RIVERSIDE

A steering committee has been formed to explore the possibility of a community center that would be built near Highland Elementary School in Riverside.

Talk of a community center has surfaced multiple times in recent years, but the potential has clearly grown in the last few months. Riverside City Council members visited the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center in Mount Vernon last fall and also hosted a presentation by OPN Architects of Iowa City.

The potential cost for building a community center is at least $7 million. Additional options would increase the estimated cost. No financial details are set, pending approved designs, but the community center is likely to be financed through grants and a bond referendum.

The steering committee consists of eight community members, plus City Council members Ryan Rogerson and Lois Schneider. Committee members are Kylee Sutton, Linsey Gerot, Matt Young, Joni Frank Brown, Mary Beth Rozmus, Christine Gust, Kris Westfall and Tina Thomann.

The committee will likely meet monthly.

A public meeting will be held once design options are completed.

Pickleball Courts

A public hearing has been scheduled for February 3 at 6 p.m. in anticipation of upcoming work on three pickleball courts to be constructed at Hall Park.

A bid letting will also be set.

The pickleball courts have been designed by Axiom Consultants of Iowa City, and will be installed on the north side of Hall Park. The design documents are on the city’s website, agenda packet, at riversideiowa.gov.

The same night, a public hearing will be held for the planned Cherry Street Extension project near Highland Elementary. Work is expected to be done over the summer, after the completion of the 2024-25 school year.

PeopleService Contract

The city is moving into the final year of a contract with PeopleService, which maintains and services Riverside’s water systems.

The rate for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins in July, is going up 3.7 percent, or to $384,222 for a full year, including services and chemicals.

PeopleService has come under criticism at various times during Council meetings, and City Council member Kevin Kiene questioned the licensure of PeopleService workers during the Council’s Tuesday meeting, Jan. 21.

“I’m wondering if we’re properly licensed,” Kiene said. “I think we’re paying for something we’re not getting.”

Cole Smith, City Administator, was instructed by the Council to review the contract with the city’s attorney to see if it is in compliance.

“Just information we need to know,” Kiene said.

Building Inspections

Axiom Consultants of Iowa City, which is contracted as city engineer, will act as the interim building inspector while the cities of Riverside and Kalona search for a new shared inspector.

David Tornow, who had been building inspector, passed away Dec 31.

Council Action

The Council approved a contract amendment with Axiom Consultants of Iowa City, at a maximum cost of $10,000, for project management services with the CDBG Downtown Revitalization project.

The Council approved a proposal of $7,946 from JC Cross Co. of Davenport for a blower replacement at the wastewater treatment plant.

The Council approved a pay request of $14,800 to WRH Inc. for work completed on the UV Disinfection System replacement project at the wastewater treatment plant.

The Council approved 2025 seal coating rates from LL Pelling of North Liberty.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. February 3.