1. NEXT MEETING: The next council meeting is Tuesday (Monday is Labor Day) September 8 at 6:00 pm.
2. CONCRETE PLANT: Chuck Burgin and I met with the Bollanders and there are 2-3 potential sites in the industrial park that will be reviewed. There is still significant concern about the cost of a relocation. We’ll meet again in 3 weeks which gives time for site plan and cost estimate development.
3. “Y” STREET UPDATE: The majority of the grading on phases 2 and 3 is complete. Most of the telephone line conflicts are complete except for the intersection of Euclid and “Y”. Unfortunately minimal work was performed due to the wet weather in the past week. 25 working days have been used out of the 116 specified.
4. W HWY 92: The meeting in Ames on the 27th outlined the responsibilities of the various departments involved in the project, i.e. right-of-way acquisition, engineering, project administration and environmental. Progress continues.
However, IDOT’s Brian Morrissey could not say when the remainder of the highway (to I-35) would be completed. At this time is appears the DOT is interested only in the stretch from “R” to R-57. It may take more local effort to get the remainder in the 5-year plan.
5. BALLOON MUSUEM DITCH: Finance Director Laurie Hebl reports the culvert extension/drainage repair will be recommended as part of the I-Jobs program that pays 50%. The city will have to pay the remaining $188,000 of the estimated $376,000 project.
A recommendation will be brought to council in the next few weeks.
6. LEGISLATORS: Diana Bowlin reports Staci Appel and Kent Sorensen are available November 16 which is a normal council meeting. We can begin at 6:00 with our representatives and then move into remaining agenda.
7. BURN PITS: Chief Brian Seymour reports he’s received a complaint or two regarding the covered burning devices people often use in their back yards for entertainment. Brian does not have concerns about them because they are covered and used to burn wood as opposed to leaves or garbage. The state code also allows them under its open burning section.
While the Indianola code does not address them Brian is going to work with John this winter to determine whether a reference to them is warranted.
8. FIRE TRUCK: Brian Seymour reports there were three bids on the 1986 equipment truck and the high was from the city of Milo for $6,666,66. $5,000 was the highest trade so selling was a good option. Milo picked up the unit on August 27.
9. RETAIL BAGS: This month’s meeting was delayed because the bags have yet to arrive, and, it is not sure when they’ll be here. Until we know, we cannot plan a weekend to sell them (to replace the plastic bags).
The committee still anticipates a promotion in early October.
10. RAINFALL: As of August 27th, we received 2.8 inches of rain and Dan Miers reports they didn’t experience any sanitary sewer overflows or basement backup complaints. All the lifts stations and North Treatment Plant maintained flows. Our total flow went from 1.39 million gallons on the 26th to 7.91 million gallons on the 27th. While sewer main repairs to date have a positive effect, Dan Miers reports the dry ground was also a significant factor.
11. SQUARE BUILDINGS: Since there appears to be little progress regarding the square building replacement/renovations, Community Development Office Manager Mindi Robinson is scheduling a meeting for next week. Attendees include owners, lawyers, insurance reps and the city.
12. 19TH STREET: Chuck Burgin, John Hoyman and I continue to work with attorney David Swinton to reach a settlement on the 19th Street repairs. The street defaulted badly well within the bond period and has temporarily been repaired. A full replacement is the ultimate solution toward which we are working.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
News Items - August 24, 2009
1. NEXT MEETING: The next council meeting is September 8.
2. LEAN: Glen Cowan and I met with DMACC reps on the 20th to discuss the LEAN Program. In your packet is their power point presentation highlighting the process. They plan to develop a proposal based on the P&R Dept and will present it next week.
3. W HWY 92: The W Hwy 92 Committee met on the 19th to discuss the proposed project from “R” Street thru R-57 (see aerial). R.O.W. will be purchased in 2012 and grading/paving will occur in 2013 according to the estimated $11 million budget.
A staff meeting will be held next week in Ames that kicks off the project with some initial planning and I plan to attend.
4. ALLEY: With Steve Bonnett’s assistance, the east/west alley on the square’s west side was closed due to unsafe condition of the Warren County building (formerly People’s Bank). Community Development Director Chuck Burgin has an engineer’s report and the recommendation is to close it to public use.
5. TAXES: Warren County property tax bills are in the mail and they show Indianola as 29% of the entire bill. The school is 51% and county 18% in addition to very small portions for the county Assessor’s Office and Ag Extension office. Total taxes on a $150,000 home increased about $42 of which about $35 goes to the school.
6. RECYCLING: Jeff McCoy reports the price of a 96-gallon toter is about $50 and 4,300 would be needed for single-family dwellings in Indianola. The approximate $210,000 cost would raise our monthly rate from $2.15 to over $3.00 according to Jeff.
7. CONCRETE PLANT: A meeting is scheduled for August 26 to continue discussions on the plant relocation.
8. STRATEGIC PLAN: The P&R Strategic Plan cost just under $3,500 and included 2 one-day sessions with staff, a three-hour session with the Commission and another one and one/half hour session with the focus group.
9. NOISE ORDINANCE: A copy of the noise ordinance is in council packets.
10. STREET LIGHTING: Todd Kielkopf reports the Electric Dept. purchased 12 induction street lights that will be placed in the subdivision just south of the John Deere store. The fluorescent-type lights are reported to use 50% less energy and have a brighter appearance. Unfortunately they cost about 3 times more than standard bulbs. The 12 lights will be installed over the next week or so, and at least one will be metered to compare electricity usage.
11. NORTH Y STREET: Phase I paving is complete, as well as intakes, backfilling, and final grade. The majority of the grading on phases 2 and 3 is complete as well. Weather permitting; paving of phase 2 should be complete by Friday August 28.
2. LEAN: Glen Cowan and I met with DMACC reps on the 20th to discuss the LEAN Program. In your packet is their power point presentation highlighting the process. They plan to develop a proposal based on the P&R Dept and will present it next week.
3. W HWY 92: The W Hwy 92 Committee met on the 19th to discuss the proposed project from “R” Street thru R-57 (see aerial). R.O.W. will be purchased in 2012 and grading/paving will occur in 2013 according to the estimated $11 million budget.
A staff meeting will be held next week in Ames that kicks off the project with some initial planning and I plan to attend.
4. ALLEY: With Steve Bonnett’s assistance, the east/west alley on the square’s west side was closed due to unsafe condition of the Warren County building (formerly People’s Bank). Community Development Director Chuck Burgin has an engineer’s report and the recommendation is to close it to public use.
5. TAXES: Warren County property tax bills are in the mail and they show Indianola as 29% of the entire bill. The school is 51% and county 18% in addition to very small portions for the county Assessor’s Office and Ag Extension office. Total taxes on a $150,000 home increased about $42 of which about $35 goes to the school.
6. RECYCLING: Jeff McCoy reports the price of a 96-gallon toter is about $50 and 4,300 would be needed for single-family dwellings in Indianola. The approximate $210,000 cost would raise our monthly rate from $2.15 to over $3.00 according to Jeff.
7. CONCRETE PLANT: A meeting is scheduled for August 26 to continue discussions on the plant relocation.
8. STRATEGIC PLAN: The P&R Strategic Plan cost just under $3,500 and included 2 one-day sessions with staff, a three-hour session with the Commission and another one and one/half hour session with the focus group.
9. NOISE ORDINANCE: A copy of the noise ordinance is in council packets.
10. STREET LIGHTING: Todd Kielkopf reports the Electric Dept. purchased 12 induction street lights that will be placed in the subdivision just south of the John Deere store. The fluorescent-type lights are reported to use 50% less energy and have a brighter appearance. Unfortunately they cost about 3 times more than standard bulbs. The 12 lights will be installed over the next week or so, and at least one will be metered to compare electricity usage.
11. NORTH Y STREET: Phase I paving is complete, as well as intakes, backfilling, and final grade. The majority of the grading on phases 2 and 3 is complete as well. Weather permitting; paving of phase 2 should be complete by Friday August 28.
Friday, August 14, 2009
News Items - August 17, 2009
1. I&I CITIES: In the council packet is a list of 70 cities the IDNR designated for infiltration and inflow removal. When Indianola was first notified, there were about 10 cities. Dan expects the list to grow to about 110 in the next year.
Office Manager Skye Jacobs, Laurie Hebl, John Hoyman, Dan Miers and I met on the 11th to discuss the $2,000 loan program which is payable over 7 years at 5% interest. The loan is for homeowners having excessive costs to repair leaking services and that amount was set (by council) in 1996. Given the 13-year time lapse, the $2,000 is not covering the cost of some repairs we are seeing today. Our recommendation will be to raise the amount to $3,500.
In addition, Dan is contacting other cities to get comparisons on their (non-repair) fee. Given the cost of some of these repairs, our $50/mo fee can be less than the monthly loan amount. A recommendation may also be made to raise this fee creating incentive to remove/repair the I&I problem.
2. TAXES: City Clerk Diana Bowlin updated the tables (see packet) showing tax rates, taxable value/capita and taxes paid/capita for the 62 Iowa cities with a population of 6,500 and greater. Indianola ranks 12th, 28th and 12th respectively in those categories.
It is worth noting that while Indianola’s tax base/capita is 28th, our tax rate is 12th.
3. SUMMERCREST HILLS: A reminder the unveiling of the Summercrest Master plan will be held August 18 at 11:00 am on the development’s southwest corner. Please plan to attend.
4. LABOR DAY: Labor Day is Monday, September 7, so the council meeting will move to Tuesday the 8th. Please mark your calendars.
5. OLD SEWER PLANT: Kevin Halterman and I continue to discuss options regarding the former sewer plant land on N Country Club Rd. A recommendation will be brought to council in several weeks.
The land was originally bought from Dale Ewalt on September 22, 1950 for $3,000.
6. CENTRAL IOWA TRAILS: Glen Cowan has been working with the Central Iowa Trails group to draft signage and logos to be used on central Iowa trails. The idea is to have consistent signage/logos throughout the system.
An agreement has been drafted and will be considered by the Des Moines City Council in September and then taken to metro city councils for their review. The (no-charge) agreement will be on an October council agenda for formal consideration.
7. MUNICIPAL BUILDING PROGRESS: The two east columns have been replaced and work on the south entry columns will begin this week. Brick replacement and tuck pointing is still in process. Community Development should be completed within 2-3 weeks. The contractor plans on roof replacement shortly after September 1st.
8. PARK DEDICATION: The Park Dedication Committee met on the 11th after a somewhat lengthy process to get “zones” designated on the geographic information mapping system. The proposed ordinance was reviewed and is highlighted as follows:
• When new plats are submitted, developers will be required to dedicate .005 acres of land/single family dwelling to the city for trail development
• If the land is not part of our future trail system, the city can sell it and use the revenue for future trail expansion
• The developer has the option to voluntarily contribute financially in-lieu of a land dedication
The ordinance is similar to those in Johnston, Urbandale and West Des Moines and is based on the premise that new development creates a need for more park/trail space. Therefore new development helps provide the land necessary to expand.
A recommendation will be brought to council in a couple months.
9. ELECTRIC RATES: General Manager Todd Kielkopf reports that rates for street lighting ($95,000 average cost/yr) will remain the same with the new rate structure that will be recommended to the trustees effective November 1, 2009. Great news!!
10. LIBRARY: The Library Board hired Shive Hattery (same firm doing municipal building) to review the HVAC system for $8,000 plus expenses. The system is 25 years old and in need of replacement.
11. BLOOD SCREEN: The annual employee blood screen is scheduled for October 27.
12. MEETING: Just a reminder, Congressman Tom Latham, will hold a meeting on August 28 at the Warren County Administrative Building from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to discuss policies and issues.
13. HWY 92 MEETING: The committee will meet August 19 at 3:00 p.m. in the council chambers to discuss:
• What is new to the DOT's Five-Year Program
• Project overview
• Project funding.
14. PARADES: A letter was received from residents expressing safety concerns about
parked cars, pedestrians and large trucks on parade routes. Captain Tab Bartling reviewed the letter and expressed similar concerns.
Tab’s recommendations follow:
• Street Department place temporary no parking signs on the parade route
• Police Department enforce the no-parking
• Semi trucks/trailers not be permitted on parades
These restrictions would be for larger parades such as the National Balloon Classic and Log Cabin Days.
A policy will be drafted and brought to council in September for consideration.
FYI – The policy should have a notification method to property owners along the route prior to the parade. One question is whether the notification (mail or doorknocker) should be the parade sponsor or city responsibility.
15. PHASE I I&I REPAIRS: VISU-SEWER started cleaning, measuring and inspecting sewer mains on August 13th. They started on Kenwood and will work their way through the Phase I project. The actual liner installation is scheduled to begin on August 25th.
Vanderpool will start on the N 1st St. repair next week. The repair location is between Clinton and Detroit on N 1st. St. They will then re-focus their efforts on the Phase I point repair list.
V&K has been working on the initial stages of Phase III. They had survey crews at the South Plant the week of August 10th. Becky Ford began the arduous process of reviewing Phase II manhole and sewer main inspection reports. The IDNR Phase II report must be submitted by September 4th.
16. CITY HALL ELEVATOR: Upon inspection, it was found that there is a substantial amount of water in the elevator pit. It, therefore, failed inspection and had to be shut down until the problem is fixed. Sewer Department personnel were working on the problem on Friday afternoon to determine if a new sump pump is need and/or if the line is blocked.
Office Manager Skye Jacobs, Laurie Hebl, John Hoyman, Dan Miers and I met on the 11th to discuss the $2,000 loan program which is payable over 7 years at 5% interest. The loan is for homeowners having excessive costs to repair leaking services and that amount was set (by council) in 1996. Given the 13-year time lapse, the $2,000 is not covering the cost of some repairs we are seeing today. Our recommendation will be to raise the amount to $3,500.
In addition, Dan is contacting other cities to get comparisons on their (non-repair) fee. Given the cost of some of these repairs, our $50/mo fee can be less than the monthly loan amount. A recommendation may also be made to raise this fee creating incentive to remove/repair the I&I problem.
2. TAXES: City Clerk Diana Bowlin updated the tables (see packet) showing tax rates, taxable value/capita and taxes paid/capita for the 62 Iowa cities with a population of 6,500 and greater. Indianola ranks 12th, 28th and 12th respectively in those categories.
It is worth noting that while Indianola’s tax base/capita is 28th, our tax rate is 12th.
3. SUMMERCREST HILLS: A reminder the unveiling of the Summercrest Master plan will be held August 18 at 11:00 am on the development’s southwest corner. Please plan to attend.
4. LABOR DAY: Labor Day is Monday, September 7, so the council meeting will move to Tuesday the 8th. Please mark your calendars.
5. OLD SEWER PLANT: Kevin Halterman and I continue to discuss options regarding the former sewer plant land on N Country Club Rd. A recommendation will be brought to council in several weeks.
The land was originally bought from Dale Ewalt on September 22, 1950 for $3,000.
6. CENTRAL IOWA TRAILS: Glen Cowan has been working with the Central Iowa Trails group to draft signage and logos to be used on central Iowa trails. The idea is to have consistent signage/logos throughout the system.
An agreement has been drafted and will be considered by the Des Moines City Council in September and then taken to metro city councils for their review. The (no-charge) agreement will be on an October council agenda for formal consideration.
7. MUNICIPAL BUILDING PROGRESS: The two east columns have been replaced and work on the south entry columns will begin this week. Brick replacement and tuck pointing is still in process. Community Development should be completed within 2-3 weeks. The contractor plans on roof replacement shortly after September 1st.
8. PARK DEDICATION: The Park Dedication Committee met on the 11th after a somewhat lengthy process to get “zones” designated on the geographic information mapping system. The proposed ordinance was reviewed and is highlighted as follows:
• When new plats are submitted, developers will be required to dedicate .005 acres of land/single family dwelling to the city for trail development
• If the land is not part of our future trail system, the city can sell it and use the revenue for future trail expansion
• The developer has the option to voluntarily contribute financially in-lieu of a land dedication
The ordinance is similar to those in Johnston, Urbandale and West Des Moines and is based on the premise that new development creates a need for more park/trail space. Therefore new development helps provide the land necessary to expand.
A recommendation will be brought to council in a couple months.
9. ELECTRIC RATES: General Manager Todd Kielkopf reports that rates for street lighting ($95,000 average cost/yr) will remain the same with the new rate structure that will be recommended to the trustees effective November 1, 2009. Great news!!
10. LIBRARY: The Library Board hired Shive Hattery (same firm doing municipal building) to review the HVAC system for $8,000 plus expenses. The system is 25 years old and in need of replacement.
11. BLOOD SCREEN: The annual employee blood screen is scheduled for October 27.
12. MEETING: Just a reminder, Congressman Tom Latham, will hold a meeting on August 28 at the Warren County Administrative Building from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to discuss policies and issues.
13. HWY 92 MEETING: The committee will meet August 19 at 3:00 p.m. in the council chambers to discuss:
• What is new to the DOT's Five-Year Program
• Project overview
• Project funding.
14. PARADES: A letter was received from residents expressing safety concerns about
parked cars, pedestrians and large trucks on parade routes. Captain Tab Bartling reviewed the letter and expressed similar concerns.
Tab’s recommendations follow:
• Street Department place temporary no parking signs on the parade route
• Police Department enforce the no-parking
• Semi trucks/trailers not be permitted on parades
These restrictions would be for larger parades such as the National Balloon Classic and Log Cabin Days.
A policy will be drafted and brought to council in September for consideration.
FYI – The policy should have a notification method to property owners along the route prior to the parade. One question is whether the notification (mail or doorknocker) should be the parade sponsor or city responsibility.
15. PHASE I I&I REPAIRS: VISU-SEWER started cleaning, measuring and inspecting sewer mains on August 13th. They started on Kenwood and will work their way through the Phase I project. The actual liner installation is scheduled to begin on August 25th.
Vanderpool will start on the N 1st St. repair next week. The repair location is between Clinton and Detroit on N 1st. St. They will then re-focus their efforts on the Phase I point repair list.
V&K has been working on the initial stages of Phase III. They had survey crews at the South Plant the week of August 10th. Becky Ford began the arduous process of reviewing Phase II manhole and sewer main inspection reports. The IDNR Phase II report must be submitted by September 4th.
16. CITY HALL ELEVATOR: Upon inspection, it was found that there is a substantial amount of water in the elevator pit. It, therefore, failed inspection and had to be shut down until the problem is fixed. Sewer Department personnel were working on the problem on Friday afternoon to determine if a new sump pump is need and/or if the line is blocked.
Friday, August 7, 2009
News Items - August 10, 2009
1. HEALTH INSURANCE POOL: The July balance is about $765,000 and doing quite well.
2. TAX REVENUES: July’s revenue was about $40,300 or about 1% of the total for FY 09/10
3. FIRE EQUIPMENT TRUCK: Bids will be received at city hall thru August 20 for the 1986 Equipment Truck. The unit was replaced this year and Brian Seymour felt bids would surpass the trade-in.
4. BONDS: Below is a comparison of the estimated versus actual (re-estimated) debt service levy required for the recent $2,500,000 G.O. Bond issuance.
Please note that:
• the initial estimates were computed at an interest rate of 4.5%; however, the lower actual interest rate is partially offset by issuance fees and discount costs
• the levy is based on an average of the principal and interest due after other sources (i.e. TIF, Special Assessments, etc.) have been utilized
o over $60,000 per year will be paid by TIF revenue which would otherwise require a $0.14 levy
o the North and South “Y” Street Projects include partial funding from special assessments and the actual amount assessed may vary greatly from the current estimates
INITIAL
ESTIMATED RE-ESTIMATED DIFFERENCE
LEVY LEVY LEVY
Storm Sewer Repairs $0.07 $0.07 0
Pickard Parking Lot $0.10 $0.09 $0.01
Fire/EMS Equipment $0.01 $0.01 0
Memorial park Restrooms $0.03 $0.03 0
North “Y” Street Paving $0.11 $0.05 $0.06
South “Y” Street Paving $0.12 $0.08 $0.06
TOTALS $0.44 $0.33 $0.11
In addition, the $620,000 Public Safety/CH Renovation Capital Loan Notes will require $0.19 of the General Fund levy which is $0.02 below the initial estimate.
2. TAX REVENUES: July’s revenue was about $40,300 or about 1% of the total for FY 09/10
3. FIRE EQUIPMENT TRUCK: Bids will be received at city hall thru August 20 for the 1986 Equipment Truck. The unit was replaced this year and Brian Seymour felt bids would surpass the trade-in.
4. BONDS: Below is a comparison of the estimated versus actual (re-estimated) debt service levy required for the recent $2,500,000 G.O. Bond issuance.
Please note that:
• the initial estimates were computed at an interest rate of 4.5%; however, the lower actual interest rate is partially offset by issuance fees and discount costs
• the levy is based on an average of the principal and interest due after other sources (i.e. TIF, Special Assessments, etc.) have been utilized
o over $60,000 per year will be paid by TIF revenue which would otherwise require a $0.14 levy
o the North and South “Y” Street Projects include partial funding from special assessments and the actual amount assessed may vary greatly from the current estimates
INITIAL
ESTIMATED RE-ESTIMATED DIFFERENCE
LEVY LEVY LEVY
Storm Sewer Repairs $0.07 $0.07 0
Pickard Parking Lot $0.10 $0.09 $0.01
Fire/EMS Equipment $0.01 $0.01 0
Memorial park Restrooms $0.03 $0.03 0
North “Y” Street Paving $0.11 $0.05 $0.06
South “Y” Street Paving $0.12 $0.08 $0.06
TOTALS $0.44 $0.33 $0.11
In addition, the $620,000 Public Safety/CH Renovation Capital Loan Notes will require $0.19 of the General Fund levy which is $0.02 below the initial estimate.
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