| | 
The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, January 10, 2008
|
Anamosa Sewage Rates Skyrocket
by Michelle Phillips |
Anamosa residents probably weren’t surprised that their sewer rates increased because the city has been warning that a rate increase would be necessary for nearly a year. What may have surprised them, however, is the amount of that increase.
In letters to citizens, the city projected the increases to be $12 more per month for a one-person household, $18 more for a two-person household and a three-person household would see an increase of $14 per month. Currently, a single-person home pays about $13 per-month with a two-person home paying around $20 and a four-person home spending an average of $35 per month.
Anamosa City Administrator Pat Callahan said the city is in the middle of a three-phase plan to upgrade the sewer system. The completion is expected in 2013 and will cost Anamosa a little over $6.5 million. The city is required to upgrade due to Iowa DNR and EPA standards.
An additional plan for the sewer lines, manholes and lift stations is also in place. Work in these areas is scheduled to take place in 2008 and 2009. Costs for this project will be $2.4 million.
“Phase II should be finished by the end of April. Phase II is putting in a new system to handle sludge,” he said.
When Phase III begins in 2012, with projected completion in 2013, the city will be replacing the trickling system that was last upgraded in 1993.
“That technology is pretty much out of date,” Callahan added. “There’s other equipment now that is better.”
He included that the $4 million price tag is by today’s standards, and costs could be higher than projected. Callahan also said that cost would depend on the type of system the city chooses.
Besides the current upgrades to the facility, the city is also trying to retire a debt that was incurred in 1993 when upgrades were made to the system. He said the city had basically only paid interest on the debt, which was originally $1.9 million and has only been shaved down to $1.315 million over the past 15 years.
“Nobody wanted to raise the sewer rates at that time ,and there was only a slight increase. Now, we’re playing catch-up,” Callahan explained.
Public Works Director Larry Driscoll said the improvements to the system in 1993 were upgrades to a system that was revitalized from 1964-1969. He said the ’93 improvements included installing new primary and final clarifiers and revitalizing the digestor.
“We also added an effluent pumping station,” Driscoll said and added that the effluent must be pumped during flooding.
Callahan said that there is some good news. “The debt from Phase II is being financed through the Iowa Finance Authority in conjunction with a program from the Iowa DNR.”
The loan will have a fixed interest rate of three and one quarter percent.
The council approved an ordinance that spreads the increase over a two and a half year period.
The new rates will be reflected on the January 2008 bill, which will be paid in February.
Phase I of the project included installing a new chlorine system to kill bacteria before wastewater is discharged into the river. |
Braley Tours District Towns to Promote Small Business
By Michelle Phillips |
Rep. Bruce Braley made a stop at the Renaissance Center in Monticello as part of a two-day tour of the 1st District, in which the congressman talked about ways the legislature can work to help small businesses.
Braley, armed with a PowerPoint presentation, highlighted measures that have already been taken by Congress but pointed out that most are being held up in the Senate. He told a handful of people that bills passed in the legislature have an impact on small businesses, not only around the country, but also in Jones County.
Braley spoke about sub-committee hearings in contracting and technology, which includes jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration (SBA) Contracting programs and oversight of government-wide procurement practices and programs that affect small business. Most notably is how women-owned businesses have not met the five percent of contracts that are required. An investigation into why the benchmark was not met began in 2000, and Braley said seven years later are still not being met.
|
Congressman Bruce Braley made a stop in Monticello on January 8 as part of a tour to educate constituents on strengthening small business. |
Next, he touched on the Small Business fairness in Contracting Act, which he authored and introduced and was then passed in the House. The bill increases the contracting goal for small to medium sized businesses to 30% for all government contracts, up from 22%.
“This is the first bill to create a level playing field,” said Braley, who acknowledged that the 22% mark was not being hit previously. He said he hopes that if passed by the Senate, it would increase the use of small businesses when government contracts are available.
“In five years, government contracts have increased by 60%, but the number going to small businesses has decreased by 55%,” Braley said.
He hopes the bill will make the SBA more aggressive and provide greater oversight. He added that the Senate is expected to take action on the bill in early 2008.
When asked what was considered a small business, Braley joked, “Well, my idea of that has drastically changed since I went to Washington.”
He said there is no clear definition of “small” business. Different measures are used including number of employees, revenue and production capabilities.
Transportation and Infrastructure are also a concern for small businesses and Braley said a Highway bill is in the works. Braley, who serves on the Transportation Committee said, “After the bridge collapse in Minnesota, our committee is galvanized in improving highways.”
Braley voted for the 2008 Energy Bill, which includes legislation to assist small businesses in finding energy cost savings, developing energy efficient technologies and provide incentives for businesses that invest in alternate energy. The bill also sets a 36 billion gallon renewable fuel goal by 2022.
“Iowa is currently third in the production of wind energy. We are in the top 10 for potential wind power production,” he cited.
He also discussed the Plain Language Act and told the group that it was an effort to simplify tax forms as well as other government forms.
Braley provided contact information and encouraged business owners to contact him as soon as possible if they have requests for funding.
The frustration, Braley said, was that many of the bills have not made to the Senate floor.
“I think it’s prioritities. In the Senate there’s a tendency to giving unlimited debate and you need 50 votes to cut off a debate,” he said.
Braley covered 11 cities during his three-day tour, which began in Elkader and concluded in Oelwein on January 9. |
Cunningham Retires from Anamosa Post Office
By Ben Parker |
Years of reliable service from a friendly face has come to an end. Bill Cunningham retired from the U.S. Postal Service, Anamosa office, on January 2.
Bill began working for the post office in May 1971 and has given nearly 40 years of service to the government. In his time at the post office, he has worked for six different postmasters, including the current postmaster, Angie McDonough.
“There’s been many changes since I started here,” he said.
He has seen the change from manual sorting to automated. One thing that never changed, however, was that all letters were processed in Cedar Rapids for distribution. Before automation, Bill had to band each state and certain towns by hand before being sent for processing.
Bill has enjoyed his job. He most enjoyed working with the people, both customers and co-workers. He got to know a lot of people, which cultivated into great friendships. He couldn’t think of anything about his job that he didn’t enjoy.
In honor of his service, the Anamosa Post Office staff held a small celebration on December 28, 2007 from 9-11 a.m. and later from 1-3 p.m. Brownies and cookies were provided along with punch and coffee to guests.
|
Bill Cunningham sorts mail for one of the last times. He retired from the Anamosa Post Office on January 2; Cloanne Cunningham, Bill Cunningham and Anamosa Postmaster Angie McDonough with a clock and certificate presented to Bill on December 29, 2007. |
When asked about his retirement plans, he said, “Nothing definite.”
However, he did say that his wife, Cloanne, would let him do anything he wanted as long as there was a meal waiting on the table when she got home from work.
Thanks for the friendly, hard work, Bill. You will be missed.
|
PO
Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
Copyright
Anamosa Publications
Anamosa Journal-Eureka / Town Crier 2005
Thede Web
Works - Website
Questions
|