L.S. road project moving forward

[Editor's Note: an update on the project is the paving actually started on Oct. 20, so all dates will be later than stated in this article.]

LIME SPRINGS - Council members learned the street project has been going fairly smoothly, according to Public Works Director Tyler Smith, at the regular Oct. 4 meeting.

“We found things we didn’t know about. They weren’t on the maps, like an abandoned line from 1989 [on S. Lincoln St./50th St.].”

In addition, the main is six feet underground on the east side shoulder of road. Above that, at about two feet underground are lines from Windstream and other utilities the contractors have to work around.

“Mysteries crop up every day,” Smith added.

Drew Weber of Bolton & Menk Engineering said the utility work should be completed the week of Oct. 10, with roadwork to start after that.

Croell Redi-Mix has contacted the City that it wants to buy about 65,000 gallons of water every day, starting tentatively on Oct. 17, in regards to the paving project. In addition, the company offered to repair with leftover concrete some of the holes left after water main breaks.

According to Howard County Engineer Nick Rissman, trimming of the roads started in Chester the week of Oct. 3. Trimming is getting the base down to the exact elevation needed for paving.

It always depends on multiple factors, but he was hoping the paving would begin Oct. 13-14 or 17-18. Again, depending on conditions, one-half mile to three-quarters of a mile will be paved each day. If everything works perfect, it could be done the end of October or, more likely, the beginning of November. Then hand-work needs to be done, along with shoulders.

Jackson St. will be done last and finished by the end of November.

When they do Jackson St. there will likely be a detour spot over the Matthew Leverson yard for residents to get to their homes on Kitchen St. That intersection at the four-way stop has a sanitary sewer that is 20 feet deep.

• In other business, Jason Passmore of Howard County Economic Development discussed some options for the properties at 105/107 Willard St., where the two buildings were taken down by the City this summer. 

He noted that it cost the City approximately $138,000 for that project. With that much already invested in the property, he suggested to take it slow. “Don’t rush through it. You spent a lot of money and fought hard. Now you need to have a plan, and not just get rid of the property.”

One option is to ask for public proposals. “You never know who might be interested in building on it.” He said the proposals could be complete commercial property, or 100% housing or a combination of the two.

“When Cresco did this, they did not give any other incentives. They had already paid $200,000 for the property.”

He challenged council members to figure out what they want to go in the space and then move forward.

• Smith reported Emerson Leid was approved for building a pole shed for garage and storage.

“The dump has been cleaned up. Mehmerts got it more organized.”

He also had calls on two boulevard trees. “Betty Walker called about a tree that has dead branches, The tree is actually totally dead, and it’s in bad shape.” He is getting a quote to have it and another tree at the Heather Tucke residence taken down.

• Eddie Miller gave the Library report. He noted Laney Frazer was elected to take the place of Becky Pahl on the board.

Upcoming events include Scary Story Time on Oct. 17, Alcoholic Anonymous meeting on Oct. 22, Halloween Story Hour party on Oct. 26 and a special Halloween Bingo Night on Oct. 29.

He said the Library is short of staff. One person is leaving and another will be gone for the winter. That leaves just director Janet DeVries.

He was told he could advertise in the paper, on Facebook or other places to get employees.

• Sharla Lieder asked to have the phone disconnected at the pool. “We will get a cell phone for next year.” She added a request to take down the ball field signs and volleyball nets to winterize.

• Some changes to the ordinance book were discussed with no solid solution, yet.

• Sam Gage of Maguire Iron gave a proposal on painting and maintenance of the water tower. There is some corrosion on the bottom of the bowl that should be taken care of. The inside and outside had been painted in 2011.

“The typical life cycle of the paint is 10 years for the outside and 15 for the inside,” he explained.

The cost for the paint should be about $150,000. Council can decide if it wants to continue with a years payment of $11,500 (with annual increases), for maintenance. Maguire Iron would perform yearly inspections and use the remainder for future painting.

• The Annual Financial Report and Street Report were approved. 

The next regular meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 1.