KALONA, IOWA
CITY HALL
March 12, 2024 7:00 PM
Work Session of the Kalona City Council with Mayor Robe presiding. Motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by G Schmidt, to approve the agenda, with all voting yes.
Council members present: J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim. Bender was absent.
Discussion of Iowa DNR wastewater facilities preliminary plan was held by council. Jack Pope, with Garden and Associates, the cities engineer, was present to share with council what he and the DNR have been working on to bring the Kalona wastewater facilities into compliance after the DNR changed their requirements. Mr. Pope shared that the DNR came out with new requirements for all wastewater facilities in Iowa, and the deadline for compliance is mid-year in 2027. Staff shared what the cites proprietary debt is currently at and covering. To meet the new DNR Requirements, city staff will have to investigate an SFR loan to cover the costs of the updates that have a preliminary cost of $4 million to $4.5 million. City staff will have to investigate with Mr. Pope grant opportunities and what sewer rates for residents would have to increase per state requirements that all proprietary loans must be supported by utility rates. Council directed staff to continue working with Mr. Pope to meet the new DNR requirements.
Discussion of facilities plan for water treatment plants, was held by council. Jack Pope, with Garden and Associates, the cities engineer, was present to share options for updates and answer council’s questions. Council directed Mr. Pope to explore multiple options for updates.
City staff updated council on city owned properties of Yoder Property and 209 5th Street.
A Request for Qualifications (RFP) is being created by city staff for the development at the Yoder Property. City staff will work on finalizing the RFP to have before council for final approval and then make it public for interested developers. The City and County are looking to work together on a bridge design for the connection of N Avenue and the new development. A letter of intent is being finalized for property at 209 5th Street, as the interested buyers seek grant opportunities. The final letter of intent will come before council for approval.
The meeting was adjourned.
SARAH CHMELAR, City Clerk
MARK ROBE, Mayor
Published in The News, Thursday, March 21, 2024 L-68
