Lansing City Council rejects lone bid for North Front Street project

by B.J. Tomlinson

In its regular session Monday night, October 20 the Lansing City Council heard a suggestion from the public to place stop signs or yield signs at the intersection of Fourth and Valley Streets. Fourth Street resident Jackie Ronnfeldt said vehicles speeding around the corners create a dangerous situation. Council members agreed to have the Street Committee look into the matter and report back at the next Council meeting.
The Council reviewed and approved a Community Needs Assessment related to the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)application. Mayor Brennan opened a public hearing to review Resolution #856, authorizing the submission of a CDBG Water/Sewer application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The $208,650 grant request application will be written and administered by the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. The public hearing was closed and the Council approved the resolution.
Bob Mally, a resident who lives in a condominium across from Skinny Dip on North Front Street, addressed the Council regarding parking on the boulevard in front of the condos. All agreed there is a parking problem and that the Street and Safety Committees should meet to consider a solution. Options include reverting back to parking on the boulevard and completely disallowing parking.
Street Superintendent Jerry Aperans said work is underway to “remodel” the burn pile on Valley Street. The area will be fenced soon in order to comply with a Department of Natural Resources requirement to control access to the burn pile.
The Council formally rejected the bid from Tschiggfrie Excavating of Dubuque for the North Front Street Project. The bid was double the original cost estimate provided by WHKS Engineering.  Mayor Mike Brennan said the Council will look into less expensive alternatives, contact the County for specific instructions and “start over.”
In other business, the Council approved a building permit for Paul Manning. Mayor Brennan submitted a lengthy list of ongoing Council projects, including repairing or moving the City Hall,  a golf cart ordinance, street repairs and the Mt. Hosmer barricade issue. The City Clerk reminded the Council that budget meetings and union negotiations will start soon.