City Council plans for 13th Street extension

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council moved forward with plans to extend 13th Street to Corporate Drive, creating a connecting road in anticipation for future housing development.

The council approved an easement with the Charles City Area Development Corp. for land to extend the road and approved preliminary plans for the extension project itself.

The Charles City Council also set bulk water rates and approved preliminary plans for summer infrastructure projects during its regular meeting on Monday, May 6.

The council also met with Jessica Gintz, representing the Charles City Rotary Club, about plans for this year’s Santa’s Shining Lights show. Though loath to talk about winter in May, the council went over the street closure request for around Central Park to accommodate set-up for the light show, planned for Friday, Nov. 15.

“It’s always a great event downtown,” said council member Patrick Lumley.

In other business, the council approved the second reading of an ordinance that would establish new rules and procedures to mandate and regulate backflow prevention devices in businesses where there is a risk of contamination of the city water supply.

The council also held the second reading, and waved the third, of an ordinance that sets the water rates for the bulk water station. The new rate eliminates the current base charge for meter connection and sets the fee at $14 per 1,000 gallons.

A public hearing date was set for May 20 to amend the FY24 budget, a regular part of city budgeting to adjust revenues and expenses as things change throughout the year.

On the subject of revenues, the council approved a three-year lease agreement with Terry Wegner for the latter to rent about eight acres of land near the city’s Water Resource Recovery Facility. Wegner has rented the land for many years for farming corn and beans, but is now looking at utilizing it for hay.

Finally, the council approved the preliminary plans for the 5th Avenue Water Main Extension, which will connect two water lines on the east side of the city with an 8” carrier pipe running under the railroad track near 5th Avenue.

“This will greatly improve the service to that part of town,” said Engineer-in-Training Brian Sullivan.

Bidding for the project is scheduled for May 29 and the project is expected to be complete by the end of October.

The council meeting had begun with three proclamations for Mayor Dean Andrews to read.

Mary Mooberry represented the Legion Auxiliary Unit #174 for a proclamation for Poppy Day, set for Friday, May 24, recognizing the significance of the red poppy as a symbol of those who have died in combat.

Christopher Anthony, chair of the Charles City Historic Preservation Commission, represented the commission for a proclamation to declare May as National Historic Preservation Month. Anthony also updated the council on the commission’s latest activities, from increasing its online visibility, creating a series of historic image puzzles as a fundraiser and preparing for the upcoming HeritageFest.

Anthony also noted sadness over the passing of long-time commission member and former Floyd County Museum Director Mary Ann Townsend.

Finally, Andrews read a proclamation to recognize the week of May 5-11 as Municipal Clerk Week, honoring one of the oldest offices of public service.

“If I can have the whole week off too, that would be great,” joked City Clerk Trudy O’Donnell

“But we can’t celebrate it without you,” replied City Administrator Steve Diers.