An elaborate construction project scheduled for Third Street and other intersecting roads in Riverside could begin in early spring 2022.

Plans and designs are progressing so rapidly that the Riverside City Council decided at its regular meeting Monday night to schedule a walk-through work session with Brian Boelk, a civil engineer and owner of Axiom Consultants, Thursday afternoon.

The projected cost of the project will be about $3 million, depending on various options that are approved by the city council and construction bidding. Council members discussed at Monday’s meeting whether the project would be done over one year or split in two phases over two years.

“If we’re trying to do this in one phase, one year, is that possible?” asked Council Person Edgar McGuire.

Boelk said it would be tight, but the project might be able to be completed in one year, depending on weather delays.

Bidding for the project, Boelk said, could begin in late January or February with construction beginning in April, depending on weather conditions and the council’s approval of contractors.

The project will result in new water mains, roads and sidewalks.

A number of trees may have to be cut down along city right of ways, and one plan has Second Street being cut off where it meets Rose Street near Highway 22 in an intersection that council members agree is dangerous. Construction may temporarily shut down streets or portions of streets.

“Cutting trees out of your small town that you don’t have to, I’m not for that,” said Council Person Kevin Mills.

But that’s what Thursday’s walk-through meeting will help determine. Axiom Consultants, based in Iowa City, has designed a number of specific plans involving not only Third Street, but also Rose, Greene and Washburn. Boelk will lead the group through that neighborhood to physically show the projected plans and discuss traffic issues.

In addition to the Third Street project, the city is also in the midst of an improvement project at Railroad Park. Boelk informed the council of three bids, which were received and opened December 15. All American Concrete of West Liberty, the low bidder, was awarded a contract of $525,641 by the council.

The council also approved:

• Trash collection fees of $17,50 per month for 35 gallons and $19.50 per month for 65 gallons.

• A resolution waiving the review of the Bekker Acres Subdivision, which is located within the two-mile radius area of Riverside but is in Johnson County. Plans will be approved or denied by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

• Pursuing a plat review to determine the ownership of whether a private drive is located on private property or a city right of way near Court Street. A tree that needs removal is located on the property west of East Street.

• Pursuing a FEMA grant funding to provide a monitor for EMS.

• Setting a minimum bid of $4,500 for a 1998 Chevy Suburban the city is selling.

The council also set a public hearing date of January 4 for the proposed sale of city property on Cherry Lane to Bailee and Morgan Samson of Riverside for $40,000.

After much discussion, the council denied a request by the Riverside Fire Department for the purchase of an ice machine. The ice was intended to be used during training sessions and for emergency situations. Bids for the machine had ranged from $3,854 to $5,173.

“If we’re at the moment, where we need an ice machine and you don’t have one, what do you do?” McGuire said.

Other council members did not view the purchase as something essential for the department.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will be January 4 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.