Pandemic pinch affecting community center

The Hartley City Council on Monday extended a helping hand to a local event center that's been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to restrictions on social gatherings, the Hartley Community Center has hosted very few events during the past year. The lack of gigs has pinched the venue's bank account and strained finances significantly, which led the board of directors to seek help from the council.

According to board President Alic Mohni, the community center has approximately $2,200 in its bank account, which would last for three months. He asked if the city would be willing to assist with utility expenses until May when events are expected to pick up again.

"We're really hoping that this summer we'll be keeping those events booked and hoping to have a busy year if this [pandemic] ever turns around," Mohni said. "Once we get up and going again, we're confident we'll be fine."

Mohni and board Vice President Nick Galm shared the community center's monthly expenses with the council. They said Director Brittany Dolphin has looked into various grants and other assistance programs, but the facility only qualifies for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Dolphin is applying for the second round of PPP funding after the community center failed to qualify for a shuttered venue operators grant.

Mohni said contributions from local businesses and community members have helped during the past few months, but the facility still needs the city's backing to stay afloat until the summer. He also said Dolphin didn't qualify for unemployment and is still working at the facility on limited basis booking future events, showing the building and completing other operational tasks. Mohni noted her wages have already been affected due to a lack of events and the board wanted to compensate her fairly for the work she's doing.

"We feel like she still needs to be paid for her time," Mohni said.

The council was uncomfortable donating utilities to the community center, and instead agreed to donate one lump sum of $5,000 to help the venue get through the spring.

"We'll see what the future brings, I guess," said Mayor Rodney Ahrenstroff.

• City to move forward with CDBG application

Also during the meeting, the council held a public hearing to consider the submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to assist with the replacement of a lift station along 8th Avenue East.

The project has an estimated price tag of $1.1 million and is hoped to get underway late this summer or early fall. The city is seeking $500,000 in CDBG funds, with the rest of construction expenses being financed through a State Revolving Fund loan.

Once completed, the upgrades will reduce sewer backups in homes and flooding in east Hartley. The proposed project will not result in the displacement or relocation of any people or businesses.

• Derelict building grant may help Capitol Theatre demo

City Administrator Erica Haack said she will apply for the Iowa DNR's Derelict Building Program, which provides funding for the demolition of hazardous structures in Iowa communities.

Hartley would use the funds to help cover demolition expenses of the old Capitol Theatre on Central Avenue. The council in September agreed to acquire the building from Dwight and Darla Jacobs, of Spirit Lake. The arrangement ended months of legal wrangling, which began in 2019 after the council declared the dilapidated former theater a dangerous building on the advice of county-level health officials.

With no options for restoration, it will have to be razed. A previous estimate pegged demolition expenses at around $130,000.

The deadline to apply for the Derelict Building Grant is Feb. 26. Haack said the grant money could be used on building inspection costs, asbestos abatement and demolition expenses depending on how the DNR designates the award.