Council approves abatement mowing bid, new street signage

The council received five sealed bids which were opened during the meeting. The bids were as follows:

Scott Ammons, $35 per hour; General American, $50 per hour; Ryan’s Custom Services, $65 per hour; Proctor Landscaping, $75 per hour; and Summit Turf Management, $100 per hour.

The council voted to accept the bid from Scott Ammons.

The council also approved the first reading of Ord. 931, regarding No Parking on North 2nd Street.

The council voted to table a proposal from Angran Enterprises about maintenance of the city brush dump so they could get more information.

The council also tabled possibly seeking waiver signatures from residents in the Brush Dump Burn Exclusion Zone.

The council approved placing Slow Children at Play signage in the 900 block of South 13th Street.

The council tabled an increase to the Albia Waterworks Sewer/Landfill Collection Fee.

The council discussed rescinding Ord. 116A, Parks Commission and replacing it with a two person council steering committee.

The council approved revising Ord. 116A to include two council members and the department heads of the Sanitation and Streets departments as part of the Parks Commission.

The council also tabled discussion of improvements to the fencing and signage at the firing range to get more information as well as improvements for Reservoir Park. The proposed improvements include: new solar lights near restrooms, lockable storage for supplies (for hosts), and keys for electric hook–up (for hosts).

The council also tabled adding a meal reimbursement policy to the Employee Handbook and discussion of news hours for city hall.

Chamber Main Street Director Laura Teno gave an update to the council.

During Supervisors comments Street Commissioner Scott Reed reported that the speed sign will be moved and that work on the bridge approach at the Reservoir was done.

Sanitation Commissioner Josh Pettyjohn updated the council on the sewer lining project. He also said the 12-inch mains will need more work, as they are collapsing.

Mayor Andrews said he had received complaints about driveway culverts being plugged.

During council comments council member Chris Yarkosky talked about the bridges at the Reservoir that will need future work. Yarkosky also said he would like the landscaping project in front of City Hall added to the next agenda. Council member Dan Johnson said he had received calls from St. Mary’s Church about commercial trucks using the church parking lot to turn around because Highway 34 is closed. The trucks are trying to cut through the old highway, but realize they can’t make it through the underpass. Council member Nick Crall said he would contact the church to see if they want the city using barricades to prevent trucks from turning around.