Council hears big water tower inspection report

CRESCO - Nate Widell, Pubic Works Director, told City Council members the City will start planting boulevard trees in the next few weeks after the May 2 meeting. “There are still some available, so if someone wants one, they should give us a call.”

• In other business from the meeting, Drew Zahasky, Cresco Water Superintendent, introduced Tim Wilson of Dixon Engineering to council members..

Wilson noted the big water tower near East Park was inspected last April. He explained several safety issues found by Iowa DNR and Dixon engineers.

Wilson recommended to high pressure wash the exterior of the water tower and coat it in 1-2 years. It was painted in 2009 and lasts about 12-13 years. The inside is still in good shape.

Some of the safety solutions included having a deck around the tower, which allows more places for the painters to hook onto. The deck can also hold more antennas.

“Most times, a town outgrows a water tower,” Wilson said. This one was constructed around 1965 and holds 500,000 gallons. To replace it would cost between $3.50 and $5.50 per gallon, so keeping it well-maintained is worth the effort and cost.

Another thing to take into account is the downtime, which would be 4-6 weeks. 

City Clerk Michelle Elton said, “We would have to make sure the small tower could handle the water supply if the East tower is shut down.”

Council will wait to get more information on complying with safety recommendations and plan to have the work done in a year or two.

• Raising water and sewer rates was discussed. Currently, the water fund has $757,000, but with the water tower project estimated at costing about $350,000, council has to think about putting away more funds to help pay for it.

In addition, the sewer fund has nearly $1.5 million, but the council is anticipating big projects for it as well.

At the April 18  meeting, Elton recommended a 6% increase for both water and sewer to keep up with expenses associated with the two departments. Rich McConnell, Amy Bouska, Jan Carman and Alex Fortune all voted aye. Gary Kriener voted nay.

On May 2, McConnell told the other members, “I think we need to reconsider the rates.” He said residents will be hit with an increase in garbage fees in the coming year. He felt 6% was too high.

Kriener asked, “Any way to not raise the rates?”

Elton said, “I think you need to increase it a little.” It was noted Decorah has skipped a year or two of raising rates and had to raise it 20% in one year.

Kriener agreed a reserve needed to be kept.

Fortune said, “Nobody wants to raise rates, but we have to be responsible.”

Carman wanted to keep it at 6%. In the end, council agreed to raising water and sewer rates 4% for residential.

Industrial rates, which only affects Aveka Group, Cresco Facility, were raised 4% for water and 8% for sewer. It passed with Bouska, Carman and Fortune voting aye.

A Public Hearing was set to amend the ordinances pertaining to water rates and sewer service charges for Monday, May 16. 

• The Public Works Committee walked North Elm looking at the crosswalks and sidewalks in the downtown area. Members are waiting for answers from WHKS on how many sidewalks can be saved.

• The Park Board decided to break up the $1.5 million improvements so that some of the smaller projects can be accomplished sooner.

• A red oak was planted in Beadle Park in memory of Nick Ruppert for the 150th Arbor Day celebration.

• Police Chief Tim Ruroden said Eddie the Eagle has been busy visiting the local preschools. He also mentioned that two officers had some fun with students attending the After-Prom party.

“Now, we’re waiting for graduation and summer to start,” he said.

• Quotes on the pickleball courts went out.

• Hovey Enterprises was approved for an excavator license.

• Blazek Corporation was approved to be paid $13,722.50 for the cyclone and classifier replacement project.