RIVERSIDE

A pair of ongoing Riverside improvement projects are headed for even more improvements.

The Riverside Boat Ramp will get more rocks.

The James T. Kirk birthplace monument will get more balance.

While the Riverside City Council approved a payment of $4,200 to Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical of Cedar Rapids for work already done at the Riverside Boat Ramp, the Council also decided Monday at its regularly scheduled meeting to expand the first phase of the project and directed city engineer Brian Boelk of Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants to have more rock placed on both sides of the entrance ramp leading to the English River.

“I think rock is going to keep it more uniform,” said Council Person Lois Schneider.

“It’s not an ideal situation, by any means,” said Council Person Kevin Mills, who examined the boat ramp, with mud on both sides, following the Council’s first June meeting two weeks ago.

“We spent $130,000 trying to redo this boat ramp,” he added. “Give it your best shot.”

The additional work was expected not to exceed $15,000.

The first phase of the project has included removal of some trees and other clearing, installation of a new storm sewer and new signage.

The ADA ramp work on the Kirk birthplace area, located just south of City Hall, will be partially redone to create a flat area for visitors on the west portion of the monument. Currently, the ramp and landing area has an upward east-to-west slant due to the slope of the ground underneath.

The flat area is expected to be about 8 feet.

Budget Amendment

The Council approved the spring amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

A public hearing was held, but no comments were made.

Total expenditures are now budgeted for about $7 million with revenues at about $6.9 million. Increased spending is from building repairs, increased insurance costs and capital projects carried over from FY23.

Pickleball Request

A group led by Julie Shebek requested the city have four pickleball courts at Hall Park. The area is already lighted.

Updated Sirens

Chad Smothers, Riverside Fire Department Chief, reported to the Council that a new siren system being updated by Washington County will be more automated than it is now. The system is being set for the sirens to sound when winds hit 70 miles an hour.

The city is covered by two sirens, Smothers said. Another siren is scheduled to be installed near Highland High School.

Council Action

The Council approved a payment of $5,747.50 to All American Concrete of West Liberty for work done on the Kirk ADA ramp.

The Council approved a resolution to accept the finished project at the city’s water treatment plant facility and approved a final payment.

The Council approved insurance renewals for FY25 with Southeast Iowa Insurance Services of Wellman at a cost of $103,917.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. July 1.