At the normal Monday night meeting of the Minonk City Council, Public Works Chairman Keri Carls reported that Bob Kohlhase of the Farnsworth Group, engineers for the 2010 Storm Drainage Project, reviewed the project with the Public Works Committee on October 25. Results of the meeting indicated that the new storm sewer will serve the west side of town, starting at Fourth Street between Jefferson Street and Walnut Street, progressing north on Johnson Street to Mill Street, crossing east on Mill Street and private property to Walnut Street, then north on Walnut Street to Eighth Street, then east to Chestnut Street. The new storm sewer will connect to the existing 30 inch storm sewer at the intersection of Eighth Street and Chestnut Street. Branches off the main path include the half block on Seventh Street west of Johnson Street and the alley south of Eighth Street between Walnut Street and Chestnut Street.
Kohlhase reviewed size and location of the pipe, storm inlets and manholes; trees on public and private property that may have to be trimmed or removed; the advantages of installing the pipe in the parkway rather than in the paved street; and certain sidewalks that will be replaced as part of the project. He also noted that where the excavation crosses a driveway, the driveway will be restored to its pre-construction state. In the case of concrete drives, the concrete will be replaced to the nearest panel, seam or expansion joint. He also discussed easements the City will need to obtain from the owners of private property.
The bidding documents will be prepared such that certain portions of the project will be categorized as alternate bids. At the time of bid acceptance, the City will then decide whether or not to include the alternate bids as part of the project.
Tentative timeline for the project includes a public presentation of the plan at the November 15, 2010, City Council meeting, with Council authorization to seek bids scheduled for the December 6, 2010, council meeting.
After discussion, two changes were made to the plan presented by Mr. Kohlhase: route the pipe across private property instead of the street right of way on Fourth Street between Walnut Street and Elm Street; route the pipe in the west parkway on Johnson Street until it crosses the street to the east parkway to continue south to Fourth Street.
The Public Works Committee approved the storm sewer plan presented by Kohlhase, including the two changes discussed above and including a tree replacement program the details of which will be determined later.
At the city council meeting, City Administrator Doug Elder said it will probably be February before all bids are received. Elder also mentioned that the sewer project can be modified at any time although he recommended that the project not be modified after being submitted for bids as that will delay the project and cost more money.
Other Business
City Administrator Doug Elder said the work on the Waste Water Treatment plant has been completed by Town & Country Construction. Improvements included a new roof which has hurricane clips installed and extensive interior work consisting of new drywall.
Alderwoman Julie Redenius said Becky Fuchs, coordinator of the Pumpkin Patch Festival held at Sutton's Park in October, reported that $3300 was raised for the July 4th Committee. Also, the festival included 17 vendors and over 250 pumpkins were sold.