Council updated on repairs to dam
According to City Administrator Lisa Kuss, officers opened the gate 3 inches at 3:42 p.m. Friday, July 9. At 6:05 p.m., officers noticed the cables used to raise and lower the gate were snapped off the gate. City staff evaluated the situation on Saturday, July 10 at 2 p.m., determining that it would be safe to wait until Monday to begin the repairs. Kuss met with officials from Lunda Construction to discuss a repair plan on Sunday evening, and crews arrived on scene at 7 a.m. Monday to begin repair work on the dam.
Kuss said the city is not certain what caused the damage, but said that electrical issues could be at fault. "I don't think this problem resulted from employee error when opening the gate," Kuss said. "There has got to be some sort of glitch with the electrical system." She also noted that the motor and lift system had acted "flukey" on two other occasions in the past, but no damage was found and no problems ensued on those occasions.
Kuss explained that one gate needs repair, along with the two arms that support that gate. She also said the city will examine the motor and electrical system, which was installed in 1984. Kuss also said repairs to the dam made in 2001 were not affected by the issues with the gate.
Price quotes for the repair work will be sought, and the total project cost can not be determined at this time; however, Kuss stated that a ballpark estimate of $50,000 would not be unreasonable. The city has submitted an insurance claim but it is not known whether or not insurance will cover any of the costs.
The council went on to congratulate Jeff Smith on his retirement from the Street Department, thanking him for 33 years of service to the city and its residents.
Mayor Magee reported that the World War I cannon has been refurbished and will be kept in storage until the Facilities Committee can meet and recommend an acceptable location for the cannon to be placed.
A discussion was also held regarding the WE Energies building located at 35 S. Clinton Ave. WE Energies offered the building to the city at no cost, and the city accepted the building by an 8-2 vote at their meeting on May 11. The city has been working with the Department of Agriculture on a grant that would be used to remodel the WE Energies building and parts of City Hall/Police Department at 50 10th St.
The city applied for a grant in the amount of $150,000, and would borrow an estimated $300,000 to $350,000 to complete the project.
The council discussed the project, noting that if the grant money and loans were not available, the city would not be required to develop the properties as a condition of accepting the property at 35 S. Clinton Ave. from WE Energies.
The council also was informed that all documents have been signed for the land transfers needed to facilitate the reconstruction of the intersection at Hwy. 22 and Hwy. 45. Bids are being solicited and will be opened late Monday, Aug. 9.
A lightning strike that took out all the lights on runway 4-22 at the airport was also noted by the council. The total repair cost is $18,416. Insurance will cover $13,416, and the remaining $5,000 is the city's deductible. Work will be completed locally by Krueger Sign and Electric.
A repair on the rails and supports that raise and lower the pumps in sewer lift station 9 was also approved. It was reported that these rails and supports are at a stage of disrepair such that there is a high risk of being unable to reach the pumps, if required for repair. The cost for this project is $6,832 and will come from the Wastewater Utilities' Department of Natural Resources replacement fund.
The council also approved the installation of a new pole and antenna at the northeast corner of the City Hall complex to facilitate a new radio system the fire department secured through grant funding.
Ordinance 1058 was also adopted at the council meeting, which adopts the state smoking ban law so that local tickets can be written if there are any violations, thus keeping citation revenue in the city.
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