Cresco to get cell tower

CRESCO - No need to get too excited about the future installation of a cell tower by Verizon. With all the paperwork, soil boring and locating utility wires, it won’t be until spring 2019 when construction begins. The site assessment will be done soon.

Cresco Public Works Director Rod Freidhof told council members on Nov. 6 the tower will go on City property just behind the water tower on Highway 9.

He revealed Verizon was looking at constructing three towers in the area within the next few years. Freidhof knew of Cresco and Dorchester, but not the third.

• In other business, Council gave WHKS permission to proceed looking into a three-block project on 2nd St. East from 3rd Ave. to 6th Ave. The project would include all storm sewer intakes. Initial costs would be $851,000 and affect 21 properties.

If the project is approved in the future, WHKS representative Daren Sikkink gave a rough estimate of a $10,300 assessment per property.

• Five bids were received on the Downtown Alley Project. The lowest bid was from Mehmert Tiling for $381,795. Sikkink thought all the bids were a little high.

The work would be done on alleys west of the theatre, south of the theatre and in the alley north of theatre (behind Times Plain Dealer). It would include sanitary sewer repairs, replacing storm sewers and resurfacing. If approved, the project would begin in spring 2018 and be completed by June 15.

• The pond structure in Malek Addition is working as was expected.

• Bid requests were sent to seven different entities for removal of city-owned ash trees from 3rd Ave. to 7th Ave., the entire length of town from the fairgrounds to the school.

One individual did not return a bid, another was late, which left five bids to open on Nov. 6. Pinter Landscaping & Tree Service was $83,196; Total Tree Care was $44,505; Tarzan Tree Service was $59,500; Wilson Custom Tree was $34,998; and Complete Tree Service was $77,640.

Council approved the lowest bid, from Wilson Custom Tree to remove 128 trees. Phases II and III for removing ash trees will include 130 trees each of the following two years.

• Three quotes were received for treating ash trees in the parks. Since then, the Park Department is looking at having employee Wendy Bohr take training. The City would then purchase the necessary equipment and treat them in house.

•  Gary Gooder was in attendance to ask the City to vacate 3rd Ave. SW. He noted, “The road will never be able to [be used].” He requested the vacation to allow his expansion project to move forward. The 11,000 foot addition will increase the property tax revenues and create 8-15 new jobs. “We are on pace to grow 10 percent next year,” he added.

Council agreed to have the Planning & Zoning Committee review the request and make a recommendation to the City council.

• Ordinance 469 was read, which raises the cost of garbage and recycling two percent each Jan. 1, ending Dec. 31, 2022. It will be approved at the next meeting.

• The City of Cresco approved entering into a contract with Gross-Wen Technologies for a cutting edge project that is an algae-based treatment system for wastewater treatment.

The City invested $100,000 to be part of a pilot project that removes nitrogen and phosphorous from the wastewater. If, after 12-24 months, the City chooses not to go forward, it would be paid back $60,000 for the equipment. If it chooses to go forward, it already has one-third of the cost of equipment paid for.

Freidhof explained other programs with the same outcome cost well over $1 million.

The equipment will be installed in the spring.

• Jim Perry spoke on behalf of the Freedom Rock Memorial Park committee and invited those present to the Freedom Rock unveiling on Veterans Day.

• Jason Passmore, Howard County Business & Tourism, spoke about several ribbon-cuttings taking place and invited members to the Cresco Area Chamber and CIDC banquet on Nov. 10, with proceeds going to Howard-Winneshiek Foundation. In addition, the Santa Parade will be Nov. 24, and Cresco business open houses will be Nov. 19.

• City Clerk Michelle Girolamo is working on the budget.

• The Airport Commission elected Gerald Ferrie as president. Kim Bentz was reappointed to a three-year term.

• Council then went into closed session to discuss the potential purchase of real estate.

Council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of the month.