|
|
The council agreed to accept, with minor changes, the proposed plans and specifications developed by the City Building Inspector Jim Pope.
Pope said the specifications call for a metal roof and siding similar to what was used on the Fire Station. He noted that the plans are specific to building standards, but flexible enough that contractors can offer different materials of equal quality for council approval. The roof is expected to last 50 years and siding some 30 years. Pope said the plans are designed to encourage local contractors to offer quotes.
Councilman Steve Lafaurie expressed caution at spending too much on a building that the city isn't sure how long it will use. He suggested costs of the materials should be weighed against how long the city plans to use the building. Yet to be decided is the color of the materials.
Citizen Karen Burton questioned how the city could legally proceed with the building repairs without asking for competitive bids. She urged the council to review the state laws on competitive bidding. She noted as a taxpayer, she would prefer to see competitive bidding so she could get the best price for her tax dollars.
Burton also asked the council if they intended to pursue National Flood Insurance as she had suggested last year. She noted that the county engineer has already gotten a preliminary FEMA flood plain map.
Mayor Jerry Kauffman said City Administrator Doug Morgan had not informed him of any plans to go forward with participation in the national flood insurance program.
KES Playground
On the recommendation of Councilman Lafaurie, the council approved a motion authorizing the city to provide a 10% match to all funds raised by the Kalona Elementary School playground committee up to $250,000 or a maximum of $25,000.
The council stated that the matching funds would be for funds raised in the 2009-10 fiscal year. Lafaurie noted that the project provides the type of playground facilities that young families look for when considering where to locate. He also praised the volunteer effort on the project, as being the type the council should encourage.
Lafaurie suggested funding the city's 10% share from the $328,000 in Washington County Riverboat Foundation funds(WCRF).
Jan Knebel of the of the KES Playground Committee told the council that the committee has raised enough to purchase the playground equipment but still needed to raise $208,000 for safe surface under the equipment.
The council approved a motion to approve an application for some $129,000 from the WCRF to help fund the new surface under playground equipment at City Park. City Clerk Karen Christner said the city would commit $29,000 to the project and the city has already gotten a $15,000 DNR grant for the $75,000 project.
City Council member Claudine Miller-Zahradnek said she didn't realize the park project was not contingent upon the WCRF grant. She said the city needs to get better playground equipment, as the present equipment is not in very good shape.
The council approved the second and third reading and approved amending the city ordinances to allow placement of stop signs for on 3rd and 2nd Streets at the intersection of C Avenue so vehicles traveling on 2nd and 3rd streets stop at C Avenue.
Paving projects
The council approved the following street repairs and parking lot paving:
*Broken asphalt and crack filled repairs consisting of 27 sq. yards (several places), $4,905.
*Parking lot at 6th Street and B Avenue (east of Gambles), $15,913.
*Paving intersection of A Avenue and 6th Street, $23,673.
*Chip seal coat repairs to 2nd Street and 3rd Streets south of J Avenue, $8,375.
The council approved payment No. 5 of $27,075 for work on the 6th Street Lift Station.
The city granted Kalona Cooperative Telephone Co. an easement right of way for laying fiber optic cable along the east drive in the City Park.
The beer permit and Sunday sales permit for Casey's General Store was approved.
