Camanche looks at tank options

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

May 19, 2008 02:05 pm

— CAMANCHE — The Camanche City Council is debating what the city should do regarding the tank memorial in Central Park.
The council last week discussed the possibility of removing the tank from the park and replacing it with a different memorial to local veterans. Mayor Jim Robertson remarked the city consulted the Camanche Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 734 for their input.
Robertson read from a letter issued by the Legion and VFW, saying the organizations would like the city to keep the tank in the park serving as a memorial, but noted the council has the final decision.
Councilman Ken Fahlbeck said the city’s Historical Board is considering a veterans’ memorial, potentially to be placed in Rose Hill Cemetery, but no formal action has been taken. Fahlbeck said the city’s next step should be to determine how much it will cost to refurbish the tank. Councilman Trevor Willis agreed, saying the city should obtain cost estimates for painting or moving the tank.
Public Works Director Dave Rickertsen said he believes that because the tank is government property, it must be refurbished according to government standards. He said the rehabilitation of the tank would not be a simple project as it needs to be sandblasted and primed before painting, and should be tested for lead paint. Rickertsen said his department could perform the preliminary work on the tank, but questioned who would paint the tank. Willis suggested the city contact government officials and inquire what companies can perform the work. City Building Inspector Tom Powell commented that many of the tank’s components likely were pre-painted before assembly, which could complicate the project.
Robertson said the city needs more information on the options regarding the tank and said the city should investigate the cost before determining a plan for the tank or a new memorial. City Attorney Tom Lonergan added that if the city decides to remove the tank from the park, the tank would have to be disposed of through the proper channels.
Later in the agenda, the council discussed scheduling a goal-setting meeting. City Administrator Tom Roth remarked that Willis made the suggestion while Camanche officials were lobbying legislators in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Roth said many communities compile a multi-year plan in order to organize and prioritize city projects, with some cities even bringing in a facilitator or planner to attend the meeting and offer guidance. Rickertsen said many city projects already are planned and he would like to see the city hold a meeting to discuss the projects before looking to a consultant. Willis agreed and Council member Ron Wehde said the city knows the upcoming projects well.
Fahlbeck questioned when the meeting would be held. Roth suggested the goal-setting meeting be held in coordination with budget planning sessions held in December or January. Wehde remarked that if the meeting is held in October, it would give the council two months to discuss the projects before budget planning for the next fiscal year begins. Robertson directed Roth to schedule a goal-setting meeting for the fall.
Regarding the payment of city expenses, City Clerk Sheryl Jindrich noted she submits one bill list per month to the council members. She stated that she is not comfortable with the current format because by the time the council approves the bill list, approximately three-fourths of the bills already have been paid. She said she would like to change the format to one bill list per bi-weekly meeting, which would allow her to pay bills that must be paid with the approval of the council, a move that would eliminate a lot of advance checks. Councilwoman Linda Kramer said paying the bills in advance of council approval has been a concern and she thinks the bi-weekly approach is more appropriate. The council directed Jindrich to change the bill report format.