City moves on three major projects
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At their regular meeting Monday, April 6, the Mount Ayr city council voted to move forward with three major projects.
Cleveland, Garfield streets
The council approved bids for completion of two street improvement projects.
Feldhacker Construction of Creston presented the low bid of $1,447,268.50 for the paving Cleveland Street from Highway 2 south to 240th Street.
The council received one other bid of $1,774,031.20 QDuring the public hearing prior to the council’s taking action on the Cleveland Street project, local contractor Kelly Main voiced his opposition to the project in its current configuration. He said the project should include curb and gutter rather than the two-foot rock shoulder currently planned.
Austin Smith, project manager from Garden and Associates, replied curb and gutter installation is generally reserved for streets with existing residences. He added the project’s current specifications are in line with those for typical rural highways. Smith estimated adding curb and gutter would increase the project cost by another $500,000.
The council also approved the bid from Feldhacker Construction on improvements on Garfield Street from Adams Street south to Monroe Street.
The bid was $313,185.70.
A second bid of $534,229.75 was received from Iowa Civil Contractors.
The Garfield project will straighten and pave two blocks of the street along with the installation of a sidewalk on the west side of the street.
House moving
Bids for cost associated with moving and repositioning a house were also approved at Monday’s meeting.
The house in question has been donated to the city by Ron Conley contingent upon the city moving the house off his property at 1200 East Columbus Street.
The plan is to move the house and reset it on a new foundation on a vacant lot at 306 West Monroe street, reset the house, and sell it at a profit.
The lot was also donated by Ted Smith at no cost to the city.
City superintendent Brent Wise has stated the goal for the project is to generate funds to be used as an incentive to spur new housing starts and expand the tax base.
The council approved the low bids for various portions of the project:
• Separation of house from existing garage and repair of any damage – Matt Henle – $13,000.
• Moving the house – Ryan Baltensperger – $15,250.
• Site preparation – Schaefer Excavating – $5,775.
• Foundation and concrete – Jim Hymbaugh Construction – $12,344.
• HVAC and plumbing installation – Ricker Plumbing and Heating – $6,490. (Councilman Brent Ricker abstained from voting on the project.)
Together with miscellaneous associated expenses, the total cost to complete the project was estimated at $55,000.
Superintendent Wise presented a letter from local real estate professional Ted Smith in which he estimated the market value of the repositioned property in the $73,000 to $78,000 range, thus resulting in a potential profit of nearly $20,000.
The council authorized mayor Steve Fetty to sign contracts with the various contractors so the project can get underway as soon as possible.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• approved a change order in the water distribution system improvement project.
The change order extends the deadline to May14 for Jordan and Sons Construction to complete their work on the west side of town.
The change order is revenue neutral to both the city and the contractors.
• approved a tax abatement to Gregory and Diane Drake for a $20,000 addition to their garage.
• approved a liquor license renewal for Lefty’s Club Tavern.
• learned that reseeding of lawns disrupted by the water project should commence June 1.
