RIVERSIDE

Completion of an extensive renovation of Riverside’s wastewater treatment plant is expected to be done by the beginning of September, Blaine Dopier of Spectra Build told the Riverside City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting August 7.

A delay in the arrival of construction materials slowed the project, Dopier said. The installation of wall panels began Monday and work on the facility’s roof is completed, he said.

Work at the wastewater plant is just one portion of several water-related projects being done and planned in the city. Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical of Cedar Rapids was chosen as the contractor for a reconstruction project at the water treatment plant at a bid of $550,000. Final designs are being completed by Axiom Consultants of Iowa City and preconstruction meetings are underway.

The city is also undergoing a number of repairs and improvements in the water system itself, including at the city’s wells.

The Council approved a payment of $142.937 to Spectra Build, of Wapello, for work and costs associated with the wastewater plant project.

Bidding for Kirk

The Council agreed to open up the construction bidding process a second time for a planned ADA ramp at the James T. Kirk Birthplace monument located just south of City Hall on Greene Street.

The first bidding process resulted in just one response, from All American Concrete of West Liberty.

City Council members rejected the $35,422 bid in hopes of receiving more than one bid for the project.

A second round of bidding is expected to begin in late August with work to be done in October. If the bidding process comes up short again, council members agreed to do another round of bidding in December or January. In that case, work would be done in the spring.

Debbins Building

The Council set $4,000 as a minimum bid price on the sale of the Debbins building, which is located downtown at 40 W 1^st St. The building, which has 2,480 square feet, was donated to the city by Paul Debbins in December.

The bidding window is expected to be 30 days.

Hall Park Pickleball

The city is moving ahead with lining out four pickleball courts on the tennis court at Hall Park, and the temporary move could lead to a larger project with new fencing and other improvements.

Council members agreed that the pickleball idea would work well in a grant proposal to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. The fall application period for WCRF grants goes through September 19. The Foundation approved more than $1.6 million in grants last spring, including one for the baseball field at Mid-Prairie High School.

Council Actions

The Council approved a cost estimate of up to $17,800 with Martin Gardner Architects of Marion for designs associated with a downtown revitalization project.

The Council approved a $1,500 agreement with Mid Iowa Tools of Cedar Rapids for blower pac maintenance at the wastewater plant.

The Council approved an agreement of $21,802 with Haynes Equipment of Olathe, Kansas, for UV maintenance at the wastewater plant.

The Council tabled action on an inspection and treatment plan for two city wells, pending more information.

The Council tabled a review of a requested parcel split of property located north of the city. A plat request has been made to Washington County, but the city has the right of a review.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. August 21.