Lansing City Council approves South Road Bridge project proposal during regular session
by B.J. Tomlinson
The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, August 1. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council reviewed and approved two proposals related to street repairs. One proposal was for paving a portion of Valley Street which will become a part of the Clear Creek Project; the Council approved the Strub bid of (up to) $8,000, which will be considered a contingency cost covered by grant funds. The second was a proposal from IIW Engineers (Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin) for the South Road Bridge over the Clear Creek Project.
Julie Neebel, an engineer for IIW, presented drawings, a budget, a timeline and options for the Council’s consideration. The $1,250,000 project proposal is for a 130-foot bridge with either a five-foot or eight-foot sidewalk and a 30-foot wide gravel roadway with a grass walking path extending from Highway 9 to South Road. A total of $1 million will be provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for the project and the remaining cost will be provided by the City. Permits will first be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with bid letting scheduled for February of 2017 and construction to begin later in 2017.
Neebel asked the Council to decide whether to add sidewalks to the bridge and, if so, what size, and whether to add the grass walking path. Mayor Mike Brennan noted that an appropriate-sized sidewalk on the bridge would make the bridge eligible for designation as a bike trail; this designation would allow for obtaining future grant funding. The Council agreed to plan for a five-foot bridge sidewalk now so that Neebel can move forward with applications for the permits.
The Council discussed and approved the purchase of a dump truck which can be used by City crews. Street Superintendent Ken Ripp said the City would save money by hauling its own rip rap and other materials rather than paying trucking fees. The truck will be purchased for $18,000 by obtaining a commercial loan from New Albin Savings Bank.
People Service Representative Heath Draeger resubmitted an estimate of approximately $5,180 from Visu-Sewer for rehabilitation of three manholes. After discussion, the Council approved the request.
Police Chief Ed Stahl and Officer Conrad Rosendahl addressed the Council regarding the police coverage contract with New Albin. The Council agreed that the current contract amount of $49,600 was too low and was costing the City of Lansing about $15,000 a year. The officers suggested the amount be adjusted to $59,200 annually and ask New Albin to set aside $1,500 a year for the future purchase of a police vehicle. The Council approved the proposal, which will now be submitted to the City of New Albin.
The Council discussed the condition of dock one at the City Marina. The power is currently out at the dock because high water has caused an electrical shortage. Cost of the repairs will amount to $5,200. The Council agreed the wiring needs to be repaired and approved the expense.
The Council also discussed the replacement of the restroom doors at the Marina, an agenda item which was tabled from the last Council meeting. As no further bids for doors were received and because of the cost of repairing the wiring, the Council instructed the City crews to repair and paint the existing doors rather than purchasing new ones.
