Approval of a two-stage, possible three-year program will bring more fun to the Kalona City Park. Monday, the council okayed a plan that will add $7,318 worth of new playground equipment to the park this spring, with another $9,000 worth to be installed by 2001.

The equipment, which comes with a $2 million liability insurance package, will replace the old tornado slide and update aging playground equipment, noted City Administrator Doug Morgan.

The move was earlier approved by the city’s Park Board who noted that the park has some $5,000 in memorial funds and other money. The city will cover the difference between the $5,000 base and the price of the equipment.

In addition, the equipment, from Gametime, comes with a ten-year warranty on its bolt system.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Todd Fitzsenry explained that the plan will see new equipment in the area near the old slide and extending toward the basketball court. He stressed that there is “plenty of room” for new equipment, and that the items can be extended and added to easily.

Sign

Morgan told the council that the Kalona sign at the intersection of Highway 1 and 22 suffered wind damage this summer, and that close inspection indicated that the entire lighting and electrical system should be replaced.

The sign was provided by the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce, but the city has generally taken care of the lighting.

Calling the sign a “gift to the city,” Councilman Jerry Kauffman moved that the city pay the $375 for the new fixtures, electric box and related items. It was approved unanimously.

The council also discussed obtaining a generator for the water plant, debating if manual or fully automatic controls were preferable. Members agreed that manual, which is cheaper to install, would be better, and if necessary could be modified later to fully automatic. Manual controls for a generator are approximately $4,900 and automatic would be nearer $9,000.

The discussion also dealt with the need to increase water pressure to the north part of Kalona, something that Morgan said probably will involve a second water tower for the city.

In fact, he asked the council to start “thinking about planning for one within a few years.”

The council asked Morgan to investigate not only the costs of buying a generator, but also those involved with obtaining one at the time of an emergency.

The council then approved going ahead with installing connections for manual controls for a generator at the water plant.

They also approved permanent use of chemical treatments that appear to have relieved the rusty water problem for the city.