Friday, November 18, 2011

News Items - November 21, 2011

1. WELLNESS CENTER: SVPA will provide a progress report on December 5.

The concepts look very good.

Terracon conducted 13 soil tests taken this week and the results should be available in early December. We are hopeful soils will not be an issue.

The 28-E agreement with the Y has also progressed and is intended to be on the December 5 agenda for council consideration.

2. STREET REPLACEMENT PROJECT: At the public information meeting on November 10, Community Development Director Chuck Burgin indicated that the formal process would proceed in December. In order to do so, council can hold a special meeting on November 28 (same night as committee meeting) to set December 19 as a public hearing on the assessment plat/schedule and resolution of necessity.

Ken will call the meeting.

3. NOVEMBER 28 COMMITTEE: Tentative agenda items for the November 28 meeting include:

General Fund Capital Plan
Downtown Incentive Program
Employee Wellness Program
J/K Realignment Engineering Proposal
Joint meeting with Trustees to discuss labor negotiations

4. BRUSH FACILITY: The facility will be open through December 4 for free leaf/brush disposal.

5. NARROW BANDING: Chief Brian Seymour reports that the FCC is mandating replacement of radios that can function on the new band by January ’13. All departments are budgeting accordingly and Brian estimates the cost in the $45,000 range (includes Electric/Water).

Norwalk decided to contract for their dispatch services thru Westcom as of January 2013. Norwalk has been with Warren County since the 70’s but feel the service provided by West Des Moines, Clive and Urbandale would better suit their needs. Chief Seymour reports the effect on the remainder of Warren County would not be significant.

The managers and chiefs from Carlisle, Indianola and Norwalk met on the 15th to discuss dispatch issues and plan to meet again in early December to continue dialogue on dispatch issues. The group is suggesting a meeting with elected officials from cities and the county in the near future.

6. SANITARY SEWER FARM CONTRACT: In 2002, the city purchased 352 acres of farm land (see map) on the Middle River for a future Sanitary Sewer Plant site. There are 247 tillable acres and every two years bids are received to farm the ground. The current contract expires March 2012 so on October 21 Supt Dan Miers sent six rfp’s and on November 15, two were received. They are:

Dennis Moser
Indianola, Iowa $50,200

Allen Henry
Indianola, Iowa $40,725

A recommendation will be placed on December 5 to accept the $50,200 proposal from Dennis Moser for March 1, 2012 through March 1, 2014.

FYI—The funds are placed in the Sewer Plant Budget and used to offset the $87,000 annual debt to retire the land’s purchase. The current contract is $34,264.

7. BUXTON PARK PLAN: The P&R Commission budgeted $8,000 to provide a plan for Buxton to accommodate future memorials, pedestrian access, garden locations, etc. On November 3, eight proposals were received and four companies were interviewed by Park Friend reps and staff. The group selected Civil Design Advantage (same firm that designed the amphitheater in Memorial Park) for a total fee of $9,300.

Glen indicates there are funds available from the DeNelsky Park budget that will not be spent this year. The Buxton Park Plan will be reviewed by the P&R Commission and presented to council in the spring.

8. RACE CARS: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin and I met with Phil Watson and our attorney Hugh Cain on Tuesday the 15th. Phil does not plan to take the case any further so the matter is complete.

9. SLUDGE: Supt Dan Miers is getting quotes to haul about 1.1 million gallons of sludge from the North Plant. A recommendation will be on the January 3 (Tuesday) agenda.

Friday, November 11, 2011

News Items - November 14, 2011

1. PUBLIC INPUT MEETING: The public input meeting for the 2012 Street Improvement Project was held on Wednesday, November 9th. The input was split into two meetings, one being commercial property owners at 5:00 pm and residential property owners at 6:30 pm. 26 people attended the commercial meeting and approximately 20 people attended the residential meeting. City staff and Snyder and Associates had representatives in attendance to answer questions and provide information regarding the proposed construction. We anticipate final construction documents to be ready for Council consideration in December.

2. UNION PROPOSAL: Their first negotiation session is scheduled for Thursday November 17 at 4:30.

Friday, November 4, 2011

News Items - November 7, 2011

1. SOUTH B SEWER: Forrest Aldrich is drafting a plan/spec to reroute the sanitary sewer in the 400 Block of South B (see map). He anticipates getting quotes either the week of the 7th or 14th. Based on the numbers, I will likely authorize the repair given its emergency nature. The quotes will then be placed on the November 21 agenda for formal consideration.

2. WELLNESS CENTER: The committee met with SVPA et al on the 2nd to review the latest concept. A progress report will be provided at the December 5 council meeting.

The next Vision Iowa meeting is November 9 at 10:00 am in room 116 at the State Capitol Building.

On October 27 the city took ownership of the 6.63 acres in Summercrest Hills for the Wellness Center.

3. C STREET FORUM: A reminder the forum will be November 10 at 7:00 pm in the Parrish Hall of the Methodist Church on W. Ashland.

4. OFFICER METCALF: In the packet is a letter of commendation from Chief Steve Bonnett and Sergeant Brian Sher for Officer Brad Metcalf’s investigations that led to charges relating to vandalism, motor vehicle theft and burglary. Hats off to Brad!!

5. RECYCLING: Waste Management brought a 96 and 48 gallon toter to city hall for customers to view. They will be in the council chambers on November 7.

6. COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEMS: “Tentative” agenda items for the next two months include:

• Fire Dept Bay expansion
• General Fund Capital Budget
• Y/City 28-E Agreement
• Downtown/Square Incentive Program
• J/K Engineering Proposal
• Trailer Parking on City Streets
• Employee Wellness Program
• Natural Gas Franchise Fee



7. SUMMERCREST HILLS: Finance Director Jean Furler reports the Development Agreement conditions have been met and the first check for $325,000 has been paid to Downing Construction and Summercrest Hills Development.

8. INDIANOLA HEALTH PLAN: Our new third party administrator, UMR, has been providing very good discounts on our medical claims. Through September 30th, we’re averaging a 52% savings on all providers including inpatient stays, outpatient procedures and clinic visits. Good news!

9. EMPLOYEE BLOOD SCREEN: 59 employees/spouses participated in the annual blood screen. Many of the participants will take their results to their physicians saving the health plan additional lab expenses. It’s estimated the blood screen would cost up to $350.00 at the clinic versus the $27.00 charged per participant during the annual screen.

10. CHICKEN COMPLAINT: The Community Development Department received a complaint regarding five chickens at 410 W. Ashland. After staff asked to have the chickens removed, the owners asked (see letter) for council consideration to allow the chickens to remain at their residence. The request will be placed on the November 21 council agenda.

11. 2012 STREET REPLACEMENT: Just a reminder of the public information meetings scheduled for November 9th at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm at the Activity Center. Approximately 180 notices of the meetings have been sent. These meetings are held to provide a project preview and answer property owner questions.

Staff is working with the engineer to phase the project to minimize impact on community events that normally take place. A project phasing will be placed in council packets within the next week or so.