City Manager's Blog March 18, 2013

Beautification Blowout

This April, the Indianola Sustainability Committee will be focusing its efforts on beautifying the City’s many trails, parks and Downtown Square. The committee has partnered with Indianola Parks and Recreation, Friends of Indianola Trails and the Keep Indianola Beautiful Committee to rally citizens to team up and participate in sprucing up the downtown square as well as miles of walking/bike trails that so many enjoy each summer. The event is taking place on Saturday, April 20th from Noon-2:30 p.m. and is open to any business/organization, civic group or family. This will be an excellent opportunity for an enriching team-building experience while helping to beautify our community. We encourage specific groups to proudly identify themselves by wearing team shirts, caps or jackets but don’t worry if you aren’t affiliated with any one group, we will have a team for anyone who wants to get involved! The event will begin with a rally on the east side of the downtown square where a free lunch will be served to all registered participants from Noon-12:30 p.m. From there, your group will be assigned an area that will be your BEAUTIFICATION BLOWOUT responsibility. Tasks will include removing litter, debris and dead limbs from the trails and parks and removing litter and sweeping debris from walkways around the square. Gloves and trash bags will be provided, but we strongly recommend that you bring any other tools that might make the tasks easier such as rakes, wheel barrows, wagons, push brooms, etc.

Police Candidate Testing

The Indianola Police Department (IPD) will be conducting testing to identify and rank police officer candidates to fill the new positions approved in the FY 14 budget this Saturday at 9:00 a.m.  The process includes both a physical agility and written POST test that will be scored by the Civil Service Commission. Interim Chief Hamell would welcome any Councilmember who would like to observe the testing to feel free to attend any part of the process your schedule allows.  You may contact him with any questions. The testing will begin at the Middle School cafeteria before moving to the Blake Field House for the physical agility portion. There are 90 applicants that have submitted applications to complete the exam. Based on prior searches for officer candidates, we anticipate 55-70 will complete the exam process.

Representative Ourth Visits City Hall

Representative Scott Ourth visited City Hall recently to discuss ongoing issues at the state capitol and the effects on communities throughout the state.  Key state issues that will impact Indianola depending on the final versions of the bills, if approved, range from proposed changes in the commercial property tax on the finance side to new waste water regulations on the environmental side.  Having an engaged member in the state capitol that communicates and understands issues facing communities as well as the impacts proposed legislation may have going forward is essential.  Representative Ourth is in Indianola on a regular basis and I encourage you to connect with him when you have the opportunity.

Employee Appreciation

As City Manager, I get a chance to witness firsthand all the time, effort, and investment it takes to keep things functioning during the winter months by our team of dedicated staff.  Their hard work is essential in ensuring our safety and mobility during the winter season.  From snow removal crews from multiple departments to water, sewer, and electrical plant operators to public safety staff; we are all fortunate to have the hard working men and women working for our city to ensure our lives continue moving forward without delay.  This is especially difficult during the unexpected storms that strike without notice like the storm that dumped 11 inches of snow the last week of February.  I want to take a moment to personally thank all the employees who make our community run and keep us safe no matter when or how long Mother Nature rolls into Indianola.    

City Manager's Blog February 25, 2013

Fire Housing Ceremony

Mayor Bresnan, Council Members Marchant and Mathieu, Chief Seymour, past and present fire department members, and community members officially dedicated the fire departments new aerial ladder truck this past Saturday.  The “Housing Ceremony” began with remarks from the Mayor, Past Chief Hunt, and Chief Seymour.  After officially dedicating the truck, a reception and open house to view the truck was held in the station.  This new piece of equipment is the largest truck ever purchased by the City of Indianola and will serve the community for at least the next 20 years.  Congratulations to the fine men and women of the Indianola Fire Department on the dedication and addition to our fire apparatus fleet. 

2012 Street Program Update

Community Development staff met with Britt Sternquist and Jenifer Croat of Snyder & Associates regarding the completion of the 2012 paving project. Sternquist has agreed to complete the construction at the intersection of West Boston and North Howard the second week of July and estimates the completion of the project to be 30 days. Chuck has requested Snyder to modify the contract to reflect a new completion date and will bring the amended contract to Council for consideration.  This revised schedule is at the request of a business owner who doesn’t want to have sales adversely affected during the busy spring season.  The timing and location shouldn’t create a significant disruption for downtown events as the remaining work is a few blocks off the Square.

Summer Preparations Begin

The Parks and Recreation Department has been busy on a number of projects preparing for the upcoming summer season.  Repair work is underway at the McCord Park restrooms to address cracked flooring as well as installing new sinks, toilets and hand dryers.  The Pickard Park Dug Out Roof bids are being evaluated as well as ongoing equipment maintenance on mowers, concessions, and vehicles required to maintain the park and keep activities moving forward.  Bid information is nearing completion for a new pool heater at the Memorial Park pool with the hope of installing prior to opening this summer.  Finally, staff is busy in the greenhouse planting and watering to ensure we have the plants needed later this spring when weather conditions improve.   

Retail Development

Indianola will be welcoming two new businesses to our community soon.  Napoli’s Authentic Italian based in St. Joseph, MO will be opening a second location in Indianola.  A sign indicating the new business is up at its new location in the Suites on Salem building located at 117 E. Salem.  At this time, the business will be occupying 3/4^th of the available space on the main level.  In addition to the dinning and carry-out operations, the business will also house a wine bar.  The anticipated opening is planned within the next few months.  The second business scheduled to open is Monterrey Mexican Restaurant in the former Indianola Family Restaurant building at 1303 N. Jefferson.  Indianola will be the 6^th location in Iowa for Monterrey with most locations in the Des Moines metro region. We look forward to welcoming these new businesses to our community!

City Manager's Blog February 8, 2013

65/69 Planning Continues

Mayor Bresnan, Councilman Parker, and I met with representatives from the County, IaDOT, and engineers from Snyder and Associates Wednesday in Ames to further discuss the redesign along highway 65/69 from Hillcrest north to the city limits.  With the new development along this corridor in recent years adding additional traffic, reconstruction and grading will be needed to address the topography issues and access so that future expansion can continue.  A draft access agreement was discussed with all parties involved along with an outline of the needed improvements within this corridor.  Staff will be working with council and Snyder and Associates to finalize the access agreement with IaDOT.  In addition, staff will continue looking at financing options to move the reconstruction projects forward as part of some preliminary engineering work currently underway.

Library Event Successful

The Library hosted “Take your Child to the Library” February 2^nd with great success.  Over 200 residents took part in activities throughout the day.  Library staff has posted pictures on the City Website.  In addition to this great event, the Library will once again be hosting a birthday party for Dr. Seuss on February 23^rd.  The event will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Library with breakfast served from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.  Reservations are required prior to the event.  Please contact the Library with any questions.

Des Moines Metro Opera

The Des Metro Opera will be kicking off its 41^st season in Indianola at the Blank Performing Arts Center on June 21^st.  Plans are underway for an Indianola Day at the Opera June 23^rd with more information to follow.  This year we will have the great pleasure of three great performances: Romeo and Juliet, Peter Grimes, and Elektra.  Further information is available via the Des Moines Metro Opera website.  I would encourage everyone to take part in enjoying these great performances.  We are very fortunate to have the Metro Opera in our community in such a great venue.  Annually, the Metro Opera welcomes over 200 professional performers to our community as well as attracts visits from multiple states.  

Retail Study

I appreciate council’s support of the retail study proposal from the Buxton Company and its potential benefits to Indianola.  The overall feedback from those who were able to meet was very positive.  Having worked with this company in the past, I know firsthand the value this information can provide in the ongoing development of our retail/commercial sector.  Furthermore, continued growth in our retail sector will not only bring new business to our community, but also impact the overall growth in our valuation providing additional needed dollars for investment in our infrastructure and broader community.  Following feedback Monday night at the Council Meeting, I will be bringing the full proposal for your consideration at our February 19^th meeting.

City Manager's Blog January 14, 2013

Budget Draft Complete

With the revised budget process in place, the staff has done a tremendous job in preparing the draft budget for council review and discussion on the 14^th.  Jean, Diane, and Skye have done an exceptional job in putting together all the pieces for the budget draft.  As you know, this process is designed to give council additional time to review and provide direction on the allocation of available funds in the coming year.  I hope you find this process more engaging and valuable in understanding the overall financial direction of the city. Following the discussion at the study session Monday night, Council will have nearly two months to review, discuss, revise, and/or change allocations prior to final approval due in March.  I look forward to working with the Council and staff in finalizing the City of Indianola budget and thank all the staff who has worked in the development of the FY 14 budget document.

Phase 4 I & I to Begin

The 4^th and final stage of the public improvements to the sewer system is set to begin this month.  Last month the council approved the contract to proceed with the work to line, repair, and update the system per recommendations from our engineers. Currently the Community Development department is working to acquire the remaining construction easements.  Thirty-three easements have been obtained to date allowing the work to proceed as planned.  Staff will also work with private homeowners to address any inflow issues that may be present within the system.  This has been a very challenging and expensive mandated project for not only the city, but also many homeowners.  Discussion on the best way to assist our residents in dealing with this initiative and the associated expense will continue at the budget workshop on the 14^th.

Road Maintenance

With the snow quickly disappearing with the nice temperatures of late, we once again begin the annual battle of dealing with potholes and cracking in our streets associated with the freezing and thawing that occurs this time of year.  I have no doubt the winter is far from over, but Street Department staff will be working the next couple of weeks addressing any issues that arise due to the ever changing weather and ongoing ice and water associated with the melting snow.  If you receive any complaints or spot an issue, do not hesitate to let me or the street department staff know so we can make the necessary repairs to get through the remainder of the winter season.

School Security/Safety

Interim Chief Hamell and the Indianola Police Department are working on the ongoing effort and concern nationwide of keeping our schools safe.  We continue to be reminded that we unfortunately live in a society were extra precautions must be undertaken to keep our children safe.   Representatives from the IPD and school officials will be meeting January 17^th to continue the dialogue on the best strategy to keep our schools as safe as possible. Ongoing efforts to evaluate and assess the security needs at our various school buildings by both the Indianola School System as well as the IPD will allow us to identify the best security strategy going forward.

City Manager's Blog December 21, 2012

Blizzard 2013 Update

We survived the first major winter storm in the past two years without any major issues of note.  The Street Department did an outstanding job, given the conditions, removing snow and keeping our streets open.  Ed and his entire staff are now working on the enormous amount of cleanup that must take place after the initial plowing has concluded.  Staff is currently clearing snow from parking lots, the square, and side streets. Crews are working diligently to keep any inconveniences to a minimum for citizens and businesses. Next week, after the holiday, we will haul the snow off some of the wider streets like Clinton, Boston, Howard etc. were the sidewalks are close to the street and the snow is either on the sidewalk or in the parking area. In addition, the Police Department did a great job in providing advanced notice of the snow ordinance and getting cars off the streets so plows could remove snow efficiently and safely.  Because we are fortunate enough to have experienced officers that have been through enough winter storms, we noticed minimal disruptions during the storm.  In total, only 17 vehicles were cited and only 4 vehicles had to be towed. The combination of the early warning and proactive efforts of the IPD with regards to the snow ordinance, we were able to keep everyone safe and allow crews to remove the snow from our streets without major incident.

Fire/EMS Calls Hit New Record in 2013

2012 will bring a new record for calls for service at the IFD.  The previous record was 1732 and as of today (December 21^st) we are at 1831. Most of the increase occurred with the number of EMS calls, but our fire calls were up slightly also.  Thankfully, the new record was not inflated due to calls related to the recent winter storm. The ambulance ran all night long, but it was for medical calls only. Fortunately, we did not respond to any accidents as motorist seemed to be driving slow enough to avoid injury causing crashes.

Firefighter Position Open

With the departure of one or our Firefighter/EMT staff members, the City of Indianola is taking applications for a Full Time Firefighter until December 28^th. This is a civil service position and as such subject to civil service testing in addition to a formal interview process.  Chief Brian Seymour and HR Director RoxAnne Hunerdosse will be working with the Indianola Civil Service Commission to fill the position as soon as possible.  Commission members assisting with the hire are Fred Jones, Wayne Peterson and Celeste Gebhart.  Those interested should contact the City immediately regarding this opening with the Indianola Fire Department.

Upcoming Library Events

The Library staff is busy planning for the Adult Winter Reading program which begins right after the New Year. In addition, we are planning to celebrate “Take Your Child to the Library” Day on February 2^nd with story times, activities, and other events for children and their parents. Please visit the staff at the Indianola Library to learn more about the many events and activities happening in 2013.