City projects are pricey

GLENWOOD CITY — The City Council approved expenditures at their regular monthly meeting Monday evening, September 19th that carried large price tags.

The council approved the first payment for work at Hinman Park, purchased a generator for the water utility, approved construction work at the Recycling Center, ok’ed a new chemical for the wastewater treatment facility and made a donation to the all school reunion.

Brent Standaert appeared before the council with an update on the work being done to the ball fields at Hinman Park. He noted that the work is about three weeks behind schedule because of rain and contractors’ work at the school, and he questioned if seeding could be done yet this year.

Standaert noted that the fence work has been started and that should be finished by the weekend. He addressed the concrete work that needs to be done including a pad at the concession stand and a sidewalk to allow handicapped access to the ball fields. He noted that they have some $98,000 on hand for the project plus he informed the council that he had applied for a $25,000 grant from Bremer Bank. Later in the meeting the council approved a first payment to Albrightson Excavating for work that has been done at Hinman Park in the amount of $52,744.

The Public Works Director, Dave Caress, reported that they have purchased a used generator for the City’s Water Utility. This item has been in the works for some time since the DNR cited the city’s number two well house with a number of deficiencies late last year and the council made a decision to move ahead and abandon that site in favor of a new well at a new location. The generator will be place at well house number two at Hinman Park and used as a backup in case of a power failure. The cost of the generator is $16,000.

Another high priced item is the improvements at the Recycling Center that Caress estimated to be around $50,000 to replace the retaining wall with a new concrete wall, new pad for the dumpster box, patching the floor in the building and new blacktopping at the center. Caress had price sheets for the work, but the council was informed that by state law, if the project goes over $25,000, there must be bids and a two week advertising period. City Attorney Autumn Lindquist noted to the council that the city code requires the bidding process if the cost is above $1,000. Members of the council noted that they are in the process of rewriting the city codes and that part will be raised to the $25,000 level.

After some figuring and discussion the council agreed to do part of the work including the new wall and pad at an estimated cost of $21,500.

During his report, Caress told of the test for treatment of phosphorus at the wastewater treatment facility. He noted to the council that within two years the state would be requiring the city to limit the phosphorus discharge from the facility. Caress said that they would be adding Alum to the third pond to determine if the Alum would treat the water and reduce the phosphorus. Caress hoped it will work and then they can show the DNR that the facility can reduce the discharge of phosphorus to the state standards. The cost of the chemical was estimated at $1,500.

The council voted to donate $500 to the All School Reunion set for next September.

Caress reported on plans for the crumbling retaining walls along Maple and First Street. He told the council that he has the cap blocks for the walls along Maple Street and that city crew would start replacing them soon. As for the walls on First Street that need complete replacement, he is getting bids for replacing them with a concrete wall. Caress also reported that the DNR is scheduled to inspect the Recycling Center and burn site on Tuesday.

In other city business the council passed a resolution to exempt the city from the county library tax. The city currently funds the local library at $25,000.

During his police report, Chief Robert Darwin noted that the Rustic Lore Celebration went off without any incidents. He was questioned about application for the open police officer position, and had he received any applications? He stated that the deadline was Friday and that he has received about 15 applications.

The council approved operator’s licenses to: Amy Jo Shervington, Jill L. Darwin, Gretchen J. Olson and Jason A. Suss.