City inks 3-year deal for Summer Roundup

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

We are looking at the city investing $15,000 in in-kind services and labor to that. I think that with something that’s part of our vision, it’s a very good return on the investment when we bring those people in. It builds on the Rodeo and the Fort Madison brand and everyone stands to win on this one.”

Matt Mohrfeld, FM Mayor

FORT MADISON – The new Summer Roundup that is part of the Tri-State Rodeo got a thumbs up from the City of Fort Madison Tuesday.
As part of the council’s regular meeting, the City Council approved a three-year lease agreement with the Fort Madison Rodeo Corporation for the use of city services for the summer concert weekend.
A memo from City Manager Laura Liegois said the lease agreement will outline the need for services and hotel/motel tax to assist with the cost of the services.
Fort Madison Mayor Matt Mohrfeld said the event is part of the visioning of Fort Madison.
“Using the Rodeo Arena outside of that weekend is one of the things high on that list,” Mohrfeld said.
“We are looking at the city investing $15,000 in in-kind services and labor to that. I think it’s a very good return on the investment when we bring those people in. It builds on the Rodeo and the Fort Madison brand and everyone stands to win on this one.”
Newly sworn–in councilman Matt Emmett said the new event was amazing and supported the event. He asked event chairman Tony Johnson about the breadth of city services that would be required to put on the event.
“I think this is an amazing event…Are there going to be people to help clean up the camping park, or is that something you’re going to ask the city for,” Emmett asked.
Johnson said the committee has always volunteered to help with cleanup and said the city has been great to work with, and that relationship would continue.
“Yes, to answer your question, if that is a need, that is something that we would help with," Johnson said.
“I totally get it for the first year, but do you see year two or year three, are you going to try to pay for the city’s services instead of taking it out of hotel/motel tax,” Emmett said.
Johnson said the committee doesn’t want to lean on the city any more than is necessary and said if the event starts running in the black, it could be discussed, but the committee has always appreciated the city’s support.
He said the committee does well with the rodeo and the event is being tagged as a pre-rodeo event and is piggy backing the Tri-State Rodeo brand.
The actual lease wasn't presented at the meeting.
In other action, the council:
• approved the final reading of an ordinance rezoning property located at 1326 Avenue E to multiple family dwelling district to allow for the construction of the James Block Apartments at the former Lincoln Elementary School.
• tabled a resolution to sign a professional services agreement with architects for the proposed public works building.
• appointed Barb Asay to the city’s Construction Board of Appeals with a term expiring Sept. 30, 2027.
• awarded a $2.4 million contract to Jones Contracting for the reconstruction of Avenue L from 20th to 30th streets.