Lansing City Council approves final South Road Bridge Replacement Project plans
by B.J. Tomlinson
At the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday night, March 20, Mayor Pro-tem Rebecca Conway opened the meeting. At 7:03 p.m., after approving the Consent Agenda, Conway opened a public hearing related to the Bridge Replacement Project on South Road.
Julie Neebel, representing iiW Engineering from Dubuque, reviewed and summarized the project. She said bids would be opened tomorrow (Tuesday) through the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). "The road will be closed during construction," she explained. "The existing bridge will be replaced with a new 130-foot bridge, a 30-foot wide roadway and a five-foot sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. The bridge will be three spans so there will be a pier on each side of the stream with room between the pier and the abutment so that people can walk or fish along the stream."
Neebel went on to say that the road will be a granular surfaced roadway except in the immediate area of the bridge where there will be concrete pavement. Extra erosion controls and provisions for a sanitary sewer lining are included in the cost. She estimated that the construction will take four to five months at a cost of $1.25 million; $1 million will come from the Federal Government and the City will match 20%. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:11 p.m. and the Council formally approved the presented plan. The DOT-selected contracts will be delivered to the Council at the next regular Council meeting.
People Service Representative Heath Draeger reported the results of a meeting regarding the Clear Creek restoration project. He met with a FEMA representative, Mayor Mike Brennan, Leon Fremon and Jon Biederman last week. Draeger said the group discussed and negotiated the scope of the project, with FEMA finally approving mitigation of 115 feet and paying $18,000 engineering fees. Meetings with engineers will take place in April and bids submitted prior to July 14.
Police Chief Ed Stahl reported that one of his department's squad cars continues to malfunction and will necessitate repair or replacement. The culprit is suspected to be a "Police Interface Module". Further information and a definitive diagnosis is needed in order to make a decision. Stahl also reported that alcohol compliance checks were recently made in local businesses. One violation was cited in Lansing but none in New Albin. Train speeds have also been monitored.
Parks Department representative Dave Pleasants questioned the Council regarding the placement of a volleyball court and net. Council members requested that the Lions Club be consulted regarding the plan to avoid conflicts of space utilization. Pleasants and the Council also discussed problems finding coaches, pool lifeguards and other personnel for the Summer Rec Program. So far, only one individual has agreed to accept coaching duties.
