Posted: June 10, 2024 | Updated: June 14, 2024
AGENDA
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JUNE 11, 2024
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 3:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 130 N PARK PLACE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED
GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE. THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAID MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:
ROLL CALL: CARMAN, BOUSKA, FOSAAEN, McCONNELL, KRIENER
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Mike Born to Discuss Sewer Bypasses and Effluent Issues
- Discuss Nuisance Properties
ADJOURN:
THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, CODE OF IOWA AND THE LOCAL RULES OF SAID GOVERNMENTAL BODY. POSTED JUNE 10, 2024.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council special meeting to order on June 11, 2024 at 3:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present.
Discussion was held with Wastewater Superintendent Mike Born about inflow and infiltration south of Highway 9. When it rains heavily, the south lift station is unable to keep up and could bypass the system. This indicates that a large amount storm water is entering the sanitary sewer system somehow. The DNR is requiring the City to come up with an action plan to reduce the amount of storm water that is entering the lift station. The City has implemented an annual sewer main cleaning and inspection program, major repairs are being done when discovered, and sliplining the mains as needed. Previously, the City completed a sump pump inspection program to eliminate sump pumps and downspouts from discharging into floor drains or the sanitary sewer.
The possible concerns include: the discharge of the sump pump into the sanitary sewer, footing drains, old field tiles linked to a main or service line, and deteriorating Orangeburg service lines. Several ideas were discussed to try to find the source of the storm water including televising and sliplining private service lines at the connection, dye testing downspouts, or upgrading the pump. Born will speak with engineers to see if they have any other options.
Brenno explained the current budget is $6,000 per year for nuisance abatement. That amount has been sufficient in the past, but to be proactive in cleaning up nuisance properties it would need to be increased. He explained the process for abating the nuisance and an estimated cost for ones that are escalated to the City attorney. Council wants to be proactive and encourage residents to clean up their properties. Current nuisance complaints that are being addressed are failing to mow lawn, overgrown weeds, junk vehicles, and discarded household furniture. Council would like to look into having a city-wide cleanup day in the future. Brenno will speak with Hawkeye Sanitation about options.
McConnell left the meeting at 5:06 pm.
Kriener moved to adjourn the worksession at 6:34 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be June 17, 2024, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill