Marengo to undertake storm sewer study
By NICK NARIGON
The City of Marengo will pay its engineer $10,000 to conduct a storm water study to assist in planning future improvements.
Marengo City Council unanimously approved a contract agreement with city engineer Dave Schechinger, Veenstra and Kimm, Inc., who will investigate areas in town that require storm sewer improvements.
Schechinger told the council following the Aug. 27 rain event, he took photos and measurements of the collected storm water.
“I was able to get a pretty good idea of how the system is working, or not working,” Schechinger said.
Areas he will investigate include how to improve the storm sewer on South Street, how to improve drainage at the industrial park area and he will look at options to address storm water issues on Roberts Avenue and the surrounding areas, including the previous Miller Street alignment proposal.
Schechinger will also investigate the impact that various improvements to the “old bed” pump station will have on the service area for that pump station.
In addition, he will create a prioritized list of improvements that will improve storm water issues throughout the city.
A final report will include the scope of work and estimated cost to complete all of the recommended improvements.
The total fee for the service will not exceed $10,000.
Marengo City Administrator Brent Nelson said he will verify with the city’s auditor, but it is his belief the city can pay for the study using money from various city funds, including the general fund and water/sewer fund.
“To me, this is something that has to be done,” Nelson said. “This is something that we constantly battle. If we have a plan in place, we have a better opportunity to receive grants and other forms of funding to replace storm sewer.”
Nelson said the engineers will probably begin working on the plan toward the end of the year.
Schechinger noted he looked through the city’s minutes and discovered the last time the city conducted a storm sewer survey was in 1954. Schechinger said the same problem identified in the 1954 survey are the same problems the city is dealing with today.
“They said the sewer system was undersized and they need to get the water over the levee,” Schechinger said.
PHASE I RETAINAGE
Marengo City Council released the retainage to All-American Concrete, Inc., for their work on phase I of the downtown streetscape project.
The city approved a check of $42,026.55 Sept. 14 to be paid to All-American.
The city still has a retainage of $23,000 they are holding on to. The city ordered more benches in order to maximize the CAT grant funding. Once the benches are received, the city will release the entire retainage to All-American.
CAR SALES
Marengo City Council approved an amendment to its zoning ordinance Sept. 14 to allow Drake’s Auto Repair to sell cars off its lot.
According to the amended ordinance, Dave Drake, owner of Drake’s Auto Repair, 101 E. Main St., desires to sell vehicle on the premises. The property is zoned in a C-1 (central business district commercial) area, where car sales are not normally allowed.
According to the amended ordinance, Drake will be able to sell vehicles for a period of one year from the passage of the resolution.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Marengo City Council signed a 28E agreement Monday, Sept. 14, to participate in the Iowa County Economic Development Commission.
The agreement will commence on or before Oct. 1, depending on the participation of the city governments and organizations in Iowa County.
Deb Collum-Calderwood, Iowa County Extension Education Director, said the Iowa County Supervisors and the cities of Ladora, Millersburg, North English, Parnell and Victor have already signed the 28E agreement.
The agreement ends June 30, 2010 and will be renewed annually unless written notice of intent to withdraw is give to the commission by Feb. 1 of each year.
In the first year of the agreement, each partnering unit has the option to make a financial contribution or provide in-kind support to remain part of the agreement. There is no obligation to pay anything, Collum-Calderwood said.
In the second year, beginning July 1, 2010, each partnering unit agrees to pay a share of the expenses of the operation of the commission.
For incorporated cities in the partnering unit, current population figures will be a factor in determining allocation of costs. The cost to the incorporated cities will not exceed $1 per capita.
Beginning July 1, 2010, the Iowa County Board of Supervisors agreed to annually pay a minimum of $25,000 to go toward the expenses of the operation of the commission.
The governing commission will consist of two representatives from the Iowa County Board of Supervisors, two representatives from each incorporated city in Iowa County, two representatives from the Amana Society and one representative from the Iowa County Farm Bureau.
Tony Hocamp and Brent Nelson represent Marengo on the commission.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Marengo City Council member Candi Schmieder said the city is seeking the opinion of Marengo residents in order to help develop the city’s comprehensive plan.
The comprehensive plan is a guideline for the city to help determine future growth and how to maintain a viable community.
A survey is available online and in hard copy for residents to fill out. The questionnaire includes questions about land use, transportation, community facilities, environmentally sensitive areas, annexation and extraterritorial and city services.
The survey is posted on the city’s Web site at www.marengoiowa.com and hard copies can be obtained from Marengo City Hall and the Marengo Public Library.
UPDATED September 16, 2009 9:53 AM