Council approves variance for parking surface

The Tea City Council met July 6 and held a public hearing on a variance.

Community development director Albert Schmidt presented information for a variance at 1601 E. 1st Street for temporary approval for a non-hard surface for the parking area along East 1st Street. He said the area would help them move product across their property without going on 1st Street. The council approved the variance.

Vicki Pick spoke to the council during public comment about the Tea Community Hall. She said that the hall averages 2.5 days a week average of rental of the facility. In 2025, they had 112 rentals and this year that are on pace for 103. She expressed concerns over the deteriorating conditions of the building, in particular, the roof. She said they have several places where it leaks. She urged the council to come to a decision on what the city wants to do with the facility.

The council plans to discuss the Tea Community Hall and other items at their capital improvement plan meeting on July 13.

The council approved a resolution of the Tea Chamber for Development establishing the Tea Economic Development Corporation in a bylaws amendment. This committee will operate under the chamber and be made up of seven people. 

The committee is tasked with economic development functions.

City administrator Justin Weiland presented the information for the mill and overlay project. They received six bids and the low bid came in at $154,376.10 from Black Top Paving. This bid came in below the engineer’s estimate of $247,390. Since it came in under budget, the council suggested adding on some small areas that the maintenance department deems necessary. The council approved the bid from Black Top Paving.

After some discussion, the council approved the construction oversight and administration contract with Confluence to oversee the construction of the pickleball court project with KL Construction. The contract is for the amount of $15,600 that includes the review and processing of all pay requests, on-site verification of construction, on-site meetings and more.

In his report, Schmidt asked the council for opinions on commercial district overlay. He provided a building plan for the property where the old Valley Exchange Bank building is. While the council appreciates the steps taken to make the building addition look better, they would like them to continue to work to make it more appealing with more glass on the side of the building facing 1st Street.

In Weiland’s report, he said they have a lot of data for the council to consider when trying to make a decision on EMS services. He also asked the council to consider putting up a sign at the city maintenance shop.

The council adjourned at 6:57 p.m.