Audubon Upper Story Housing Project Approved for Iowa Economic Authority Block Grant

(Audubon) Region XII approved an Iowa Economic Authority Development Block Grant contract agreement for an upper-story housing conversion grant project on Broadway Street in Audubon. This item fell under new business at Monday’s Audubon City Council meeting.

Matt Campbell is converting a building at 226 Broadway into three apartment units for low-to-moderate-income families for the first three years, with no stipulations after that. The grant is for $580,000. This is the second Iowa Economic Development Authority Block Grant Audubon has received for an upper-story housing conversion project.

The Audubon City Council also approved the rental property inspection contract with Region XII. The inspection fee is $50.00 per unit, $50.00 for re-inspection, $50.00 for no-shows, and $50.00 per hour for court appearances. The City will submit a list of rental property owners and their properties to Region XII. The City will collect the appropriate inspection fees from the rental property owners and contact them to schedule the inspection.

At Monday’s meeting, the Audubon City Council also discussed squatters and abandoned properties. A family appearing at the meeting discussed a recent purchase of some property inhabited by squatters. The family believes more needs to be done to improve the handling of these abandoned properties. City Officials ask residents to report any suspicious activity to the Audubon City Clerk’s Office or to the Audubon Police Department.

In other business, the City Council is considering amending the chickens and roosters ordinance within the city limits of Audubon. The city has received complaints regarding chickens and roosters and the ordinance, and more details may be added to it. The Council did not act on this agenda item.