Archive for: March 2010

February 7, 1932 – March 23, 2010
Sara Lu Frederick, 78, of Eugene, Oregon, formerly of Wellman, Iowa, and Iowa City, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Burial will be …

By Mary Zielinski
Linked to its $2.8 million downtown revitalization project, renovation of the Kalona Community Center’s city hall took a major step forward when the council Monday accepted the low bid of $26,208 from Schlabach Construction for the remodeling work.
“It is 1,570 square feet,” said City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, adding, “We are reclaiming space that had been the preschool.”
In addition to the general contractor bid, the council also accepted the bids from Thrapp Electric, $5,800, for electrical work; Hardman Painting, $2,980; Hopf Home Furnishings, flooring, $5,904.50; Welter Storage, furniture, $5,800; Siebert & Associates, Inc., vertical chair lift, $4,490; Kuenster Heating & Air, HVAC, $1,125; Radio Shack, audio visual and related items, $2,000.  The total, for all work, is $54,307.50, below the $60,00 estimate allocated to the project, noted Schlabaugh.
“We need to go ahead with this,” said council member Ken Herington, “We put it off too long and we need to gain credability with the public.”
There is a good possibility that once the renovation is done, the council may resume meeting in the Center since the plans include a new meeting room.
Schlabaugh was one of three bidders of 11 who obtained specifications and Herington expressed appreciation to the others, noting several were “from out of town.”  He and Schlabaugh each noted the city will have other projects.
In a related matter, the council also approved renovations for the recreation facilities in the Center, in particular moving the exercise room to a reconfigured weight room.  Schlabaugh explained that the new location is directly above the city offices and the noise from the machines echoes heavily into the offices.

By Mary Zielinski
With $101,350 in community support funds, Kalona hopes its meeting with Vision Iowa March 10, will net a $550,000 grant for its $2.8 million downtown revitalization project.
City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh at Monday’s council meeting, said most of the planning committee would attend the meeting in Des Moines, that any interested could come and that the group plans to leave at 7a.m.
Most of the council meeting dealt with the revitalization plans, including a presentation from Glen D. Meisner of MMS Consultants, Inc., Iowa City, who did the design work and will hand the bid and construction process.
“You should be proud of what you are doing,” he told the council, noting that Kalona was near a stage of doing :”bigger or not at all.” His presentation outlined the three phases, the first of which will be addressing safety factors such as sidewalks and curbs and street drainage (which includes storm sewers). The second will deal with B Avenue, one of the town’s two main streets and the final 5th street with tie-ins to green areas around the Kalona Community Center. The city hopes to obtain a parcel adjoining the city’s land.
Meisner indicated that Phase I could be done by June 18 with Phase two starting June 21 and Phase III by the end of August or first of September. He added that the contractors will provide a schedule before any commitments are made.
When it comes to maintenance of the improvements, Schlabaugh said the city will meet with businesses owners and others, not only for input but also for maintenance.
Council member Dave Bentley suggested that city consider buying a sidewalk sweeper to aid in the effort. Estimated cost is $7,500, and Schlabaugh suggested a one-year lease first “to see how things work out.”

Ila Marie (Hindahl) Ruegsegger, 89, of Wellman, Iowa, passed away February 26, 2010, at Parkveiw Manor in Wellman.
Mrs. Ruegsegger’s request was to be cremated and that there be no visitation or …

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI) announced grants for community-based energy efficiency and renewable eneregy projects. An Iowa Mennonite School project was one of 30 selected for funding.
IMS will use its $9,475 grant to install a solar array on …