The Clarion City Council met Tuesday, May 5 in person for the first time in over six weeks. The meeting was held in the ambulance shed so as to allow ample social distancing space. There was also still a phone conference option for attending.
A public hearing was held on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the Water System Improvements Project. This project will replace parts of the water main project in the south part of Clarion, replacing sections of it, and improving flow and pressure. The engineers estimate for the project was 1.36 million with a large part of that covered by a CDBG grant. There was no public comment submitted. The council went on to approve the plans and specs.
Another public hearing was held for the runway lighting project at the airport. Again, no public comments were submitted. The project would replace the lighting that has been in place since the mid-80s with a new LED system. Only one bid from Voltmer, Inc. out of Decorah was submitted for the project, bidding$204,000 which was 27% below the original estimate. That bid was accepted. Due to federal funding and provisions in the CARESAct, there will be no cost to the city for the project.
A public hearing to finalize a loan from Iowa Specialty Hospital through the Small Business Association’s Paycheck Protection Program was pushed back until the next council meeting.
A resolution to make an offer for real estate was approved. The land to be purchased is 8 acres on the west side of town, owned by the Mosher trust, at a price of $140,000. The land is being considered for a new fire station. City Administrator Clint Middleton noted that this would be the first step of many towards that project.
In individual reports, Middleton discussed water bills. Over the past couple of months, the city had elected to be more liberal with their policy of shutting off water for people not current on their bills. Middleton noted they would eventually return to normal with their policies. Council member Dan Hennigar also asked about the possibility of postponing the water rate hike that had started in mid-April so as not to put a burden on residents during an already difficult time. Middleton agreed that he and the city attorney would look into it on behalf of the council.
Middleton also confirmed that they are making moves at city hall to establish protective barriers and social distancing markings for when they fully open. He explained they plan to follow the example of the Wright County Courthouse for opening.
A new police officer was sworn in as part of the meeting. Jeremy Stenda is the newest member of the Clarion Police Department. He will be featured in a Monitor story in the upcoming months.
