The Charley Western Bridge is closer to demolition

 By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

The Charley Western Bridge is a step closer to being demolished since its partial collapse in April 2017.

The Charles City Council approved a temporary construction easement for the Charley Western Trail Bridge demolition project for better access to the northwest corner of the bridge.

The easement will be written for the demolition and eventual construction, said Charles City Engineer John Fallis.

Utility line insurance

The city voted to not partner with Utility Service Partner’s National Service Line Program or allow the use of Charles City’s logo or letterhead for the program at this time.

The program offered by the Utility Service Partners would offer to insure privately owned water and sewer service lines against failure, including freezing.

The program was seeking the endorsement to use the city logo and letterhead when sending out mailers to residents of Charles City.

The major concern the city has is the marketing of the program.

It blurs the line between if this is a city program or private program, said Charles City Administrator Steven Diers.

None of the cities that have used the program have had a problem with the program, but they weren’t comfortable with use of their logo and letterhead, Diers said.

The coverage the program offers is available for residents through other insurance providers.

Bargaining contracts

The city approved a collective bargaining agreement between the Teamsters Local Union 238 representing the Charles City Police, public works, fire and city of Charles City workers.

Each organization saw a raise in its respective pay. All of the contracts except for police saw a change in wages by 2.5 percent for fiscal year 2019, 2.75 percent by fiscal year 2020, and 3 percent for fiscal 2021.

The police department will see 1 percent increase in fiscal 2019, 2.75 percent increase in 2019, and 3 percent increase in 2021.

“We did add an additional step for the police department,” Diers said. Each year police officers move a step in pay.

“We added a year six, so anybody that’s had six years (of experience) sees an additional bump (in pay),” Diers said. The steps increases an officer’s pay by 3.6 percent.

The council went into closed session for a strategy meeting concerning negotiations.

Other action

• The council also voted for a new set of goals for the council to consider during 2018.

The new goals include the Charley Western Trail project, fiber to the home project and chronic nuisance policy follow up.

• Jeff Otto was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board to replace Bob Kloberdanz, and the council reappointed Dennis Petersen to the board.

Kloberdanz has been a member of the board for 16 years.

Brad McKenzie is resigning his position on the Broadband Commission. Sarah Downing will take his spot temporarily, before resigning her position after moving to a new residence. Downing’s position will be replaced by Brandy Mutch.

• Mayor Dean Andrews will replace Jame Erb, the previous mayor, on the Charles City Area Development Corporation Board.

• The next meeting of the council will be on Thursday, Jan. 18. It will be a budget meeting. The next planning session will be 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in the City Council Chambers.