RIVERSIDE

A new year began to take shape Monday night (Dec. 18) during the final 2023 meeting of the Riverside City Council.

On a night when incoming City Council Person Ryan Rogerson listened from the back row of the seating section in the City Chamber, the City Council set a January work session to discuss capital improvement projects for the new year, named a new city attorney, moved ahead with improvements at Riverside Boat Ramp and said goodbye to outgoing City Council member Edgar McGuire.

“Keep fighting the good fight,” said McGuire, finishing up five-year stay on the board.

Mayor Allen Schneider presented McGuire with a plaque celebrating McGuire’s service to the city.

Rogerson will be seated at the first session of the new year, Jan. 2.

A public hearing and the start of the bidding process on the improvement project at the Boat Ramp is expected to take place at the City Council’s Jan. 2 meeting. The project has an estimated budget of $125,000 although a preliminary list of costs hit $139,980.

Brian Boelke, a senior civil engineer with Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants, said Phase I of the project may be on target to be completed by the end of May 2024. The work will include erosion control, removal of small trees and bushes, cleanup of the area and updating signage for visitors.

The boat ramp is located southwest of Hall Park, south of downtown, and is accessed by both Pioneer Street and Ella Street.

Additional plans for the area include an updated parking lot, possibly paved or graveled, and a shelter and picnic tables.

The Boat Ramp project is part of the city’s capital improvements plans for 2024. The City Council set Jan. 8 as the work session date to discuss other capital improvement priorities.

Also Monday, the City Council approved Daniel M. Morgan of Lynch Dallas PC as city attorney, beginning in January. Rates range up to $250 per hour.

Property Donation

Sharon Schluttenhofer and Scott Kennedy formally offered to donate their property at 91 W. Third St. to the city at a value of $34,700.

The house was destroyed in a fire.

The remainder of the structure will likely be demolished at the city’s expense, once a property transfer is completed. City Administrator Cole Smith said the issue will go to the new city attorney in January, requiring no action by the City Council until that time.

Official Paper

The News was approved by the City Council as the “official weekly newspaper” for the city for 2024, granting a one-year extension of that status.

Council Actions

The Council approved a payment of $49,875 to Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical for work completed at the water treatment plant.

The Council approved an extension of a professional services agreement with Axiom Consultants of Iowa City to serve as city engineer.

The Council approved a 2024 street maintenance agreement with LL Pelling of North Liberty.

The Council designated Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank, Hills Bank & Trust, and Iowa Public Agency Investment Trust as depositories for 2024.

The Council waived review of the plat of survey for a planned cell tower project that Washington County is considering.

The Council approved the transfer of $155,124.70 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds so that the money can be used for water plant improvements and repairs.

The Council approved a reimbursement of $235.15 to resident Jean Weber for sewer line blockage issues.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. Jan. 2.