News Items July 23, 2012

1.     STREET PROJECT:
 

·       South Howard Street is closed and half of paving is complete.

·       Sewer repair work is complete on East Boston east of Hwy 92 and work is continuing west of the highway.

·       All of North “E” Street will be open today (July 20).

2.     ILOC: The Iowa League of Cities released a brochure pertaining to “New Laws of Interest to Cities”. You may have received this but just in case attached is a copy for review.

3.     ILOC CONFERENCE: Just a reminder the Iowa league of Cities Conference will be held September 26-28 in Sioux City (conference info was sent in an earlier packet). If interested please let Diane or myself know.

4.     TAXES: The attached spreadsheet shows July tax receipts and is consistent with collections this time of year.

5.     HWY 65/69 STUDY: Attached is a copy of the minutes from the July 9 meeting with IDOT reps. Additional information will be forthcoming as the IDOT requests city input.

6.     TAX SURVEY: Attached are spreadsheets showing Indianola ranked 10^th low in terms of total tax rate for cities with populations 6,500 or greater. In addition, the numbers show Indianola 6^th low in taxes paid per capita yet 28^th in taxable value.

7.     CITY MANAGER RESUMES: As of Friday 10:45 am 62 resumes have been received.

8.  WELLNESS CENTER: Approximately 90% of the footings have been completed and a portion of the  competitive pool has been poured.

News Items July 16, 2012

1.     STREET PROJECT:
 

·       North “E” is paved and open with a few remaining cleanup items, retaining wall and landscaping.

·       South Howard Street is closed and sub grade prep work is being performed.

·       Sewer repair work is being completed on East Boston east of Hwy 92.

2.     POLICE CHIEF COMMITTEE: Pete and Pam both indicated an interest to participate in the hiring process for the new chief. Brian Seymour, Steve Bonnett and I will represent staff. Reviewing a few other possible options as well.

3.     APPRAISAL: A copy of the North “C” Street appraisal was sent to you Thursday via e-mail. Please let me know if you did not receive it.

4.     YMCA PROJECT UPDATE: Chuck Burgin met with architects and engineers and recommends a change order in the amount of $8,993 to stain the precast concrete on the building. The staining process replaces colored panels from the factory, this process ensures a pure uniform finish and is easier maintenance for damaged areas.

Alternate #7 ($93,000) for cable, phone and internet is being re-bid. All felt there could be some potential cost savings in doing this as separate project. The split for actual work is 68% YMCA and 32% city therefore the Y will coordinate with Ball Team through this process. Will keep you updated.

5.     HWY 65/69: The July 9 meeting with IDOT officials regarding Hwy 65/69 improvements was positive. The feasibility study estimated completion date is January 2013. Discussion indicated they will ask for the city’s input and recommendations throughout the process.

6.     PARKS & REC: P&R Director Glen Cowan provided updates on several projects:

·       Pickard Restroom Design: Engineer/Designers are still working on layouts and costs for renovated or new restrooms at the ISA complex. I plan to take a recommendation to the P&R Commission Aug 15 and then bring a recommendation to the council soon after.

·       Wayfinding Signage: The signs are being fabricated which will take 4-6 weeks. The signs along the highways will be delivered to the IDOT for installation and the other signs will be delivered to the City for installation. Not sure how fast the IDOT will get them put up. My hope is that they are all up by the end of Sept.

·       ISA Agreement: I have not heard back formally from them with a response to my change recommendations. It will be on the Aug 15 P&R Commission meeting agenda. Staff will be discussing and putting together financial information to have P&R run the complex versus ISA. This possibility will also be discussed with the P&R Commission.

·       McCord Play Structure: The entire play equipment is installed and open for public use. Word is out and there is a lot of use each day. The P&R Commission will be having a dedication ceremony on Wed. July 25. We will be sending invitations to 200+ neighbors, council, mayor, media, etc.

·       Sesquicentennial Park Sculpture:The Park Friends, Fine Arts & P&R Commission have ordered the sculpture so it is being fabricated and will be installed this fall. A tentative dedication ceremony has been set for the last weekend in Sept. The sculpture committee is in the process of raising $3,000 to light the sculpture.

·       JK Trail Phase 2: We have received approval to proceed from the IDOT and have met with V&K engineers to review the trail location. As a result, we are in the process of trying to get an extension to complete the trail as we want to move the location along Iowa to the south side of the street. We learned that IMU will be removing all the electric poles as a part of their underground conversion program which will allow the trail to be on the south side. We were unaware of this when we applied for the trail grant.

The hope is to complete the full project following the Indianola Municipal Utility burying the overhead lines on the south side of Iowa St. This newly found detail gives us the chance to keep the trail on the south side of Iowa all the way from Simpson College to Kenwood Blvd. This will make for a safer route by eliminating a street-crossing of the trail in a valley, additional costs of retaining walls on residential land, avoid numerous driveways to residential properties and will make for a more appealing trail by staying closer to open vegetated ground.

The burying of these lines by IMU is slated for 2014 and may move up in time. The JKT Phase 2 project would start in 2013 constructing the majority of the trail and finishing the portion near the IMU power line burying project in 2014.

News Items July 9, 2012

1.     STREET PROJECT:
 

·       North “E” is paved and open with a few remaining cleanup items and landscaping.

·       South Howard Street is closed and sub grade prep work is being performed.

·       Sewer repair work is being performed on East Boston east of Hwy 92.

2.     SURVEY: Enclosed is information from 10 cities with either similar populations or structure (county seat). Information regarding economic development groups and chamber contributions was provided. However, only one city indicated they have formal agreements with these groups. Generally, quarterly or annual reports (similar to what we receive) are provided. A few cities have an economic development staff person others provide representatives, elected and non-elected to serve on these boards.

3.     COUNTY MAINTENANCE BUILDING: Very preliminary discussions with Doug Shull indicate the county may be relocating its road maintenance facility (currently located on North 6^th Street) in the future. They are looking at options and at this time land has not been purchased. Doug indicated the county may approach the city to determine interest based on proximity to the city street and parks departments.

4.     APPRAISAL: Rally Appraisal out of Des Moines indicated they could provide an appraisal for North “C” Street at a rate of $2,500.

5.     HWY 65/69 STUDY: Attached is an agenda for Monday’s IDOT meeting in Ames. Mayor Bresnan, John Parker and I will attend on behalf of the city.