[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617999,"mediaKeyId","2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a","parentId",2838413,"title","Council reviews proposed stepped pay scale for fire-rescue personnel; new wages to begin with 2025 budget year","audioSeconds",23,"startMs",1332000,"endMs",1355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a&start=1332&end=1355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a/thumbnail_1332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617999/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-reviews-proposed-stepped-pay-scale-for-fire-rescue-personnel-new-wages-to-begin-with-2025-budget-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617999-9c6a6444a19e658468476c63b1fd106d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188170&Signature=Q1xFOYT4UQhJzdXx3zzFqXln4TeElURWp7W6uLuyc8UlELSz6WkEgiTQnS6zx6Diz-FW4~slXowojyl8jfPBze5EmQehYwtYg3~Jc12f7ZQFvpI2PzLYWCwU5aCFq9WPJHOuYDZHavs8ppdxr6zPiTbMX47sLOMMIZsH3TTgF7q10kd19cwkPOYNYuDL2Wgl8J~xOuWPM7MW6Z-f4I7uoMxerv69iDEkwOgRrSo-4KSGxeqUPAvGko8fESd~sXkJ64d3XNC1HmyUneiqQUUs~IgSp6K-ah-UF~hjoUajdS4vUz6EBe40swqKeG0xkinK3j9I9Jpv3F9cH~aLRWEJOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Le Mars","date","2025-04-01T20:06:55.45Z","article","City staff and the fire chief presented a proposed stepped pay scale for full-time fire-rescue personnel at the April 1 council meeting, and committees recommended council approval to implement new wages beginning with the July 1, 2025 budget year.

Staff said the Lamar City Employees bargaining unit completed the process to remove firefighter/paramedics from positions covered by the current bargaining agreement and that the fire chief requested wage adjustments and a stepped pay scale. Administration and fire rescue staff agreed on the proposed step pay scale and recommended full council approval. The packet materials state that wages for full-time hourly fire-rescue personnel will be negotiated each year, similar to police department practice.

No final wage ordinance or resolution vote appears in the available transcript excerpt; the administration recommended council approval and noted the new wages would begin with the 2025–26 budget year starting July 1, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Le Mars Council Meeting April 1, 2025 Part 1 of 4","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and the fire chief presented a proposed stepped pay scale for full-time hourly fire-rescue personnel, to take effect with the July 1, 2025 budget year; council committees recommended full council approval but wages will require annual negotiation.","taxTitle","Le Mars, Plymouth County, Iowa","taxId",64213,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618003,"Council adopts ordinance extending city park regulations to Prowers County portion of Prowers Trail (Plywood Trail)",17,1261000,1278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a&start=1261&end=1278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","/articles/6618003/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-adopts-ordinance-extending-city-park-regulations-to-Prowers-County-portion-of-Prowers-Trail-Plywood-Trail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618003-ed7e3ef184bdbc27c8185be8d8a8aa6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188170&Signature=VzX0ulputNHaVD75wmw6q4dJVZke3AnJ5QEe-iRvzOS1JLkpy4eXD11CASbYJs5~4U-ULkDZA12TJu78cTiu8ta8eCXZRjBUsQBZccBjVbooxnJ3~YY7Na-zl95ugO-XNcK50obskT45Cc1Pb7SaxoY5hgDmwVBYdpj~qhDOXthuk0ONYmOwksb5HN0magrCSLNlNACfvAw9c8pDq7nhstlL9d8q--s2kzqiNcd3vRaq50CYQ-AQpTu3nj6uaxM2ClzD9FKDTtm6NEKVc~GD05H-Fz7nwAOL2dX5Tv-XZmqTO7djGSqGOKeIFiTBjLvP~POShTYxyarYTkSrRFN8BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 1 the Lamar City Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 46 (park regulations) of the Lamar Code of Ordinances to include a portion of the Plywood Trail from Lamar to Merrill as a city park facility under the terms of the 28E agreement with the Plywood Trail Foundation.

City staff said the 28E agreement assigns maintenance and repair responsibility for that portion of the trail to the city, and the amendment clarifies that city park rules will apply on that segment. A council member asked whether adopting an ordinance for a feature outside the city limits constitutes an assumption of ownership; the city attorney (Mr. Murphy) replied that adopting the ordinance does not in itself convey ownership.

Council voted to approve the second reading, waived the third reading, and adopted ordinance No. 995 amending Chapter 46 of Lamar's code of ordinances. The motions carried on roll calls recorded in the minutes.","The council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 46 to add the portion of the Plywood Trail from Lamar to Merrill as part of the city's park facilities under a 28E agreement with the Plywood Trail Foundation; council waived third reading and adopted the ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618006,"Council approves special-use permit for 109-foot Verizon tower at 660 Eighth St. SW; FAA approval confirmed",0,1112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a&start=1112&end=1112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a/thumbnail_1112000.jpg","/articles/6618006/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-approves-special-use-permit-for-109-foot-Verizon-tower-at-660-Eighth-St-SW-FAA-approval-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618006-c15e8b3e4f37d318925167f1e448a5bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188170&Signature=aE3jWNE8vZXwhSPaem5zVdMZ3R3TSlU8nAW~SMWsJ9VRxLveD84gXUcRdDFVNkg6tqfN42S2YYBDXv1wrYaVDCN2RYOtcNlhvQeW9xsTLoziJ8OK4lmdbBHwl1GamyWH9bK51pUsc-XfyV9LuRYQdtu9QSPwTqD4ca0mO4lg3aI-QpBcW8CIW-gMDTuZrBjCqB5L33d9CjYMqwjuscQcc2i4zOhJw1n1Kf8i2CQlsCOodW6~xD11GR3i9sI60j6BSjvuqjRHlRnux89dO-YKJYXbkKeOSfEFxNQQCoPlICWP68VLZn1buH7FuID6QYBNtJ4nSGyyya11YwR0m-snCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lamar City Council on April 1 approved a special-use permit allowing Verizon Wireless to replace an existing tower at 660 Eighth Street Southwest with a 109-foot telecommunications tower.

City staff told the council that the property is zoned I-1 (light industrial) and that the district's height restriction is 45 feet; approval of tower height exceedances is vested with the council under Lamar's code of ordinances (chapter 167, as cited in meeting materials). Staff corrected earlier misstatements in the agenda packet, saying the existing tower height and the district height had been misstated in the materials. Staff also confirmed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had approved Verizon's application, removing that outstanding contingency.

A councilmember asked whether the school had been contacted because the proposed tower is near the new elementary building. Staff said neighborhood notices had been provided as part of the public process and that individual notification of the school was not required; staff also said the tower remained on the same footprint as the existing structure and that the taller structure was \"skinny\" and not expected to materially affect neighbors. A councilmember noted the tower may have a red obstruction light at night.

A motion to approve the special-use permit carried on a voice vote.","The council approved a special-use permit for a 109-foot Verizon telecommunications tower in an I-1 light industrial district at 660 Eighth Street SW after staff confirmed FAA approval; council discussed height limits and notifications to nearby properties including the new elementary school.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618008,"Council awards Lamar Industrial Park rail-extension contract to Holstein's Excavating for $349,528",315,582000,897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a&start=582&end=897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a/thumbnail_582000.jpg","/articles/6618008/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-awards-Lamar-Industrial-Park-rail-extension-contract-to-Holsteins-Excavating-for-349528","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618008-dd9605df21fec308d9b312fba1891574/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188170&Signature=mvGab6LgHYu~V-IQEfeibVVe-fQdnsEhfMe9S1~9kQJBUZtbeELgBCIYlXIx4c43w45N8DlqgwJWTerU7nVxOrAsgdiJC27I8a2BA5ctTt3mLjbB1LHj-V0RZUVuHNpAUK5QttwIDM3J9o4VUwCu1MdMMz3wZokqkdhnm0gzLdrz0TIjzDbwe8ZZWBUk~p-uTa8pykCjp-gyUXcs3TkkWqbo-I2X6bmizDrNqCj7Xj4FVSHIA-VIllU7v3BH-josv29z7iOAu136HiXlBdXoLoTKVXNLDBS3GL2urz5bF4Rkvfh732PZm1e8cihWTngYAG2Q2DibQSPqZsbsT56RfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lamar City Council on April 1 adopted Resolution 25-13 awarding the 2025 Lamar Industrial Park rail-extension contract to Holstein's Excavating of Edgerton, Minnesota, for $349,527.80.

City staff said the project will extend rail across 20 Seventh Street Southwest and through a 500-foot depth of the Lamar Industrial Park. The administration and project engineer ISG recommended award to the lowest responsive bidder after opening six bids on March 25, 2025. Staff noted the project estimate was $504,245 and that the project will be reimbursed by tax increment financing (TIF).

An ISG civil engineer, Fargi Hooksra, told council that rail work typically attracts fewer bidders and that the low bid appeared complete. ISG staff said they spoke with the low bidder and verified quantities and scope; they noted a different bidder\u0000Halcyon's (transcript) had an abnormally low number and that there had been some scope confusion with that bidder's rail subcontractor. ISG said it will monitor for change orders and perform customary quality and compaction testing, including geotechnical oversight and ballast placement beneath the track.

Council called the roll after a motion to adopt the resolution; the motion carried.","Lamar City Council awarded a contract for the 2025 Industrial Park rail-extension project to Holstein's Excavating of Edgerton, Minnesota, for $349,527.80; the project is to be reimbursed by TIF and aims for an October completion.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618010,"Lamar sets public hearing and bid schedule for downtown traffic-signal modernization",274,214000,488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a&start=214&end=488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838413-0110fce4bd0038e3b6b8dd7b737adc8a/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6618010/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Lamar-sets-public-hearing-and-bid-schedule-for-downtown-traffic-signal-modernization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618010-185b791cb199572ead629d6680f4fe35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188170&Signature=iW7NuWreniLhmnnarY5r1lHd9fuS-GAdR9g0EKSKwlIOcyTdyVFFaopIVqKV4Pwv6tWRqb9luR99JM0vBJagYNZswmQTIoU9Qcw0cC-3vNFDKweF5hW-Th1pxjfRQoWiqwGMZhyX1IOaCo8zq6vCbtw0P9HMkSVri7GLb2b9sgNt-QSHszTSGrM5DfKN9v9XQcnhJhwkKmBtmA9~Yv2jIxZ394BdEgzoYDICQLuRoA5gndAFppkE9G92j6kMNTxbZK44KhRrqzSB72pwnyKSg9yDhNtLRRUD1TT0Xe-kE2N9f2qxgNIX7u8fnFmqve5x32vc~fUvgyksxMKKckhl1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lamar City Council on April 1 set an April 15 public hearing and a May 7 bid opening for plans to modernize traffic signals at three downtown intersections.

City staff said Stanley Consultants reviewed existing signal equipment and performed a signal-warrant analysis in summer 2024 and found much of the equipment is more than 40 years old. Administration recommended the public hearing on plan specifications, form of contract and estimated cost, and a bid opening on May 7 at 3 p.m., with an anticipated award at the May 20 meeting and completion by Nov. 30, 2025.

The administration presented an estimated project cost of $865,000 to be funded with local option sales tax. Council discussed a base bid that would replace key equipment at three intersections on Plymouth Street and an alternate that, if accepted, would replace all equipment at First Street and Central as well so that all three intersections would be completely replaced.

Council members asked about signal timing changes and the impact on highway traffic. A council member was told the project would extend the passage time on Plymouth to give north–south traffic longer green phases for semitrailers and larger vehicles. Staff said the upgraded signals would be connected by fiber for synchronization so they would remain in timed coordination.

A motion to establish the April 15, 2025, public hearing at noon and to set May 7, 2025, at 3 p.m. to receive and open bids carried on a voice vote.","City Council set an April public hearing and May bid opening for a downtown traffic-signal modernization project estimated at $865,000, funded by local option sales tax, with a potential alternate to fully replace signal equipment at three intersections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews proposed stepped pay scale for fire-rescue personnel; new wages to begin with 2025 budget year

Council adopts ordinance extending city park regulations to Prowers County portion of Prowers Trail (Plywood Trail)

Council approves special-use permit for 109-foot Verizon tower at 660 Eighth St. SW; FAA approval confirmed

Council awards Lamar Industrial Park rail-extension contract to Holstein's Excavating for $349,528

Lamar sets public hearing and bid schedule for downtown traffic-signal modernization