikes for city staff and police
Council members approved four-year contracts with 17 city staff and nine full-time police officers.
City workers represented by the Eldridge Employees Association will see general wage increases of 2.5 percent the first year, then annual increases of 3.0, 3.0, and 3.5 in each of the following years. The contract covers five in public works, three water utility, two sewer utility, five electric utility and two office staff.
The council and police represented by the Eldridge Public Safety Association agreed to wage increases of 2.5, 2.75, 3.0 and 3.5 percent in each of the next four years. The council also agreed to provide officers:
• Time-and-a-half overtime pay after eight daily hours, instead of 40 weekly hours.
• Double time for shifts that go over 16 hours.
• Straight pay for six-hour rest periods after double shifts.
• 24 hours of personal leave upon hiring, and 40 hours after one year. Officers previously were not eligible for personal leave their first year.
The council also moved up step, or longevity increases, for corporal Andrew Lellig and Sgt. Joe Sisler. Previously, the city’s pay policy didn’t count seniority earned before their promotions in 2018.
“It was a disincentive for officers to seek promotions,” Kotter said.
No employees will see health insurance premium increases under this contract, Kotter said. Police may negotiate health benefits, but Iowa legislators in 2017 forbid health benefits from other public employee wage negotiations.
Officer wanted
Chief Dave Kopatich said he’s seeking a replacement for Eldridge officer Sam Hansen, who left Saturday to work for the West Des Moines department.
Snow tickets
Eldridge police stuck with warning tickets for those who ignored snow parking rules during last week’s storms. “I want to give people a fair shot at it,” Chief Kopatich told the council.
The council in November decided that heavy fines would be more persuasive than tow threats during big snows. The new fines are $50 for a first offense, $100 for second, and $200 for third offenses. He said some vehicles on Donahue street remained after getting warning tickets. “All we’re looking for is people to comply. We’ll deal with them, and if we have to, we’ll call for a wrecker.”