NEWS ITEMS
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Tim
DATE: July 28, 2011
1. WELLNESS CENTER: Seven project manager proposals were received on July 27 and a sub-committee will review and narrow the list to present to the full committee on August 18. Interviews will take place in late August and a recommendation presented to council in September.
Also, we have been invited formally by Vision Iowa staff to make a presentation to the Board on August 10 regarding our $2.5 million grant application.
2. GIRARD STORM SEWER: The Storm Water Improvement Project begins at the detention ponds and works south (see map). However, I received a call from an adjacent property owner asking if we could extend the project north (to Iowa Avenue) by removing the brush and installing a small drainage tile. This concept was discussed several years ago but not all neighbors approved so it was dropped.
I have asked Forrest Aldrich to get a quote (change order) from Underground to provide the additional work and will bring a recommendation to council.
3. W HWY 92 SEWER: A meeting was held on July 27 to discuss property owner payment options for the new sewer extending from Y Street east 1,425 feet (see map). Two property owners attended (9 are affected).
The project has been planned as a “connect fee” (pay only when connecting to the sewer) but a special assessment option will be offered as well for those who prefer to pay (begin immediately) over 15 years.
Project acceptance will be placed on the August 15 agenda with an assessment schedule for council consideration. The connect fee ordinance will be on the agenda as well.
4. J/K RE ALIGNMENT: The $181,000 appraisal for property affected by the proposed re-alignment has to be “re-evaluated” according to IDOT policy. Community Development Director Chuck Burgin is getting quotes. When using IDOT funds there are additional steps/procedures the city must pursue.
The function and purpose of the review is to:
1. Protect the interests of the public
2. Protect the interests of the property owner
3. Provide an approved estimate of just compensation
4. Provide consistency of values
5. Maintain a high quality appraisal product
5. SOUTH Y: The Alliance Paving Company could begin paving on August 4 or 5 weather permitting. August 8 is their second option. Chuck Burgin met with the west side (see letter) residents and indicated east-side access options during paving. Access will be limited for 48-72 hours.
6. POOL: Rec Supt Doug Byland reports the heat is an advantage for pool attendance as well as not needing to heat the water for the last 3 weeks.
Through July 26, pool revenues averaged $770 for daily admissions compared to $528 in May and June. More admission revenue was collected thru July 27 than was collected the entire 41 days of May and June. However, since year-round school started at Irving, admissions dropped over the past week:
July 21-26: $723 average
July 15-20: $964 average
Those numbers show exactly a drop of 25% which coincides with 1/4 of the elementary kids now in school during the day.
7. C SPAN CAMPAIGN BUS: On August 10 from 11:30 am to 1:40 pm C-SPAN will park their 45’ bus on the south side of Salem just east of Crouses to allow political input. The bus interior is equipped with state-of-the art digital media technology and visitors will be encouraged to use the devices. Mediacom is the host for C-SPAN’s visit.
Steve Bonnett, Brian Seymour and Ed Yando have all been apprised and are ok with the concept.
8. P&R PRESENTATION: The P&R presentation will be delayed until September according to Director Glen Cowan.
9. SIDEWALK REPAIRS: The Community Development Dept sent RFP’s to 4 contractors to repair sidewalks that property owners have yet to repair themselves. The process of inspecting and repairing sidewalks is undertaken about every 2-3 years to maintain safety and minimize liability.
Property owners are given 30 days notice (letters were sent on June 27 with repairs to be made by July 27) and then the city hires a contractor (low bid) to make repairs. Costs are then placed as liens on the property.
A contractor recommendation will be brought to council in September.
10. HORTICULTURIST: As of Friday morning, 16 applications have been received. Mike Bowlin, Glen Cowan, and RoxAnne Hunerdosse will screen and interview candidates in the next couple weeks. They are anticipating a late August, early September start date so a recommendation will be brought accordingly.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
News Items - July 25, 2011
1. NEXT MEETING: The next council meeting is August 1 at 6:00 pm.
2. BUDGET: In the packet is a budget summary for FY 10/11 that ended June 30. All departments were under budget and the Directors are to be commended for a job well done!!
3. ELECTRICITY USE: A new July peak of 32.6MW was set on Monday (old one of 31.4MW). The extended nature of the heat wave (both number of days and hours per day) spreads out the cost (higher demand charge) over additional kWh sales for the month.
4. WELLNESS CENTER: Project manager rfp’s will be received thru Wednesday the 27th. The committee will narrow them to 3-5 and interview in early to mid-august.
A recommendation will then be provided to council in September.
5. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS: This is the third and final year of the contract with our union so negotiations will begin this fall. The council and trustees can meet September 12 (closed session) to discuss the current contract and upcoming negotiations.
6. BIKE NITE: Resident Tim Paterson asked to be on the August 1 agenda (see request) to discuss the event and related noise.
7. TAX REVENUES: June receipts show collections at just over 100% for FY ended June 30, 2011. Good news!
8. W HWY 92 SEWER: An informational meeting with property owners on Hwy 92 West will be held July 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the council chambers to discuss connect fee/voluntary assessment payment options.
9. SIDEWALK PROJECT: The Community Development Department will be re-evaluating all properties that received a sidewalk repair letter in the next week and soliciting bids from local contractors for repairs. 200 sidewalk letters were mailed and 45 have been confirmed repaired.
After inspection, the department assumes many more will have been repaired, reducing the number of repairs the contractor will have to fix.
10. WEED COMPLAINTS: The Community Development Department has received 51 tall weed complaints this year.
2. BUDGET: In the packet is a budget summary for FY 10/11 that ended June 30. All departments were under budget and the Directors are to be commended for a job well done!!
3. ELECTRICITY USE: A new July peak of 32.6MW was set on Monday (old one of 31.4MW). The extended nature of the heat wave (both number of days and hours per day) spreads out the cost (higher demand charge) over additional kWh sales for the month.
4. WELLNESS CENTER: Project manager rfp’s will be received thru Wednesday the 27th. The committee will narrow them to 3-5 and interview in early to mid-august.
A recommendation will then be provided to council in September.
5. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS: This is the third and final year of the contract with our union so negotiations will begin this fall. The council and trustees can meet September 12 (closed session) to discuss the current contract and upcoming negotiations.
6. BIKE NITE: Resident Tim Paterson asked to be on the August 1 agenda (see request) to discuss the event and related noise.
7. TAX REVENUES: June receipts show collections at just over 100% for FY ended June 30, 2011. Good news!
8. W HWY 92 SEWER: An informational meeting with property owners on Hwy 92 West will be held July 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the council chambers to discuss connect fee/voluntary assessment payment options.
9. SIDEWALK PROJECT: The Community Development Department will be re-evaluating all properties that received a sidewalk repair letter in the next week and soliciting bids from local contractors for repairs. 200 sidewalk letters were mailed and 45 have been confirmed repaired.
After inspection, the department assumes many more will have been repaired, reducing the number of repairs the contractor will have to fix.
10. WEED COMPLAINTS: The Community Development Department has received 51 tall weed complaints this year.
Friday, July 15, 2011
News Items - July 18, 2011
1. MEMORIAL POOL: Unfortunately, the weather once again has not cooperated with our pool season so far. We closed early many days due to storms and cold in late May and early June.
Overall the fiscal year revenues were down $9,476 from budgeted and the expenses were down $3,080.
Season Pass Sales for the last 3 years through July 12 are shown below:
2011 - 700 passes, $67,172 (236 individual & 464 family)
2010 - 656 passes, $64,349 (214 individual & 442 family)
2009 - 725 passes, $71,290 (239 individual & 486 family)
May/June revenues from 2009, 2010 and 2011 are shown below:
2011 - $90,498
2010 - $100,485
2009 - $104,218
2. PARTY IN THE PARK: The Indianola Park Friends will host their first annual Party in the Park Saturday, August 6 at Buxton Park. They will unveil the Lyman Whitaker Wind Sculptures in addition to music, refreshments and lots of fun. The unveiling is at 2:00 pm.
3. CAPITAL PROJECT REPORTS: Per a suggestion made by Shirley Clark and Utility Billing/Payroll Clerk Lindsey Offenburger, Information Technology Kurt Ripperger placed a link on the city’s web site (www.cityofindianola.gov) where citizens can get updates about capital projects. Kurt added a "View Project Reports" page under the "I Want to" tab on the website. It will provide easy access for citizens. Thanks Shirley, Lindsey and thanks Kurt!!
4. D&D PROPERTY: An offer was submitted for 302 W 2nd Ave. City staff is working with the potential buyer and a recommendation will be brought to council on August 1. The city spent about $38,000 for the lot and building removal.
Overall the fiscal year revenues were down $9,476 from budgeted and the expenses were down $3,080.
Season Pass Sales for the last 3 years through July 12 are shown below:
2011 - 700 passes, $67,172 (236 individual & 464 family)
2010 - 656 passes, $64,349 (214 individual & 442 family)
2009 - 725 passes, $71,290 (239 individual & 486 family)
May/June revenues from 2009, 2010 and 2011 are shown below:
2011 - $90,498
2010 - $100,485
2009 - $104,218
2. PARTY IN THE PARK: The Indianola Park Friends will host their first annual Party in the Park Saturday, August 6 at Buxton Park. They will unveil the Lyman Whitaker Wind Sculptures in addition to music, refreshments and lots of fun. The unveiling is at 2:00 pm.
3. CAPITAL PROJECT REPORTS: Per a suggestion made by Shirley Clark and Utility Billing/Payroll Clerk Lindsey Offenburger, Information Technology Kurt Ripperger placed a link on the city’s web site (www.cityofindianola.gov) where citizens can get updates about capital projects. Kurt added a "View Project Reports" page under the "I Want to" tab on the website. It will provide easy access for citizens. Thanks Shirley, Lindsey and thanks Kurt!!
4. D&D PROPERTY: An offer was submitted for 302 W 2nd Ave. City staff is working with the potential buyer and a recommendation will be brought to council on August 1. The city spent about $38,000 for the lot and building removal.
Friday, July 8, 2011
News Items - July 11, 2011
1. PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT: At the July 5 meeting, council approved National League of Cities membership and one of the membership benefits is a prescription drug discount for residents that do not have insurance, or, for drugs that are not covered by insurance. The city’s membership is effective August 1 and the prescription drug program will take 6-8 weeks to set up.
There will be no residency requirement and therefore no need for identity verification. The NLC prescription drug cards can be picked up at city hall and taken to local pharmacies where they will provide a 20% to 25% discount.
2. WEST HWY 92 SEWER: The Sanitary Sewer Project will be offered to property owners as a “connect fee” where no payment is required until there is an actual connection to the sewer (2 years, 5 years, 10 years?). A 5% interest rate will be recommended that will compound until the connection is made and the fee is paid.
However, an assessment option will be offered that requires 10 (can be up to 15) annual payments at 4% interest. This option is provided to encourage property owners to begin payment so the city does not carry the debt load indefinitely.
Connect fees/assessments will be about $11,500/acre compared to the original engineer’s estimate of $16,000/acre.
3. SANITARY SEWER JET/VAC TRUCK: Supt Dan Miers received two quotes to replace the 1995 Jet/Vac Truck used to clean/televise sanitary sewer mains. The low quote with trade is $306,245 ($300,000 is budgeted) from Trans Iowa Equipment. Dan will present a recommendation at the July 18 meeting.
4. INDIANOLA READYMIX: Snyder and Associates recommends the Readymix property be zoned low density (single family) residential as part of the Comprehensive Plan. It is currently industrial. The area residents will resume their rezoning request after the Comp Plan is approved by council in August.
5. TROPICAL SNOW: The time period for no future sales and removing the building has passed. At this time sales have ceased. John Hoyman has been asked to review what options are available to have the building removed.
6. WELLNESS CENTER: Project manager RFP’s were sent to nine firms and will be received until July 27. The committee and SVPA will interview candidates in August and a recommendation presented to council in September.
There will be no residency requirement and therefore no need for identity verification. The NLC prescription drug cards can be picked up at city hall and taken to local pharmacies where they will provide a 20% to 25% discount.
2. WEST HWY 92 SEWER: The Sanitary Sewer Project will be offered to property owners as a “connect fee” where no payment is required until there is an actual connection to the sewer (2 years, 5 years, 10 years?). A 5% interest rate will be recommended that will compound until the connection is made and the fee is paid.
However, an assessment option will be offered that requires 10 (can be up to 15) annual payments at 4% interest. This option is provided to encourage property owners to begin payment so the city does not carry the debt load indefinitely.
Connect fees/assessments will be about $11,500/acre compared to the original engineer’s estimate of $16,000/acre.
3. SANITARY SEWER JET/VAC TRUCK: Supt Dan Miers received two quotes to replace the 1995 Jet/Vac Truck used to clean/televise sanitary sewer mains. The low quote with trade is $306,245 ($300,000 is budgeted) from Trans Iowa Equipment. Dan will present a recommendation at the July 18 meeting.
4. INDIANOLA READYMIX: Snyder and Associates recommends the Readymix property be zoned low density (single family) residential as part of the Comprehensive Plan. It is currently industrial. The area residents will resume their rezoning request after the Comp Plan is approved by council in August.
5. TROPICAL SNOW: The time period for no future sales and removing the building has passed. At this time sales have ceased. John Hoyman has been asked to review what options are available to have the building removed.
6. WELLNESS CENTER: Project manager RFP’s were sent to nine firms and will be received until July 27. The committee and SVPA will interview candidates in August and a recommendation presented to council in September.
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