Jefferson council moves forward with plans for water facility upgrades

By RICK MORAIN

Jefferson Herald

The Jefferson City Council at its regular meeting on Tuesday approved a $730,000 professional services agreement with Bolton and Menk, its consulting engineering firm, for the final design and bidding phase for major improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility on West Russell Street.

Bolton and Menk in December 2020 submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) a plan for the improvements. At that time the estimated cost for the project was about $10.2 million.
The DNR suggested additional consideration be given to some of the desired results from the project, so Bolton and Menk submitted amendments, the final one in November 2021. The DNR replied by phone that it would be giving final approval to the facility plan. As of yet ,that formal approval has not been received.

With the amendments, the additional equipment and construction changes, and also because of inflation, the total cost of the project has now grown to about $13.5 million. The $730,000 services agreement with Bolton and Menk is part of that total.

The improvements to the wastewater treatment plant are required as part of the state’s nutrient reduction strategy. “Point source” effluents, like those from city treatment plants, are obligated to meet definite state standards. “Non-point source” effluents, like runoff from farm fields and tiles, have no similar legal requirements; they fall under the state’s voluntary nutrient reduction strategy.

NOTABLE ITEMS     

• The council approved free single memberships at the city-owned Jefferson Community Golf Course for the city’s 28 volunteer firefighters. Single golf memberships are worth $360, with a reduction to $260 for those 35 and under.

• The council approved resolutions proposing the sale of three vacant lots for home construction. Two of them, at 206 South Maple and at 500 North Oak, would be bought by Thielen Construction of Bagley for $500 each. The third, at 507 South Locust, would be bought by Andy Rowland for $550.
Public hearings on the sales will be held at the May 10 regular council meeting. The purchase agreements require the construction of a spec home on each property, with construction to begin with 12 months of the purchase and to be completed with 24 months.

• The council passed a revision to the city’s sewer charge adjustment policy, to require a minimum amount of $100 in order to be considered for forgiveness.

• An engineering services agreement was approved with Bolton and Menk not to exceed $27,500 for the final design and bidding phase of improvements to the city hall’s front entrance. Bids for the project are to let in June, with construction to begin this fall.

• The council set the date of its regular May 24 meeting for amendments to the city’s current 2021-22 budget.

• Samantha Schmidt was hired as swimming pool manager at $15.75 per hour, Anna Pound as assistant swimming pool manager at $12.75 per hour, and Mickey Teed as a seasonal part-time public works general worker at $15 per hour.

• The council OK’d a sewer adjustment of $122.48 at property located at 203 South Cedar and a sewer adjustment of $49.92 at property located at 1412 Southfield Drive.

• Building inspector Chad Stevens told the council that improvements to the former AirTemp building on the east side of the square are expected to be completed by June.
Mayor Matt Gordon complimented the council and Stevens for wrapping up improvements to the downtown buildings that had been acquired by the city.

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161