Dawn Koob, who serves on the Nitro Golf Outing Committee, which hosts a golf tournament to raise money for the Jones County Sheriff’s K-9 officer presented the money raised on September 8.

Koob presented Nitro’s partner, Jeff Swisher, and Jones County Sheriff Mark Denniston with a check for $7,216.96.

“My goal is $10,000,” said Koob, who said a lot of effort was put into this year’s event, which resulted in more donations.

“It’s impressive, it’s the biggest check yet,” said Denniston.

Anamosa Chamber of Commerce Directors, Doug Edel and K.C. Kiner requested street closures and parking restrictions for Pumpkinfest Celebration at the September 11 Anamosa City Council meeting. These street closures would be the same as last year with the exception of South Booth Street. To date there are 49 vendors registered for Main Street. The beer garden will be located on North Ford Street in front of Daly Creek Winery. This year there will be games for children and adults including a rock climbing wall. Street corner musicians will be present as well. The parade will be a half an hour earlier, at 2 p.m., to allow vendors additional time to sell their wares.

Edel cautiously voiced his support of Teresa Tuetken’s (Tucker’s Tavern) request for a beer garden during Pumpkinfest.

Council approved the closure of the streets that will be used for Pumpkinfest as well as South Booth Street for Tucker’s Tavern. An outdoor sales permit for Tucker’s Tavern was also approved.

Andrew Marsh from Howard R. Green reported to council on wastewater treatment facilities plan.

A life cycle cost analysis was calculated specifically for the Anamosa area on costs of building, operating and maintaining a 20-year proposed plan to fulfill the city’s wastewater treatment needs. Marsh recommended 2 pieces to make motion on at Monday night’s meeting.

1.) Stay at the current site. It would be costly financially over the long haul to build a new facility at a new location.
2.) Choose one of three systems:
A. SBR-Sequencing Batch Reactor
B. AeroMod System
C. Oxidation Ditch

All three systems are very similar just different in configuration. All three would work at the existing location, are expandable for growth, and create less sludge volume as they all call for de-watering which involves less dollars.

Marsh also discussed with council the new project may be acceptable to the DNR in construction phases, which would give the city additional time to pay off the old debt. A rate study will be done to gather data regarding raising water and sewer rates to accommodate the cost of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade and construction. Rates would have to justify construction and increases in phases may be considered as well. Council approved the current site facilities phased plan contingent on DNR approval and authorized Howard R. Green to finalize the plan and send to the DNR.

The contracted completion date on the WWTP Disinfection System was September 1st. The contractor was required to finish the project by the Sept 1 date, if not the City may impose a $500/day fine payable by the contractor.

Larry Driscoll talked about the issue of sludge and the problem with the current digestor lid at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Driscoll will be requesting a new filter press for approximately $14,000.00 at the next council meeting. This equipment can be incorporated into the new proposed study plan for the WWTP.

Fire Chief Jeff Swisher and Mike McGreavey presented to Council with a request to increase the number of volunteers firefighters from 30 to 32 for the Anamosa Fire Dept. Swisher stated town size and rate of growth, seriousness of calls, waiting list, most firefighters work out-of-town which can result in daytime calls being understaffed as reasons for the request. The Chief also added that it would be a minimal impact on the city financially for Workmen’s Compensation.

Mike McGreevey offered his input regarding that the fire department has purchased recently $49,000 worth of equipment through fundraising and private donations and has not asked the city for additional funding other than allotted $50,000 budget.

Items also approved on Monday evening are as follows:

• Minutes from the August 28, 2006 regular Council meeting
• Authorization of Mayor’s signature on Senior Citizen Building Lease Agreement whereas Jones County is the tenant.
• Third reading of ordinance amending section 69.11 of the Code of Ordinance of the City of Anamosa by designating a No Parking zone on the East side of South Linn Street from Third Street to First Street.
• First reading of ordinance amending section 69.11 of the code of ordinance s of the City of Anamosa by designating a No Parking zone on the East side of North High St. from Park Court to North Terminus.
• First reading or ordinance amending section 35.02 of the city code of Anamosa increasing the number of volunteer firefighters from 30 to 32.
• Hiring of two fire fighters; Seneca Fisher and Matt Ganske to fill two vacancies.
• First reading of ordinance amending section 110.07 of the code of ordinance of the City of Anamosa eliminating the franchise fee on natural gas from 2% to 0%.
• Resolution approving the agreement with Benefit Solutions, Inc. for the Flex Plan with spending accounts.
• Changing status of Parks and Recreation employees from Seasonal to Permanent Part Time.
Public Hearing dates were set for the below items:
• Regarding sale of city property to Keith Vernon-October 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
• Proposed plans and specifications for Highway 64 East water main and sanitary sewer extension project- September 25, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Bidding for the project is to begin on September 25, at 4 p.m.

Council and Public Works Director, Larry Driscoll discussed the street sweeper demonstration and other possible options still available as the current sweeper is still operational even though in need of repair. Council members requested a cost estimate of repairs for the sweeper. No action was taken.

The City and the Anamosa State Penitentiary have been discussing the purchase of city water for prison use. ASP has concluded that it would be more cost effective to provide their own water then buy as a regular customer from the City of Anamosa. Anamosa can continue to serve as the “back up source” of water for ASP or it can revise the water rate ordinance for a “bulk water” customer as there would be no maintenance and only one meter as the prison has it’s own water department system.

City Administrator, Patrick Callahan updated council members on several matters:

The Anamosa School District approved the joint grant funding application for Safe Route to Schools. Doug Wilson, Snyder and Associates will complete the application.

The Anamosa Commercial Park will be submitting an application to rezone three lots along the park’s East side from M-1 industrial to C-2 Commercial.

The Anamosa Chamber of Commerce will be organizing a “what and why” informational sharing meeting of local organizations and governmental entities beginning in January.

Callahan reiterated a goal the council made was to review the need for standby electric power at City buildings and facilities in the event of a power outage. Research findings show that the
The Anamosa Fire Department has a small generator and will be in receipt of a new larger one shortly, the Police Department has no back up power, City Hall has no back up power, Lift stations have no back up power-a portable pump is used when necessary. Callahan suggested that in a future agenda council should be looking into approving the purchase of generators for City Hall and the lift stations and moving the small generator to the Police Station.

Trees Forever Representative, Patty Peterson met with the Anamosa Tree Board on September 7.
Peterson recommended that the city file applications immediately with Alliant Energy and Aquila companies for funding and related services. Applications are due on November 1. She also suggested that the Tree Board is resurrected and the city revise the standing tree ordinance and provided a model ordinance for the city’s use. The next Tree Board meeting is scheduled for this September 14 at 6:45 p.m. in the LCC.

Autumn is almost here and that can only mean one thing, St. Patrick’s Fall Festival is near. This year’s event will be held September 17, 10a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lawrence Community Center.

One of the highlights of the fundraiser, which benefits the church, is the dinner served. The menu this year will included roast beef and ham as well as side dishes, all made from scratch.

“We have a few things others don’t have, like sauerkraut and pickled beets,” said Sister Susan Dunnewald.

The fundraiser will include a country store, raffle, bingo and kids games.

“We always have clowns–Grandma Pockets and Rainbow Annie,” Dunnewald included.

She said the church is expanding the silent auction to include different themed baskets. Some of the themes include: school tutoring, outdoor activities and cosmetics.

The cash raffle is always popular, and chances are $1. Prizes are $250, $200, $150, $100 and six for $50.

“This is our largest fundraiser, the only other fundraiser is our Fish Fry the first Friday of Lent,” said Dunnewald.

Proceeds for the event are used for the general operation costs of the church.