Published: November 06, 2009 09:25 am      

DeWitt Aquatic Center leak repaired, tested

DEWITT — The DeWitt Aquatic Center leak has been repaired and tested, Public Works Director Matt Proctor reported to the DeWitt City Council at Monday’s meeting. The pool had been losing as much as 20,000 gallons of water a day during the summer swimming season.

The council approved additional expenditures for the pool. At the recommendation of the city’s engineer, IIW of Dubuque, thresholds and vent covers on certain doors, particularly in the chemical room, will be installed by Hartz Lock of Clinton at a cost of $1,100. IIW has reviewed the pool operation to introduce some changes and to minimize damage done by chemicals used in the pool.

Also approved was an agreement with IIW for a police facility study for $8,000. The study will produce a general sketch and concept of a proposed new police facility and a cost estimate. A sum of $7,500 has been budgeted for the study with the remaining $500 to come from the police department budget.

DeWitt Police Chief Tom Whitten requested approval to submit an application for support funds from the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies to lower the costs of the administrative fee to gain the CALEA accreditation. The initial fee is $5,500 with a further set of fees at $7,500. The city expects to save about $366 annually in insurance costs if the police department is accredited.

“The insurance company sees a reduced liability,” City Administrator Steve Lindner said.

The council approved going ahead with the concept of a Rock Valley Physical Therapy addition at the DeWitt Fitness Center. An agreement with Rock Valley has been drafted for an attachment on the southwest side of the center. Included in the agreement is 1,000 feet of shared space used by all center users and Rock Valley.

This is a cooperative venture that has been helpful to the city, Lindner said. The city has multiple partnerships at the fitness center and hopes to continue this, he added.

The council approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s ordinance regarding removal of snow and ice by the city. If a property owner does not remove snow and ice in the allotted time, the amendment states the work can be contracted out or be done by city workers. In either case, an administrative fee of $35 will be charged as well as costs of the work. The finance director will bill the property owner, but citizen concerns can be brought before the council.

The council passed a resolution approving an amended version of the DeWitt Urban Federal Functional Classification System and National Highway System. The amendment reclassifies Humeston Road from 11th Street to the north city limits as a minor collector rather than the current major collector. The traffic count was 1,200. Eleventh Street from Sixth Avenue to the west city limits (to U.S. 30), will become a major collector with a traffic count of 8,000.

In addition, a public hearing was set for Nov. 16 for comments on the city’s 2009-2010 budget amendment. Finance Clerk Deanna Rodriguez noted the budget amendment has resulted from no city projects being completed on time and many items brought to the council that were not budgeted for originally.

Also a resolution was passed for a subordination agreement for Keisha and Michael George who are part of the city’s housing rehabilitation program and are refinancing their home, and the council approved a community development housing needs assessment required to make application to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for housing development funds.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.