Lansing City Council sets March 13 for budget hearing, discusses Clear Creek project
by B.J. Tomlinson
Because of scheduling conflicts, the Lansing City Council could not meet Monday, February 20 and, instead, met in a delayed regular session Tuesday, February 21. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council adopted the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and set Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. for the Public Hearing. Those residents interested in discussing the proposed budget are invited to attend.
The Council reviewed and discussed the proposed budget. Mayor Mike Brennan stated that the budget is quite thin, noting that road use monies are available for repairs of Shaw, Sixth and Center Streets, but no other street projects are planned this coming year. Because of the closing of the Luster Heights Facility, no laborers will be available as in the past for mowing and other City tasks. Brennan and Street Superintendent Ken Ripp discussed the possibility of hiring part-time summer workers to replace them, although City Clerk Katie Becker said that option would take funds away from the Street budget.
Brennan also said, "We will probably end up bonding for the upcoming South Road Bridge Project.” Brennan said current bonds are paid from use fees, which is why the community’s water/sewer rates are so high. However, levee rates have dropped from 17.17 to 16.12.
Councilman Kurt Snitker asked if the new budget included any support for Main Street Lansing. Becker said $10,000 has been budgeted for tourism.
Heath Draeger, People Service Representative, presented a 20-year water usage comparison chart. He also said trees need to be removed near the Mt. Hosmer reservoir, and presented two estimates, one for $500 and the other for $745, which Becker said could be paid from the maintenance fund.
The Council discussed progress on the Clear Creek Sewer Project. Draeger reported an issue with a new estimate from Fehr Graham Engineering regarding the cost of the project. He said the estimate came in after a discussion between the Council and Jon Biederman, a Fehr Graham engineer, a few weeks ago. The eligible amount for the project was determined to be $209,945. FEMA would not cover several items, as Draeger explained, “…Upstream stabilization, concrete matting and steel sheeting are ineligible to receive FEMA funds.”
Draeger went on to say that FEMA would cover $168,495.00 of the cost but this amount also did not include $34,000 for engineering fees. If that amount is confirmed, the City would be responsible for 30%, or $64,000. City Clerk Becker said the City doesn’t have $64,000 and also felt the $34,000 engineering fee was too high. Draeger suggested that the entire plan be re-evaluated and perhaps revert back to a rip-rap fix, which is what the WHKS engineering firm recommended prior to hiring the Fehr Graham firm last fall.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Mayor Brennan responded to an ambulance call and appointed Councilman Pat Wagner as Mayor Pro-tem during his absence.
The discussion related to the Clear Creek Sewer Project continued. Wagner asked if the Red Barn would be assessed for any of the costs since they are the only consumer of City sewer services in that area. Draeger said the City paid for the service lines to be connected to City sewer services several years ago and wondered “... if the City should pay for it a second time." Becker said the City collects around $4500 a year from them and confirmed that the Red Barn is within City limits. Various options for repairs and funding were discussed.
Superintendent Ripp suggested that the exposed plastic be changed to steel and then rip-rap added underneath and on the sides. He said, “I've done that a number of times and they're still holding. The creek will run right over it.” Ripp went on to say that, “If we hired someone to do the steel casing and we did the rip rap, we'd save a ton of money." Those present agreed that more information and a second opinion are needed. They instructed Draeger and the water/sewer committee to talk to FEMA representative Leon Fremon and People Service Eastern Region Manager Dennis White. A meeting among those involved was set for March 2 at 2 p.m.
Mayor Brennan returned to the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. Police Chief Ed Stahl distributed an activity report comparing the number of calls and cases between years, reminding the Council that the City will be reimbursed from the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force for overtime pay for officers involved in drug investigations.
In other business, the Council approved grant applications by the Lions Club for new playground equipment. Councilman Snitker announced that the next RAGBRAI meeting was to be held Thursday.
Mayor Brennan appointed current Council members to the active committees: Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks - Kolsrud, Wagner; Water, Sewer and Street Lights - Kolsrud, Snitker; Grounds, Buildings, Parks and Marina - Runkle, Snitker; Swimming Pool and Summer Rec - Wagner and Runkle; Budget, Planning, Development - Kolsrud, Wagner; Public Safety Ordinance - Conway, Kolsrud; Administration - Conway, Runkle.
