AROUND MAQUOKETA AS OF JUNE 23, 2003  

by Judy Carr  

The Platt Street Pedestrian Trail Project is well underway.  The trail starts on Platt Street at the corner of Jacobson Drive and comes west into town past Hermes Auto, Dr. Yanda Vet Clinic, C&R Tires and Knox Country Store.  The trail crosses over to the north side of the street at Dearborn Street.  

The pedestrian trail on the west side of town is also nearing completion.  The trail is on the south side of the street and goes past McDonalds, Westgate Plaza and out to Wal-Mart.   

Two property owners along the trail have spoken to Council members about the need for a retaining wall on their properties.  Engineering plans show that the slope of the area behind the sidewalk is enough to allow the property to be mowed.  These two property owners disagree and have met with Council members several times to discuss this.   

On June 16^th, Council approved, by a 4-3 vote, to pay $3,000 toward a retaining wall at McDonalds as long as the City would receive a statement saying Glen Karpinske and McDonalds would oversee the project and hold the City harmless for any damage done to McDonalds’ trees and other landscaping.  Council members agreed to this because the area in question is Karpinske’s property and not City right-of-way.  Members also stated they will not put a retaining wall up at Hermes Auto but will review the situation again in several months to see how it looks.  We hope that both trails get as much use as the trail that was put in on Summit Street and Jacobsen Drive .  

With the resignation of 2^nd Ward Council Member Bill Potter, the City has now completed the process of filling the vacant seat.  Council members announced their intent to fill the vacancy until the next election rather than hold a special election before November.  Staff published a notice in the Maquoketa newspaper announcing the intent to fill the vacancy.  An item was placed on the June 16^th Council agenda to appoint Tim Clark to fill the vacancy of 2^nd Ward Council Member.  Electors of the ward have the right to file a petition requiring the vacancy to be filled by a special election.  The petition must be filed within 14 days of the appointment.  

In May, city staff again sent out the required notice regarding the high levels of radium in the water supply.  This is the second notice to be mailed to all of the water customers since the City found out about the high level of radium.  The notice also included an update regarding what the City Council has been doing to remedy the problem.  The City has hired Snyder & Associates Engineering to research the problem and present possible solutions.  The City Council heard a presentation from Snyder & Associates on June 23 and decided to pursue an approximately $3 million option to construct a water treatment facility that would remove the radium by softening the water.   

The Maquoketa City Council held a public hearing regarding the plans, specifications and form of contract for the Pershing Road Storm Water Basin Improvements for east of the wastewater plant.  The estimated cost of the project is $166,500.  IIW Engineers have been working on the specifications for the project which will include protecting the river bank with rip-rap and raising the detainment area for the water.  City Council members authorized IIW to advertise for bids to be due at 2:00 p.m. on June 16^th at City Hall.   

Low bid for the Pershing Road Storm Water Project was submitted by Peterson Contractors, Inc. from Reinbeck , Iowa in the amount of $102,881.00.  Council tabled award of the bid upon recommendation from the Engineer.  IIW felt the item should be tabled until the necessary easement is obtained and until the City found out if SRF funding is available.  

The Dubuque Racing Association awarded a $3,500 grant to the Salvation Army Building Project.  The funds will be used to install wood flooring in the building.   

The Maquoketa Swimming Pool has opened up for the 2003 season.  Staff has already held sign up for swimming lessons but anyone still interest can call the pool at 563-652-5331.