Council reviews CDBG award
Grant to aid Stratford downtown revitalizationBy BILLIE SHELTON Daily Freeman-Journal Correspondent
STRATFORD - The Stratford City Council tackled several items of business dealing with the Community Development Block Grant that the community has been awarded.
The grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development for downtown revitalization is in the amount of $383,602.
The council officially accepted the grant and authorized the mayor to sign the contract from IDED. The council also authorized the mayor to sign a contract with MIDAS for general administration of the grant.
A request for proposals for design services for the downtown revitalization award will be sent out, according to city officials.
The council members considered the second reading of an ordinance that grants a non-exclusive franchise to Complete Communication Services, of Stratford. After a lengthy discussion between the council and Randy Baker of CCS regarding several issues, the motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance was rescinded.
The council accepted the terms of forgiving the overcharges of $42,348.41 and under billing of $166,020.88 due to the billing inaccuracies as expressed in a letter from Midland Cooperative. The letter stressed that the inaccuracies only affected what was charged to the city of Stratford and did not affect the billings received by the citizens of Stratford.
Also, the council approved an agreement proposal from William Y. Leung to provide services to assist the town in reviewing the existing power supply and billing arrangements and exploring potential changes in the power supply agreement with Midland Power Cooperative.
In property matters, the water tower inspection report from Maguire Iron was reviewed. The tower interior lining was found to be in good condition, with no repair required. The council discussed budgeting for exterior painting of the tower, as the company recommends in two to three years.
Maintenance issues at the municipal pool were also reviewed by the council. Pool filtration renovations of $35,579.72 from ACCO were approved, along with pool painting for $9,294, pump house renovations for $1,450 plus two doors and roofing materials, and a $4,000 upgrade of the pump house electrical system.
The council also discussed the current farm lease for city property by the wastewater lagoon site. City manager Rachel Cahill was directed to confer with the city lawyer regarding the agreement and to send a letter notifying the current tenant of the lease expiration date.
Also approved was an invoice from MER Engineering for $12,036.95 for the municipal storm water study requested by the council following the 2008 flooding. Recommendations from the engineering firm are cost prohibitive at this time.
In other business, the council voted to withdraw at the end of phase two of the IamWind Ridgeport Wind Project and to encourage the IamWind board pursuit of the sale of the Ridgeport wind project assets.
Contact Billie Shelton at editor@freemanjournal.net or call 832-4350.
