Charles City getting ready to apply for $20 million in federal grant money for major projects

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council reviewed plans for a “game changing” grant application during its workshop meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

City Administrator Steve Diers presented a draft of the budget for the EPA Community Change Grant that the city will be applying for.

“It’s a sizable grant,” said Diers.

Over the last several weeks Diers has been collaborating with Mayor Dean Andrews, council member Phoebe Pittman, tourism director Ginger Williams, and CCADC CEO Tim Fox to come up with a proposal for $20 million in “community changing projects.”

The city’s proposal features 25 projects ranging from $50,000 to $5 million that, if awarded, would allow for, among other things, renovations to the Cedar River whitewater course, new HVAC systems for the library and city hall, solar panel installations for city buildings, a bike trail expansion, a riverfront splash pad, and even a plan to provide qualifying homeowners with energy efficient appliances.

“It’s a game changer when we really need a game changer,” said council member Patrick Lumley.

While the city is making its wish list for community changing projects, it will also be working on updating more modest and immediate goals.

The council will be meeting with Elizabeth Hansen of Midwest Municipal Consulting for its next goal setting session to go over the city’s Community Improvement Plan, examining what has been done, what still needs to be done, and what priorities may have changed in the last two years.

On the other side of the grant process, the council received a Façade Grant application from Ryan Boehmer, who has plans to renovate the second story of his building at 417 North Main Street into an apartment.

Estimating a $23,000 project, Boehmer is asking for the maximum amount of $10,000 for the grant. Community Development Director Mark Wicks told the council that the grant fund has been largely untouched this year and this project would be a good match for it.

“It’s tailor made,” said Wicks. “The point of it is to get more people downtown.”

In other business, the council received an update on the Million Gallon Clearwell Project from SEH Engineering’s Rustin Lingbeek.

“We’re close. Very close,” said Lingbeek.

Contracted to reach substantial completion by May 10, the project is now more than 100 days overdue, resulting in a delicate balance between the city paying what is owed and continuing working toward completion of the project while also preparing for a discussion about liquidated damages.

Calculating in the most recent change order, $6,618 for material testing, the contractor has completed $4,370,403 worth of work on the project. The city has paid $3,920,686.25 thus far. After subtracting $218,520.15 for the retainer and $52,500 for liquidated damages, Lingbeek is recommending the city authorize a payment of $178,696.60 for work that has been completed.

While the city is working on wrapping up current projects, it will also be updating its list of goals for the future.