RIVERSIDE

The final stage of work on Riverside’s $3.4 million water and sewer main project on Third Street has resulted in a number of complaints from residents who live along the street.

The street has steep slopes on the north side of the road and some property owners have indicated an unhappiness how the new slopes, still steep in some locations, are shaping up now that the main part of the work is done.

The City Council has scheduled a work session for July 10, during which concerns about those areas will be discussed. The meeting is open to the public.

“Now we’re at the end of this and we’ve got issues, issues, issues,” Council Person Kevin Mills said during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The project included not only installing new water and sewer mains, but also a lowering of Third Street in several locations, installation of stairs, railings and ADA-accessible sidewalks. Brian Boelk, a senior civil engineer with Iowa City’s Axiom Consulting, has monitored the work since the project began more than a year ago and said the new gradings meet city code. Boelk has addressed individual issues with property owners as the project has progressed.

Boelk said seeding and final grading will occur into the fall.

Before the project began, a series of meetings were held with property owners.

“We hired them (Axiom Consulting) for their expertise and going by code,” Council Person Lois Schneider said. “You guys are doing stuff by code and that’s why we hired you.”

Mayor Allen Schneider directed that a list of property owners’ issues be compiled in time for the July 10 work session.

Water Plant

Following a public hearing, the City Council approved moving ahead with a major improvement and repair project at the water treatment plant that will cost more than half a million dollars.

The exact cost isn’t yet known, pending a bidding process that will begin this week, but the estimated range is $550,000 to $700,000.

The deadline for contractor bidding is July 13 with contracts expected to be determined by the council at its July 17 session.

Work at the plant will include pipe replacement and other structural repairs.

Street Parking

The council is considering actions such as no overnight parking on city streets after a city resident on Sycamore Street appeared in front of the board to say that multiple parked vehicles on his street are causing dangerous situations for motorists and pedestrians.

Sycamore, located in a busy neighborhood, is narrower than main city streets and parking is allowed on just one side of the street.

Council members discussed that the city ordinance may need to be changed so that overnight parking is not allowed on some streets, perhaps between 2 and 6 a.m.

Further discussion was tabled until an analysis of the city’s streets and the ordinance is completed.

Council Action

The City Council renewed Council Person Tom Sexton’s appointment as mayor pro tem.

The City Council extended the Iowa City law firm of Mearson, Sueppel & Downer as city attorney through the end of 2023.

The City Council approved Hawkeye Electric of Hiawatha for actuator replacements in the water system at a cost of $1,849.

The City Council approved McCreedy-Ruth Construction of Riverside for an improvement project at the City Hall Chambers at a cost of $12,340.

The City Council approved across-the-board 6% pay increases for city employees, effective July 1.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. July 3.