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Montrose will get new water service this year or next
By Diane Vance/MVM NEWS NETWORK
MONTROSE - City officials in Montrose approved a contract with Rathbun Regional Water Association, Inc. in August 2007 to install water service to residents and businesses. Private and city wells will be closed and not connected with the new water lines.
The concept has been discussed for several years. The city first tackled a sewer project before turning its attention to water.
The city initially agreed to a 15-year contract with Rathbun. The $700,000-plus project includes laying a new pipe to the Montrose water tower, hooking onto Rathbun water and starting Phase I of water main replacements.
Construction, laying pipes and digging meter pits was expected to begin this spring, depending on weather.
A state requirement for an archeological survey of downtown where roads will be dug to replace water lines has slowed the project.
In fall 2007, Montrose approved a low bid of $4,400 from the State Office of Archeology, Iowa City, to survey the construction site, rejecting the $9,000 bid from Wapsi Valley Archeology of Anamosa.
Within a month, the state decided Montrose has more historical significance than previously realized. It proposed digging 570 test holes, using a crew of three to four workers over a period of three to four weeks, increasing the archeological survey cost to $23,325.
Wapsi Valley Archeology submitted an updated bid of $10,432 for the increased scope of the survey, which the city approved. Weather has delayed the start of digging test holes for the survey.
“We hope to get the survey going within 30 days,” said Mayor Greg Ruth. “Actual construction could be delayed this year.”
Once the archeological survey is complete, it takes 12 to 14 weeks for the results to go through the State Historical Preservation Office. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the findings.
Dave Fredericks and Melanie Carson of French-Reneker-Associates Inc., architects for the project, told the city council in January the survey delay has put the water project behind schedule. It may be spring or summer 2009 before Phase I is complete.
Another possible delay results from the city not knowing the exact location of an existing water line in Bluff Park. The city plans to meet with the Bluff Park residents who will be affected by exploratory excavation to find the water line after legal concerns are sorted out. Some residents will need to provide easements to the city for construction.
When the archeological survey results are known and easements given for Bluff Park, the city can advertise for bids on construction the water project.
At the regular April 3 city council meeting, the council is expected to approve the sale of bonds to help the city contribute its share of the project $506,000. That cost can be funded by borrowing, the sale of bonds, increasing property taxes or higher water rates. Montrose received a $300,000 federal Community Development Block Grant administered through the state and Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission for the project.
The council's Enterprise Committee recommended raising monthly water rates by $8.78 to a total of $24.17. The city council has not yet approved the recommendation.
According to City Clerk Celeste Cirinna, it would be the first water rate increase in two years.
The concept has been discussed for several years. The city first tackled a sewer project before turning its attention to water.
The city initially agreed to a 15-year contract with Rathbun. The $700,000-plus project includes laying a new pipe to the Montrose water tower, hooking onto Rathbun water and starting Phase I of water main replacements.
Construction, laying pipes and digging meter pits was expected to begin this spring, depending on weather.
A state requirement for an archeological survey of downtown where roads will be dug to replace water lines has slowed the project.
In fall 2007, Montrose approved a low bid of $4,400 from the State Office of Archeology, Iowa City, to survey the construction site, rejecting the $9,000 bid from Wapsi Valley Archeology of Anamosa.
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Wapsi Valley Archeology submitted an updated bid of $10,432 for the increased scope of the survey, which the city approved. Weather has delayed the start of digging test holes for the survey.
“We hope to get the survey going within 30 days,” said Mayor Greg Ruth. “Actual construction could be delayed this year.”
Once the archeological survey is complete, it takes 12 to 14 weeks for the results to go through the State Historical Preservation Office. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the findings.
Dave Fredericks and Melanie Carson of French-Reneker-Associates Inc., architects for the project, told the city council in January the survey delay has put the water project behind schedule. It may be spring or summer 2009 before Phase I is complete.
Another possible delay results from the city not knowing the exact location of an existing water line in Bluff Park. The city plans to meet with the Bluff Park residents who will be affected by exploratory excavation to find the water line after legal concerns are sorted out. Some residents will need to provide easements to the city for construction.
When the archeological survey results are known and easements given for Bluff Park, the city can advertise for bids on construction the water project.
At the regular April 3 city council meeting, the council is expected to approve the sale of bonds to help the city contribute its share of the project $506,000. That cost can be funded by borrowing, the sale of bonds, increasing property taxes or higher water rates. Montrose received a $300,000 federal Community Development Block Grant administered through the state and Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission for the project.
The council's Enterprise Committee recommended raising monthly water rates by $8.78 to a total of $24.17. The city council has not yet approved the recommendation.
According to City Clerk Celeste Cirinna, it would be the first water rate increase in two years.
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