The Jefferson city council approved moving ahead with one project but delayed a second project at its regular meeting July 12.
The council awarded the bid for a water main replacement project on W. Russell St from Elm St to the wastewater treatment plant to Morris Enterprises Inc of Clutier. Morris’s low bid was $395,763, which was 16 percent below the engineer’s final estimate for the project.
The council also approved delaying the improvement of the city hall front entrance at the recommendation of city engineer, Jim Leiding. Only one bid was received for the work, a bid of $139,997 from Woodruff Construction of Ames. The bid was 61 percent more than the engineer’s final estimate of $87,004.
The project will be let for bids again early in 2023 with the completion date for the project in late summer. “Hopefully people will have more interest in it,” Leiding said. Woodruff does general construction; no bids were received from companies that do flat work (concrete) or landscaping, Leiding told the council. He hopes that rebidding the project will get bids from those businesses.
The council approved purchase of property at 205-207 E. Perry St, just north of the railroad tracks. The city will raze a dilapidated house on one of the lots; the other lot is vacant. The city will pay George Crouch $5,000 for the property. The city will also pay Crouch $600 for a van on the property.
City zoning officer Chad Stevens told the council the circumstances of how the house was abandoned and that it is not fit for habitation.
The purchase and demo of the building will be covered by a donation the city previously received for neighborhood clean-up.
Stevens said although the property is zoned residential, with its proximity to the railroad tracks he doesn’t think the lot would be suitable for that use. It could possibly used for a light industrial purpose.
Council member Dave Sloan voted against the motion to purchase the property. He said following the meeting he’s not comfortable with the city owning property for which there is no clear end purpose.
The council approved an agreement for financial services with Piper Sandler & Co for the bond sale needed for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade. The city will pay Piper 0.3 percent of the total bond sale with a minimum of $12,500, plus expenses. Piper’s fees will be rolled into the bond sale, city administrator Mike Palmer said.
The council approved a Duplication of Benefits Certification program, a new requirement of Community Development Block Grant-funded projects, for Pub Adventures LLC. Construction on the first phase of the project, rehabilitation of upper-story apartments at the former Ace Hardware store, will begin as soon as work is completed on the upper story apartments at 200 E. State St. (The same contractor is doing both jobs.)
Work on the restaurant planned for the first floor will begin once the apartments are finished.
In other downtown business, the council approved a grant of $23,989.50 for façade rehabilitation of Breadeaux Pizza at 109 E. Lincoln Way. The front glass was damaged during the derecho last December and needs to be repaired. The project will restore the façade to a more historic look in keeping with Main Street Iowa plans. The grant is a 50/50 match.
The council approved the second reading of an amendment to the animal control ordinance that would call for microchipping dogs impounded under the vicious animals regulations, as well as the second reading of an amendment allowing the fire department to charge fees for services when response to a fire or other emergency creates large expense for the department.
Stevens updated the council on the animal shelter. The new soil testing showed the native soil at the site is usable but there is a problem with structural fill there. He said helical piers will be put 50 ft into the ground to support the structure. That work is planned for this week. Jensen Builders will then level and cap the foundation that was poured late last year and re-compact the soil. Jensen will also add rebar into the building’s concrete floor.
Substantial completion is still expected in September.
Council member Pat Zmolek asked Stevens about his confidence in the plan for dealing with the foundation issues. “I leave that up the engineers,” Stevens said. “They’re putting their stamp on what they’ve drawn up, that it will be structurally sound and not cause any problems. I know Jensen doesn’t want to have any issues with it down the road. They want to deliver a good product.”
