Water / sewer rate increase for Cresco

CRESCO - Water and sewer rates in Cresco will be increasing, starting with the July bill.

Public hearings and second readings of the ordinances were held on Monday, April 3. The third reading and subsequent passing of Ordinance 464 for water and Ordinance 465 for sewer will take place at the Monday, April 17 meeting. There were no oral or written comments.

Water rates will raise approximately four percent, which will increase the minimum bill by 30¢ for water. Sewer rates will raise about one percent for a minimum amount of 12¢. That makes a total of 42¢ for the minimum bill. 

• In other business, a public hearing was set for a RAGBRAI® Ordinance.

The Cresco RAGBRAI® Executive Board followed the direction of RAGBRAI®, which uses its experience from previous years to make recommendations to host towns.

Bar owners Wayne Smith of South Side Bar, Jim Holstrom of The Pub and Tammy Courtney of The M were on hand to ask about allowing the bar establishments to have outdoor beverage gardens.

The ordinance was presented, “No temporary outdoor beverage gardens or outdoor entertainment will be allowed except the Cresco RAGBRAI® Committee events. An exception is allowed for existing licensed permanent premises.”

City Clerk Michelle Girolamo explained the Cresco RAGBRAI® beer garden, which is the major fund-raiser for the entire event, also has to make money. In 2005, the total cost was about $80,000 with $10,000-12,000 left over.

Councilman Steve McCarville, who is on the Executive Board, was taking the ordinance back to the board for review.

There will be a public hearing on the ordinance, which also includes prices for food/vendor stands, at the April 17 Council meeting.

• Council also voted to allow RAGBRAI® revenues and expenses to go through the 150th checking account, to keep it separate from other accounts.

• Another ordinance being amended was read. It allows for the change in terms and compensation of all the boards and commissions for the City. 

They include Library Board of Trustees, Theatre and Champlin Hall Commission, Planning and Zoning, Park and Recreation Board, Airport Commission and Board of Adjustment. The ordinance allows volunteers to serve up to  three consecutive terms of three years each and wait two years before reappointment. There is no compensation for services.

• First quarter 2017 tourism funds were awarded by the City Council, with recommendations from the advisory committee. There was $11,000 requested for the $4,253.23 available. In total, $10,250 was awarded with the balance coming from reserve funds.

Mighty Howard County Fair requested and was awarded $3,000. The committee scored the event favorable since the fair draws people to Cresco and the lodging facilities are usually booked.

Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce requested $1,500 and received $1,250 for Family Fun Nights. It is another event that brings people to Cresco to enjoy the great outdoors.

Cresco Theatre & Opera House requested and received $2,000 from reserve funds for a popcorn machine. The movies shown will help keep people in Cresco and bring visitors to town as well.

Cresco Industrial Development Corporation requested $4,000, which was awarded from reserve funds, for a hospitality study. The study will provide information on whether more lodging would be beneficial to the town.

Due to limited tourism funds, Notre Dame was turned down this cycle $500, $250 each for the 5K Family Fun Run Walk and Tee Time for Technology Golf Tournament. The committee will keep the request in mind for the next cycle.

Council person Amy Bouska noted there is about $10,000 in reserve funds still available when needed.

• Jason and Angela Dobbs were given a credit on their sewer bill as water from a leak they discovered in their home did not go into the sanitary sewer.

• Jered Peterson of Precision Concrete Cutting gave a presentation on his services of removing trip hazards from City sidewalks. The company is looking at doing the City sidewalks in one project or divide the work over several years. Public Works Director Rod Freidhof said the City would probably do it in sections. The cost of assessment would be $165 per sidewalk mile. It would make the sidewalks ADA compliant.

Freidhof noted there are about 50 miles of streets in the City limits, but not that many sidewalk miles.

The next City Council meeting for Cresco will be April 17 at 7 p.m.