1. EMERSON SCHOOL: After receiving parent comments about student safety during parking/pick-up, Emerson School Principal Mark Timmerman is working with the PD to eliminate double parking. The enforcement will begin on April 4 with the goal of improving safety and improving traffic efficiency. Emerson parents have been notified of the change.
2. SUSTAINABILITY MONTH: Below are the event dates for Sustainability Month in April.
April 2 Brush Facility, Hazardous Waste Collection Site open
April 4-April 29 Indianola Chamber Bike/Walk to Work Challenge
April 6 Simpson College Campus Day
April 13 Iowa DNR Mobile Education Exhibit at Hy Vee
April 16 Free drop-off of e-cycling products and appliances at
the Brush Facility
April 18-22 Annual curbside cleanup program
April 19 Peoples Bank Free Shred Day at Peoples Bank parking lot
April 22 Indianola Sustainability Fair – IMU line shop-110 S. “B”
April 30 P&R Spring Fun Fest – Warren Co. Fairgrounds
3. SOUTH SEWER PLANT PROJECT: In the packet is a Notice of Violation from IDNR to Neuvirth Construction for improper erosion control. The contractor's subcontractor, Soil-Tek, addressed the issues on Wednesday the 30th.
Neuvirth, (general contractor) is solely responsible for obtaining the storm water permit and creating, implementing and monitoring the erosion control plan. They are also solely responsible for any fines that occur if the plan is not implemented or monitored.
The erosion occurred away and out of site from the current construction activities. I have asked our staff and V&K to more closely monitor the erosion control measures on all construction projects in the City and to report any repair items to the contractor.
4. HAZARDOUS MITIGATION: In the packet is a summary of the city’s Hazardous Mitigation Plan addressing Indianola’s capabilities and projects that can be implemented to improve capabilities. Fire Chief Brian Seymour will present the plan at the April 11 committee meeting.
5. SPECIAL ELECTION: The cost of the election was $5,400.
6. BUILDING PERMIT FEES: Since 1991 the city has had a policy of reducing building permit fees for county and school projects. The amounts have been based on tax base, tax rates etc. Community Development Director Chuck Burgin is revising the policy to be based more on their cost of providing service (overhead, for example) that taxes. However, the percentages will be basically the same. The revised policy will be on the April 18 agenda.
7. LAZERFEST: Lazerfest is Sunday May 15 at the Balloon Field which coincides with a 30-team softball tournament at Pickard. Both the PD and P&R are aware of the events but Police Chief Bonnett indicated the Lazerfest crowd is more scattered since it begins in the late morning and continues through the evening.
The event is scheduled to end by 10:30 pm per Supervisor Doug Shull (balloon field is not in the city limits).
8. HEALTH PLAN: The pool reserve remains at $1.1 million and very “healthy”.
9. TREES PLEASE: On March 23 MidAmerican Energy’s Darla Vanderpool gave Mayor Bresnan a $1,000 check from their Trees Please program. The Tree Committee and P&R will use the funds to replace trees at Pickard Park along Highway 92, new trees at the amphitheater and some along the Highway 65/69. Our thanks to MAE!
10. GAS LEAK: There was a gas leak in the 700 block of Hwy 92 West today. Hwy 92 was blocked blocked off around this area and crews/departments were on site.
