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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
March 1, 2007 |
Long Range Planning Committee Formed in 2003
by Michelle Phillips |
Editor’s Note: The Anamosa Community School District’s land purchase has divided citizens and caused a lot of hearsay. I’ve decided to revisit the manner in which this purchase came about in a five part series, beginning with this week’s article featuring the formation of the Long Range Planning Committee, and ending with the future of the school district.
On June 18, 2003 a Long Range Planning Committee held it’s first meeting in regard to the Anamosa Community School District (ACSD) in what needed to be done to accommodate students in the growing district. |
West Middle School |
The new committee was formed with the recommendation of the Anamosa School Board to assess the condition of current facilities and explore future options.
The committee was comprised of school board members: Brian Darrow, Jim Mitchel and Jay Willems; administrators: Superintendent Carol Lensing, Anamosa High School Principal Steve Goodall, West Middle School Principal Rick Delagardelle, Strawberry Hill Principal Reona Ewald and Strawberry Hill Assistant Principal Cynthia Britton; community members: Randy Antons, Nurit Finn, Vic Hamre, Val Daily, Al Perkins, John Haldeman, Jerry Davis, Paul Wilcox and Warren Wortman.
They spent the first meeting reviewing documents and drafting a mission statement. Hamre and Willems were named co-chairs of the committee.
At the second meeting on Sept. 23, 2003 the committee approved their mission statement, which outlined nine goals for the group:
Anamosa Community Schools Long Range Planning Committee
Purpose and Mission (Draft 7/03)
To establish an understanding of the condition and status of the ACSD, both in facilities and educational philosophy.
To explore the national/state educational trends, political and legislative issues and opportunities which exist to enhance the educational opportunities for ACSD.
To explore the population and enrollment trends in the district, identifying challenges and opportunities for changes in trend predictions.
To understand the health, safety and legal standards by which schools are governed.
To understand the funding sources and limitations imposed regarding each source (PPEL, Instructional Support Levy, Local Option Sales Tax, property tax, etc.)
Using #1-5 above, investigate the ways in which the district can maximize its facility investments and plan most effectively and efficiently for the future.
To be conduit to the residents of the district, providing information to the communities about what the committee has learned as well as reporting to the committee reactions and/or concerns from citizens.
To search for opportunities to better serve the communities of the district by developing quality partnerships across stakeholder groups.
To serve as a nucleus of community members who are willing to take recommendations of the committee out to the citizens of the district and communicate their knowledge and ideas.
“The idea of the committee was to look at long range options and feasibility studies and make recommendations to the board,” said former Anamosa Superintendent Carol Lensing.
The committee reviewed a long-range plan from the ‘90s and poured over aerial maps and building use plans. The group discussed hiring Shive-Hattery of Cedar Rapids to do an analysis of the district. Doug DuCharme of Shive Hattery was contacted and began working with the committee.
When the committee met for its next meeting on Nov. 18, 2003, they discussed the land the school owned and the potential for purchasing an L-shaped piece of land by the bus barn, and a piece of land near Strawberry Hill, owned by Fred And Winnie Williams.
The committee held from all of the administrators about the conditions of their buildings, the group looked at enrollment trends. Over the five years prior to 2003 and since, Anamosa exceeded the Iowa Department of Educations expected enrollment from the district.
At the January 4, 2004 Long Range Planning Committee meeting, DuCharme gave an initial proposal for facility need, and it was starting to become clear that West Middle School was going to need a lot of work. It was not handicapped accessible, would need rewired, the rooms are too small, locker rooms needed rebuilt and the heating and cooling system was inefficient.
The committee urged that a timeline be set and community members be told of the facility needs.
On March 4, 2004 the committee’s meeting centered on the renovations and replacement of West Middle School. The group agrees that they will report back to the school board that they advise maintaining the upkeep of West Middle School to insure student safety, however the committee did not want to pour a lot of cash into the 100 year-old school.
Questions arose, concerning a new school: Where would it be? How much would it cost? Should it be a central campus? Could it be placed on land the school already owned? How early could the school attempt a bond referendum? What would happen to the existing site? |
Council Discusses Solid Waste, Radium Filtration
By Susan Yario |
The Anamosa City Council heard from Jennifer Ryan, ECICOG Solid Waste Planner at the February 26 council meeting. Ryan reviewed the issues impacting solid waste management in Jones County as the current landfill has been operating since the 1970s and must close October 1. She also gave an overview of the issues for council to consider.
Bob George started discussion on the difference between direct haul (contractors take trash to Landfill in Marion) and building a transfer station (trash picked up at the JC site and hauled to a different location by a separate contractor). Anamosa and Monticello are key cities in this issue as they have the most waste to be hauled. Ryan offered that direct haul has more flexibility in a convenience station and no investment dollars to begin with but building a transfer station (monies are set aside for this) is more expensive but provides no changes for Jones County residents. In either case, residents could see an increase on their trash bill and a surcharge on their city water bill up to $2.50 approximately per month per household.
Mayor Hatcher brought up the comment that the Jones County Landfill Commission has the final say on which direction the commission will take for solid waste, Diane Caspers confirmed the Mayor’s comment. The next Landfill Commission meeting is scheduled for March 6, with plans to make a decision at that meeting.
Councilman Feldman made a motion in favor of doing the same as Monticello as their Council meeting is March 5. If Monticello chooses another solid waste management direction, then Anamosa will see what the revised numbers per ton without the City of Monticello contributing in the costs of the project.
Dave Stoklasa of Snyder & Associates presented an engineering proposal regarding the reduction of Radium levels in the City’s water supply. The city has chosen reverse osmosis treatment and ion exchange softening options for focus in a water quality study. This study is required by the DNR. The proposal from Snyder & Associates is for $ 31,215 and includes data collection, field investigation, pilot plant operation, data analysis and demand projections including numerous facets within these topics as well as other details and ongoing communication and reports to the IDNR. The proposal from Harn R/O is for approximately $30,000 to provide equipment and services for a reverse osmosis pilot system for three months and to provide an autopsy report for two membrane elements at the conclusion of the pilot study, which will determine whether or not the Radium is being removed.
Council member, Brian Harmon stressed that Anamosa is not the only city needing to change their drinking water system. Stoklasa observed that R/O has more flexibility to remove more constituents from water and as far as comparing the two types of treatments; reverse osmosis and ion exchange, they are not entirely apples to apples as R/O would be considered the “polished apple”. Council approved the study and pilot program after a lengthy discussion.
A resolution for the plans and specifications for the Central Drainage Basin project were approved and the bid awarded to Ricklefs Excavating. The city received ten bids for the project last Thursday and the low bid of $79,961 submitted by Ricklefs includes the additional 270 feet of 15” HDPE pipe. The Engineer’s estimate was $91,561 for the base and alternate bid.
Items also approved on Monday evening are as follows:
Resolution setting date for Public Hearing for March 26 regarding the rezoning of the Happy Hollow site and adjacent properties from MH, Mobile Home District to R-2 Residential.
Resolution setting date for Public Hearing for March 26 regarding the rezoning of a portion of the proposed Third Addition from R-1 Residential to R-2 Residential.
Resolution approving the sale and conveyance of a portion of Happy Hollow site to Dallas and Marlene Paustian.
First reading of ordinance vacating and conveying to Neil and Pat Schoon a portion of Liberty Street and alley in block 3, Scott & Skinner’s Addition to Anamosa, Iowa. Waiver of Second and Third Considerations also approved.
Resolution approving the preliminary plat of ADCO Third Addition to the City of Anamosa, Iowa.
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a facility rental agreement with Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church for the use of the Jones County Senior Center Building.
Second reading of ordinance amending section 69.06 parking for certain purposes illegal, changing the seventy two hour parking limit to forty-eight hour parking limit. Waiver of Third consideration also approved.
Second reading of ordinance that would prohibit minors from entering establishments that generate more than 35% of the sales from alcoholic beverages after 9:00 P.M. as proposed by the Jones County Alcohol Reduction Project Committee.
First reading of ordinance setting speed limits for city alleyways at 15 miles per hour.
First reading of ordinance adding additional traffic regulations for expiration of drivers license and violation of school permit onto the city books resulting in the Anamosa Police Department the ability to write tickets so that the revenue comes to the city.
Authorize the Police Chief to amend personnel policy to include the probationary period for newly hired officers to be changed to twelve months.
Authorized Public Works Director Larry Driscoll to purchase a replacement pump in the Tower Road Sanitary Sewer Lift Station. Purchase not to exceed $12,000.00
Authorize the City Clerk to complete and the Mayor to sign the six page application for a State Revolving Fund Loan (SRF) from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for improvements to the Wastewater treatment plant.
Payment of bills for the month of February 2007.
Resolution amending the City’s personnel policies regarding pre-employment physicals and annual physicals.
Resolution regarding the City’s personnel policies on Emergency call-out pay and stand-by pay.
Resolution approving a purchase agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation on the former IDOT maintenance shop on First Street as prepared by City Attorney.
Purchase of commercial stair climber, elliptical fitness cross trainer and 2 Schwinn Air Dyne bikes for The Lawrence Center with monies from Capital Equipment Budget.
Authorization to include $500.00 in the 2007-2008 budget for a contribution to the Iowa State Extension Summer Discovery Program.
Three public hearings were held at the meeting.
No public was present to respond and no written comments have been submitted to City Hall regarding said Public Hearings.
1. Public hearing regarding the proposed sale of City property to Dallas and Marlene Paustian at 603 East 1st Street.
2. Public hearing regarding the proposed sale of City property to Neil and Patricia Schoon at 605 North Williams.
3. Public hearing regarding the plans and specifications for the central drainage basin project and the taking of bids for such project.
The City Administrators report included items of discussion at the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting held on February 21; height of fences and retaining walls in the residential district, updates on the city’s overall sign regulations and of-premise signs in the residential districts.
Callahan reported that the meeting with the Anamosa School officials about the water main and sanitary sewer connections to the proposed site went well and the costs will be based on the acreage being served versus the school acreage and the teams will meet again in March to continue negotiations.
The Administrator discussed the situation with the final payment to Taylor Construction for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection System Project construction. It seems as if there is a stalemate and arbitration may be the next step. Taylor refuses to pay for the additional engineering costs that the city incurred while delays were made by Taylor construction during the progression of the construction and the violation of the deadline date. Taylor has requested the project be closed and their final pay be released.
The new City Tree Board ordinance will be discussed at the next tree meeting on February 27. The new wording encompasses a five member board of any citizen of Anamosa.
Callahan informed the council that the Safe Routes to School application was denied due to limited funding and the city was encouraged to resubmit the application for a future funding cycle.
An issue with changing Old Dubuque Road to 130th Street and changing house numbers has created a small issue with the 911 Emergency response system. County emergency systems are set up by miles in (to town) and city address systems are set up for blocks out (of town).City Clerk, Tammy Coons recommends that the city revert back to 5 digit number addresses on this street as it affects the timely provision of emergency services.
Mayor Jon Hatcher reported that resident Mike Bickford has been appointed to the Planning and Zoning Committee.
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Ice Causes Complications for County
By Michelle Phillips |
Freezing rain and high winds wreaked havoc on Jones County over the weekend, leaving 1/2-1 inch of ice on everything in its path. The ice and wind were blamed for downed power lines, which have left some county residents without power for several days. Most city outages were rectified within 6-14 hours of the blackout, but at press time some areas near Olin, Wyoming and Oxford Junction were still in the dark and across Iowa over 100,000 were without power.
Due to the outage in Olin, restored on Sunday evening, wastewater had to be bypassed, according to the DNR. Although bypassing sewage is never a desirable situation, it can prevent sewage backup into homes and businesses, which can create a greater risk to human health. Bypassing to a stream can help dilute the wastewater, while sewage in basements would be undiluted.
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Kids advertising free food and hot soup at Reel Time Restaurant in Olin. |
“It is important that bypassing be kept to a minimum. The longer and the more volume that is bypassed, the more serious the impact can be to the environment and water quality,” said Barb Lynch, chief of the DNR’s field services bureau.
The City of Olin bypassed about 25,000 gallons of wastewater to Walnut Creek during a power outage this weekend. The bypass began at 10 p.m. Saturday and ended at 1 a.m. Sunday.
A power loss also led to the City of Mount Vernon bypassing about 2,000 gallons of wastewater to an unnamed tributary of Spring Creek from midnight to 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
The City of Mount Vernon also bypassed 1,000 gallons of wastewater to an unnamed tributary of Spring Creek from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Monday due to a power outage.
About 15 cities had reported wastewater bypass to the DNR as of February 26.
Reel Time Restaurant in Olin opened its doors and served as a shelter for those who didn’t have electricity. The eatery was offering free food and soup as well.
Anamosa Community Schools was on an energy interruption for the second time this month.
Previously the school was closed only in the evening hours. This time schools were closed for about 48 hours because electricity is needed elsewhere on the grid.
An agreement between Alliant Energy and the school district states that the school has to shut down when there is a shortage of electricity. Typically these interruptions take place in the summer when electricity consumption is high because of air conditioning use.
Gov. Chet Culver has declared a state of emergency in 60 Iowa counties. Some of the hardest hit counties are in eastern Iowa, including Linn, Benton and Black Hawk. Throughout the state power lines and poles have taken out electricity to communities and inhibited ability to pump water from city wells.
The current winter storm is expected to cause more problems in already devastated areas. It was announced on February 27 that those in the worst affected areas maybe without power for two weeks. On the same day Culver requested those without power to leave before the new storm began. |
Weather Doesn’t Damper Fish Fry Numbers
By Susan Yario |
Hand breaded walleye, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, baked beans and delicious desserts were served at the St. Patrick’s Annual Fish Fry on February 23.
Bad weather kept attendance of the church’s fundraiser down, but all in all the Friday night meal was a success with community supporters waiting in line as usual for a tasty hot meal. St. Patrick’s hold the fish fry every year to kick off Lent. |
From Top to Bottom: Ed Brady taking in a hot tray of freshly fried Walleye; Milton Moctezuma settles on fish and mashed potatoes; Pat Callahan and Jeff Hinz adding battered fish to hot oil. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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