Wellman council approves WCRF grant, $4,600 vandalism repair costs

By John Butters
Posted 1/18/22

City Council members approved a resolution allowing City Manager Kelly Litwiller to apply for an annual grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation at Monday’s meeting.

Litwiller …

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Wellman council approves WCRF grant, $4,600 vandalism repair costs

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City Council members approved a resolution allowing City Manager Kelly Litwiller to apply for an annual grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation at Monday’s meeting.

Litwiller said the grants are available to all Washington County communities and that Wellman’s share would likely total $125,000. The donation is intended for community betterment projects. Litwiller suggested the money could be allocated to improvements to the South Park campground and upgrades to Wellman’s downtown district this year.

No commitments have been made and the council will continue to discuss potential uses for the grant.

In other business, council members accepted a bid of $4,600 to repair vandalism to the restrooms at North Park. No suspects have been identified but Randy Tinnes of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department said preliminary investigations have indicated that the damage was done by out-of-town visitors. The inquiry is ongoing.

Council members approved a bid by Calhoun-Burns and Associates for a state-required inspection of the bridge crossing Smith Creek on 9th Avenue, also known as County Road Ginkgo Avenue.

Though the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has plans to replace the bridge within the next few years, Litwiller said the city must conduct an inspection as previously scheduled.

The estimated cost of the IDOT bridge replacement project is $1.4 to $1.5 million, with the city responsible for engineering and design costs. The state will pay up to $1 million of the construction costs and retains the right of final approval of both the design and engineering proposals. Litwiller has said the project is likely two to three years away.

Council members re-approved a liquor license for the Dollar General store.