Mantorville council discusses improvements

Improvements are coming to the downtown area. The planned upgrades include 12 benches, 12 planters, and six matching trash cans. The cost for the project is $40,000. The budget only has $6,000 available, so the remaining funds are anticipated to come through donations. $1500 will sponsor a bench with a memorial plate. Those interested in donating a bench or planter can contact the Mantorville City office.
Mantorville has also received a water fountain donation for Mantor Field from the Mantorville Restoration Association. The fountain is valued at $6,000 and will be installed this year.
Councilman Jim Potter sought a delay in constructing the new pickleball courts. Potter motioned to suspend the project until a third-party study could be conducted. Councilwoman Kim Boyum seconded the motion. During the discussion, Potter explained that even though the sound produced by pickleball was within the defined decibel limits, the frequency of the sound is annoying to some and could be considered a nuisance. He also reported finding no studies supporting an increase in property values from the installation of pickleball courts in a neighborhood. Potter expressed concern that the city had not done the required due diligence to avoid lawsuits.
Mayor Jeff Ingalls expressed a desire for people to submit ideas for solutions rather than just objections to the project. He suggested acquiring the old relay lot next to the post office as an alternative location for the courts.
Questions were raised concerning the legality of putting the project on hold since a previous council already approved it. Potter chose not to amend his motion to include a provision that would consult the city attorney on the appropriateness of the motion. The motion failed on a four-to-one vote.
Immediately following the motion’s failure, councilman Lyle Hoaglund proposed a motion to consult the city attorney and conduct further research into the pickleball court. The motion passed unanimously. It was decided to defer all these questions to the planned attorney training on March 10 at 5 p.m.