Street project on Vernon Road considered by Council

Cresco - Howard County is planning to repave the Vernon Road from Cresco City limits to the bridge at Vernon Springs in spring 2019, Cresco City Council learned at the Oct. 15 meeting.

Council members voted to do a feasibility study on having a street project for the City portion of Vernon Road. Daren Sikkink of WHKS estimated Cresco’s portion would be $2.5 million, which includes water main replacements. 

A portion of the bill would be assessed to property owners. There is a good bit of agricultural land along Vernon Road that will be assessed, but property owners are given the ability to defer the assessment until or if the land is developed.

City Clerk Michelle Girolamo explained the amount will stay on the tax rolls until it is developed.

• In other business, Public Works Director Rod Freidhof said there were 137 ash trees marked for removal. Quotes were sent out and will be opened at the Nov. 5 meeting. He was also going to request $3,500 grants from Alliant and Black Hills again.

He noted the 2nd St. Project was completed for the year. The City is letting the gravel settle over the winter, and then it will be paved.

The water main has been extended to the new fire station building.

The property at 605 N. Elm St. was sold as a nuisance property. The owner asked for a furlough due to a 120-day affidavit that needs completed first.

The City was part of a pilot project for the sewer plant. It invested over $85,000 but only got one week’s worth of data. What that week showed, though, was the system removed 85 percent of ammonia-nitrogen, 50 percent COD, 40 percent nitrogen and 55 percent phosphorus.

The company, Gross Wen Technologies, agreed not to bill the additional $15,000 because of all the down time. In addition they will bring a small reactor on a trailer next spring.

• Girolamo said the ACES company will present a proposal for IT services, including computer upgrades, which are needed in the next year or two.

She is working on budgets.

• Councilman Dave Brenno and Library Director Cynthia Kay spoke on the library. Brenno said the window project was finished. Kay said the new computers were running fine, and staff is working out the glitches, which may have something to do with Mediacom.

Brenno said some boards are not implementing the roll call vote, which the City mandated at an earlier meeting. Councilwoman Amy Bouska stated, “They need to follow this. This isn’t optional.”

Kay mentioned the silent auction was taking place.

She also wondered if the library could be part of the City’s credit card processing policy. Girolamo said the City wanted to try it first, and then the Fitness Center, Library and Theatre would be added.

• Mayor Mark Bohle was appointed to review the monthly bank reconciliations and invoices, which was recommended at the City’s audit.

• The City went into closed session concerning the purchase of property.

The next Council meeting will be Monday, Nov. 5 at City Hall at 7 p.m.