KALONA

Having heard no comments on the city’s plan to borrow money to upgrade sewer services, the Kalona City Council moved forward Monday night, approving a $400,000 sewer revenue loan and disbursement agreement for the project. This interim financing comes at 0% interest for up to three years; it ultimately will be rolled into a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan.

Stop signs in Southtown, at the intersections of Nutmeg and Vista Drive for eastbound traffic and Westwood Circle and Vista Drive for northbound traffic, were so needed, the city felt, that they were placed following the council’s initial approval of an amendment to the ordinance governing such. At the Dec. 2 meeting, the council gave their final approval, making the stop signs now enforceable.

The city’s strategy for snow removal this winter also met with tacit approval by the council; it involves “no real changes” from previous years, with the exception of an updated map that includes Southtown.

“It’s worked well for us, so we’d like to continue it,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said.

When snow falls, the city prioritizes snow routes and emergency access streets, followed by the downtown business district, which needs to be cleared before cars park along the streets.

“We really have a lot of work to do downtown before local businesses open up, especially with a coffee shop that’s very popular,” Schlabaugh said. “It’s imperative we’re down there early to do it, because once cars are downtown, we just really can’t run our equipment through there.”

Residential streets are next to be plowed, followed by alley routes that provide primary access to residential properties.

“Alleys are the ones that we get calls about,” Schlabaugh noted.

The council also approved contracts for engineering services with Garden & Associates Monday night; the city will be billed as needed, but costs are estimated at $750,000 for waste water treatment facility improvements and $192,500 for the water system transmission main.

At the conclusion of the meeting, council members looked over drafts of letters to be sent to state representatives encouraging them to support a moratorium on new casino gaming licenses. A proposed casino in Cedar Rapids is projected to reduce the Riverside Casino’s revenue by 11%; the Riverside Casino’s foundation has granted millions of dollars to the City of Kalona and its nonprofits over the years. A final version of the letters is expected to be presented for the mayor’s signature at the council’s next meeting.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.