Council updated on street light project

CRESCO - Public Works Director Rod Freidhof told council members at the Sept. 4 meeting staff are continuing to work on the street lights. “We will be able to change the angle of the lights if we need to.”

In addition, he noted bids for the Vernon Road project were to be opened on Sept. 10. The county will be doing prep work on the mile stretch of road leading to Vernon and a short distance in City limits on Oct. 14 or 21. Paving will follow. The work should go quickly.

“I’m happy to report Mike Born has been nominated for Operator of the Year in Region 1, which is about seven counties. The DNR makes the recommendation.” The City will hear the outcome soon.

• In other business from the meeting, Police Chief Tim Ruroden said the school year started well.

• Cresco Public Library is having a webinar on Sept. 19 from 6-7:30. Several members of the council were thinking of going.

• Councilman Alex Fortune gave an update on the Cresco Theatre & Opera House. Tonic Sol-Fa performed on Aug. 30 to a great audience. “People came from Des Moines, LaCrosse, Iowa City, Elkader and Spirit Lake!” He added manager Wendy Lickteig was doing a wonderful job on getting different acts to come. The next will be Elvis on Sept. 21.

• For Howard County Economic Development, Councilwoman Amy Bouska noted Chester’s traffic camera is working.

At the most recent meeting, Jordan Guyer told the group the Lime Springs sewer plant is now at $9 million. If the City hadn’t kicked it down the road, it would have been less.

She said, “Our property owners don’t have it so bad. Some assessments in Riceville could be $30,000 on their road project.”

• Street closings for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest, the Crestwood Homecoming Parade and Annual Power of Pink 5K Run/Walk were approved.

• Council approved changing the zoning from R-4 (mobile home park district) to R-3 (medium density residential district) for the former trailer park between Vernon Road, 4th Ave. SW, 3rd St. SW and 5th Ave. SW.

• Ahlers & Cooney will prepare the purchase and development agreement for the property BDM will be developing.

• Council waived requirements of Chapter 170 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the 2nd Ave. condominium complex owned by Jim Dietzenbach. He will be able to split the property into four lots and sell each of the condos.

• Ruroden presented a proposal for Lexipol Solutions for updating policies and procedures. “The last time revisions were done was in 2001,” he told council. “I could see what our local attorney could do, but that might be a lot for him.”

Mayor Mark Bohle agreed. “I don’t think the city attorney has the time.”

Ruroden will ask a few more questions of the company and update council at the next meeting.

• The CONEction wrote to council that sometimes Elm Street parking is full. Those from out of town do not know where the public parking is. They suggested some signage to help with the problem. 

Freidhof said new signs should be covered with $500. Bouska, referencing the visitors to see Tonic Sol-Fa, smiled, “If we are getting people here from Elkader, they need to know where to park.”

• City Clerk Michelle Girolamo was directed to write a letter to Alliant Energy stating the council’s disappointment at the proposed increase in rates. Members will sign it at the next meeting.

• The City agreed to enter into a 28E agreement with the county regarding the drainage project on Vernon Road.

• Dan Wennes spoke during comments from the audience about his disappointment in not getting the bid for new construction.

Wennes and Nate Schwickerath gave a proposal for construction on the old trailer court property at an Aug. 19 meeting.

He stated the partners left the meeting feeling they were the only proposal to meet all the requirements. He added, “We don’t think we got a fair shake.”

Council members and the mayor thanked him for his comments.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16.