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Montrose City Council tables waste authority fee request, increases water, garbage rates
By Diane Vance /Gate City Staff Writer
MONTROSE - The Montrose City Council again tabled the issue of paying the Great River Regional Waste Authority a $1-per-household monthly integrated waste services fee at its May 1 meeting.
In March, the council and public discussed the fee at length with several residents questioning the authority of GRRWA to impose the fee.
On May 1, former Mayor Ron Dinwiddie said he went to the Internet to re-read the 28E agreement GRRWA made in 1993 with cities.
“It needs updating,” he said. “I don't know if the agreement is still valid. Go on the Internet and read it for yourselves.”
The council approved raising monthly residential garbage rates from $5.61 to $7 on a two-year contract with Kohlmorgan Hauling and an increase in the city's monthly water fee from $15.30 to $24.17, up $8.87 per month.
Council member Mary VanPelt, chair of the city council's Economic and Community Development Committee, has studied parking issues around town. She provided council members with copies of proposals to add and eliminate parking spaces at various locations.
Mayor Greg Ruth asked council members to review the proposal, drive around town to see the sites and act on the proposal next month.
VanPelt also said the harbor park needs new shrubs and areas around the old school need grading. She asked if there is money in the parks' funds to take care of those items. Ruth said he will look into it. The Mississippi River flooded the harbor park and cleanup will be necessary when the water recedes.
Ruth said the city park at Ivor Fowler Community Center (site of the annual Watermelon Festival) “just kind of happened over the years without a specific plan.
“Fifteen years ago I thought Montrose should re-think that park,” said Ruth. “Re-think the overall layout. The back area has very little access. In the short term we could do something about additional parking.”
Council member David Hawk said the city has no comprehensive plan.
“We need one to apply for grants,” said Hawk.
Ruth said he will check with the planning commission.
VanPelt asked if Montrose has a written city crisis plan.
Interim Police Chief Karl Judd said he's talked with Steve Cirinna, Lee County Emergency Management coordinator.
“After the evacuation of our nursing home, I asked Steve about it,” said Judd. “We need a crisis management plan.”
In other business:
The council approved bids to remove trees and tree stumps around town.
Mary Sue Chatfield updated the council about Montrose Riverfront Inc. activities.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, the traditional pancake breakfast is from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Joppa Lodge building, First and Cedar streets.
St. Barnabas Memorial Day Concerts will be performed at 9 and 11 a.m. at St. Barnabas Chapel, Third and Chestnut streets in Montrose.
Lunch will be available at the Hunold Heritage Center on the riverfront from noon to 2 p.m.
A procession will move from the Hunold Heritage Center to Montrose Cemetery for a 2 p.m. dedication of a plaque in memory of Cato Mead, a free person of color and American Revolutionary War veteran buried there.
Members of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in period uniform are scheduled to attend.
Ruth encouraged residents to attend and to look at the recently cleaned cannon in the cemetery.
“That cannon is one of our prizes,” he said. “City employees and volunteers have done a good job cleaning it up.”
The city council next meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at City Hall.
In March, the council and public discussed the fee at length with several residents questioning the authority of GRRWA to impose the fee.
On May 1, former Mayor Ron Dinwiddie said he went to the Internet to re-read the 28E agreement GRRWA made in 1993 with cities.
“It needs updating,” he said. “I don't know if the agreement is still valid. Go on the Internet and read it for yourselves.”
The council approved raising monthly residential garbage rates from $5.61 to $7 on a two-year contract with Kohlmorgan Hauling and an increase in the city's monthly water fee from $15.30 to $24.17, up $8.87 per month.
Council member Mary VanPelt, chair of the city council's Economic and Community Development Committee, has studied parking issues around town. She provided council members with copies of proposals to add and eliminate parking spaces at various locations.
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VanPelt also said the harbor park needs new shrubs and areas around the old school need grading. She asked if there is money in the parks' funds to take care of those items. Ruth said he will look into it. The Mississippi River flooded the harbor park and cleanup will be necessary when the water recedes.
Ruth said the city park at Ivor Fowler Community Center (site of the annual Watermelon Festival) “just kind of happened over the years without a specific plan.
“Fifteen years ago I thought Montrose should re-think that park,” said Ruth. “Re-think the overall layout. The back area has very little access. In the short term we could do something about additional parking.”
Council member David Hawk said the city has no comprehensive plan.
“We need one to apply for grants,” said Hawk.
Ruth said he will check with the planning commission.
VanPelt asked if Montrose has a written city crisis plan.
Interim Police Chief Karl Judd said he's talked with Steve Cirinna, Lee County Emergency Management coordinator.
“After the evacuation of our nursing home, I asked Steve about it,” said Judd. “We need a crisis management plan.”
In other business:
The council approved bids to remove trees and tree stumps around town.
Mary Sue Chatfield updated the council about Montrose Riverfront Inc. activities.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, the traditional pancake breakfast is from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Joppa Lodge building, First and Cedar streets.
St. Barnabas Memorial Day Concerts will be performed at 9 and 11 a.m. at St. Barnabas Chapel, Third and Chestnut streets in Montrose.
Lunch will be available at the Hunold Heritage Center on the riverfront from noon to 2 p.m.
A procession will move from the Hunold Heritage Center to Montrose Cemetery for a 2 p.m. dedication of a plaque in memory of Cato Mead, a free person of color and American Revolutionary War veteran buried there.
Members of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in period uniform are scheduled to attend.
Ruth encouraged residents to attend and to look at the recently cleaned cannon in the cemetery.
“That cannon is one of our prizes,” he said. “City employees and volunteers have done a good job cleaning it up.”
The city council next meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at City Hall.
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