Council approves paving project bid, holds off on wayfinding signs

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council approved a bid to complete the HMA Paving Project at its regular meeting on Monday.

A bid of $200,574 was won by Heartland Asphalt, of Mason City, to pave Stony Point Road, Bunn Avenue, Second Street (west of Iowa Street), South Jackson Street (between Court Street and the Cedar River). These are low-volume residential streets that have completely deteriorated, according to city notes. The cost of construction can be covered by the local option sales tax.

The Wayfinding Project, which deals with installing signs around town, was asked to remain open and to be discussed at a later date. Only one bid was received at the June 14 letting. Some of the sign prices were higher than expected and other prices were deemed reasonable.

There have been a number of growing complaints about semi-tractors and trailers parking in residential areas in town. A proposed ordinance would prohibit parking by semi-trucks, trailers or motor trucks on residential streets unless they are unloading something or making a delivery.  A date was set for a public hearing of July 2 on that ordinance.

• Resolution 93-18 was approved, concerning a building permit requested by the Floyd County Firefighters Association to build a fire training facility. The Planning and Zoning Commission also recommended this approval.

• The purchase of a new street sweeper was approved at a cost of $198,229 after trade-in with the current one. That purchase would come out of the Road Use Tax.

• The council voted to vacate a portion of Grove Street west of Illinois Street and the city approved to purchase the conveyance of property for $400 of an irregular shaped parcel located at 401 Charles Street.

• A hearing date was also set on July 2 to determine vacation and acceptance of the water main easements on the Bailey Nursery property.

• A contract to continue the city’s transit system has not been reached. That contract runs out at the end of this month.

• Dennis White addressed the council during the public comments part of the meeting and urged members to schedule a workshop to discuss saving the Milwaukee Road Rail Depot. No action was taken as it was not an agenda item.