RIVERSIDE

At a time when construction work on a $3.2 million water main project is giving Riverside’s Third Street a new look, the city is also facing major repair and renovation work at its wastewater and water plants.

Moisture damage at the plant is so critical that a renovation of the roof and other parts of the building may run $200,000 or more, Brian Boelk, a senior civil engineer with Axiom Consulting of Iowa City, told the City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting August 15.

The design of the project will cost $18,000 to $20,000.

A door replacement is currently in the works for the facility. Once more examinations of the building are completed and a design is approved by the City Council, work would begin by late winter or early spring, Boelk said. The bid process for construction will occur after the design work is completed and approved.

“There’s a significant concern with moisture,” Boelk said.

In addition to work on the facility itself, the council is also considering a secure sliding-gate system that could run as high as $8,700. The city is hoping to get financial assistance from Washington County and others that use the plant.

In the meantime, the council instructed Ben Stumpf of PeopleService to pursue two separate quotes for a proposed new pump at the water plant. The cost of a new pump is estimated to be $12,000. Repair of the current pump would run about $9,000.

3^rd Street Project

Paving of roads affected by the Third Street project should begin Thursday or Friday this week, Boelk said.

Much of the work on the project east of Greene Street has been completed, clearing the way for Second Street, Hickory and Third to be paved. Areas west of Greene still have months of work remaining.

“Once they start paving, things are going to roll,” Boelk said.

Paving for the entire area is expected to be completed by late fall.

“Things are going well,” Boelk said. “Just trying to play catch-up here.”

In conjunction with the work, the council approved a payment of $495,374 to Streb Construction at Monday’s session.

In other action, the council approved a number of ordinances, including one that will change a yield sign to a stop sign at the northwest corner of South Hickory and River Street and another ordinance that restricts hedges and fences within the front yard of a property to three feet.

The council also heard a report from new building inspector and nuisance officer David Tarnow, who is implementing a number of procedural changes including sending emails with updated information to contractors and working personally with Riverside property owners who may have violated city ordinances.

Next meeting: The City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Special meeting: The City Council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. August 22 in order to vote on a resolution that would approve the city’s intention of applying for a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant that would help pay for an EMS monitor for the Riverside Fire Department.

A work session scheduled for August 29 will include discussion on a proposed housing development that would be annexed into the city.