Council gets bid on 7th St. W. project

CRESCO - Before the May 1 Cresco City Council meeting, bids were opened for the 7th St. W. project. 

Scott Huneke of WHKS Engineers stated the engineer’s estimate for a six-inch concrete road was $3.2 million and the alternate bid, for an eight-inch road, was $3.3 million.

Two bids were received, one from Skyline at $3.7 million and $3.9 million, compared with the winning bid from Generation X at $3.4 and $3.56. 

“The street bid was actually lower than the estimate so property assessments will likely go down slightly. The City’s portion, which was the pond and other utilities was higher than the estimate, so that will be higher.”

WHKS recommended going with the bid from Generation X and to go with the six-inch thick road.

Council person Rich McConnell said, “If we are going with the six-inch, I think we need to keep trucks off.” 

Council person Amy Bouska said, “Except for the county, since they are on that road.”

Gary Kriener said, “We can make the truck route go by Calvary Cemetery and come into town that way.”

• Jerry Ferrie spoke for the Airport Commission. He presented a resurfacing project, along with sealing cracks. “The total cost is going to be a half-million. [With the grant,] the state’s amount would be $400,000. Ours would be $100,000.”

This project will seal the cracks and put a three-inch asphalt layover and pressed down to two inches and then repaint the lines.

Last year, the Commission was looking at $135,000 to fix the cracks. Now they can do it all at the same time. It should last 20 years or more.

Currently, the Airport has $89,000 in the trust, with another $18,000 expected to come in, which would put the total over the $100,000 match.

• The second readings of the proposed raising of water rates and sewer services. 

• Public Works Director Nate Widell reported an inspection was done on the small tower, in anticipation of the bigger tower in northeast Cresco being cleaned and painted. “Everything was good.” 

In addition the water department was flushing hydrants that week.

An Arbor Day celebration was held with a red flowering crabapple tree planting in memory of John Schmauss, a 30-year employee of the City of Cresco.

“We will plant boulevard trees this week. We had 55 trees requested, which is a great amount. They are paid for by an Alliant Energy and Black Hills grant.”

“We recommend to accept the low bid from Generation X. 

• Deputy Clerk Niki Hill stated LTD Broadband rebranded to GigFire.

City Clerk Michelle Elton explained a press release from the Governor’s office came to an agreement on a proposal  for property tax legislation. Struck House file in its entirety. They will put limits on assessment growth and more. “Unfortunately, the assessment growth will hurt us a lot and consolidated levies will hurt us, too. A summary will come out soon.”

• Council person Jan Carman reported on the Chamber meeting. There are three family fun nights scheduled: one on May 17 will be at the Fitness Center with laser tag from 4-8 p.m.; June 7 will be at East Park with an outdoor movie; and Aug. 8, it will be in conjuction with National Night Out and the circus.

• Council person Alex Fortune spoke for the Theatre Commission. The Theatre had Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio with 240 total tickets sold. “After all was said and done, the taxpayers earned $1,289.53.” He noted the Opera House is getting to be a place where people from other towns want to emulate.

“Bringing these live acts to Cresco is making a big impact on the economy.”

• Council approved a street closing and parade permit for a 5K run, walk and roll event to raise money for CureGRIN foundation. (GRI Disorders are part of a larger family of genetic diseases related to ionotropic glutamate receptors. These receptors play an important role in learning and memory as well as other critical biological functions.) The event will take place on June 4.

• Tree Doctor Services was approved for a Tree Surgeon License.

The next regular meeting was on Monday, May 15.