Published: May 09, 2008 02:50 pm            

Officials optimistic about DC visit

CLINTON — Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm and Camanche Mayor Jim Robertson say city officials had a very nice and hopefully productive visit with local legislators in Washington, D.C., last week during the 2008 Mayor’s DC Summit.

Holm, Clinton Public Works Director Gary Schellhorn, City Administrator Gary Boden, Public Works Director Gary Schellhorn and council members Paul Gassman and Mike Kearney attended the summit on behalf of the city of Clinton. From Camanche, Mayor Jim Robertson, City Administrator Tom Roth, City Engineer Dan Solchenberger and Council member/Mayor Pro-Tem Trevor Willis attended.

Local officials traveled to Washington, D.C., on Sunday to meet with legislators on Monday and Tuesday in an effort to lobby for federal funding for local projects. Both mayors say they think the trip may have been worthwhile and hope each city may see some federal funding as a result of the lobbying effort.

Holm said the Clinton delegation had great interviews with Rep. Bruce Braley and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin while visiting the Congressional offices on Tuesday. Holm said the meetings were scheduled for approximately 15 minutes, but often, the meetings ran longer.

He said the 19th Avenue North Project and proposed Lincolnway Railport were well received. He remarked that a wastewater treatment plant discussion with Rep. Tom Latham, a member of the Appropriations Committee, went very well.

He said one of the main issues discussed during the visit was unfunded mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency, such as the sewer separation. He said the mandate is forcing the city to incorporate rate increases to cover the costs of sewer improvement projects. Holm said that on Monday, he spoke with Ottumwa Mayor Dale Uehling about wastewater and sewer rates. He said the higher rates are getting so bad, some Iowa cities are considering forming a coalition to create a unified voice in talks with the EPA.

Holm said he was impressed with the legislators and their staff members, saying they were well-informed and have compassion for the constituents living in the areas they represent.

“Overall, I think we were treated positively and got a good reaction to our presentations,” Holm said. “I think things went exceptionally well and I look forward to this fall with great anticipation.”

Robertson said he thinks the meetings went well and noted that those who made informational presentations did a great job.

“We presented our positions to Representative Braley and both Senators Grassley and Harkin. I think that we were received well. Braley and Harkin and Grassley are always accommodating to us out there and listen to our concerns,” said Robertson.

He remarked that Camanche officials presented information on the Washington Boulevard renovation project and how it and three other city projects, the Mississippi River Trail, connection of the forcemain from Camanche to Clinton for the new regional wastewater treatment plant and a large water system upgrade, are interconnected.

“They’re all projects that affect each other and it makes economic sense to do them at the same time,” Robertson said.

He explained that Washington Boulevard was formerly U.S. 67 until the bypass was built and the roadway was turned over to the city. Robertson said the base of the road is deteriorating and performing an asphalt overlay only would delay the inevitable.

“If we just overlay it, we’d be doing it again in a short period of time unless we repair the base,” he commented. “It would be a temporary and expensive fix and in five to 10 years we’d have to do it again. That’s not good for the citizens of Camanche. We should do it in a manner that’s going to last and get a good road out of it.”

Robertson noted that approximately five years ago, the city of Camanche completed a $1.3 million storm sewer project, and within the past 13 years has built new police and fire department buildings, all paid for by taxpayers.

“I think our Congressmen realize our city has done a lot of good projects that look to the future. Our citizens can be proud of that,” he said.

Robertson said he believes local representatives understand the problems area cities are facing and will try their best to help.

“It was nice to visit with our local representatives and Congressmen about our concerns. They were receptive and know what we’re up against. Personally, I think they’re genuinely concerned about it,” Robertson said. “You’re always optimistic, but things are tough all over the country. Who knows what the results will be. Hopefully it was a productive trip. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Thursday morning, Grassley said he always advises community delegations that members of congress appreciate their trips and efforts to convey important projects that have been studied and well-prepared, so work can begin immediately to secure funding for the projects. He said that while not every request is a monetary request, such as the presentations on Medicare and School Resource Officers, appropriations requests are submitted to the Appropriations Committee, along with a letter of justification for the project. He said that some decisions regarding the allocation of funding could be made at the committee level in early June, other funding decisions will not be made until September when appropriations are considered for fiscal year 2009.

Grassley commented that regional or joint projects, such as the wastewater treatment plant resulting from the cooperation of the cities of Clinton, Camanche and Low Moor, help “sell” a project when it is evident that communities are maximizing available resources to the fullest extent possible. He added that it is too early to tell if federal funding will be allocated, but said he thinks it would be fair to say some funding will be made available.

        

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