Kalona plans city hall renovations, facilities updates

By Mary Zielinski
With its planned $2.8 million downtown revitalization firmly launched, the Kalona city council Monday took a look at renovating the city hall and updating a number of city facilities. If all were done, total estimated cost is $133,218 and would cover everything from office renovations, furniture and computers to pool repairs and a security camera system.
Funding will be from the general, pool and park project accounts.
Following some discussion, the council approve authorizing City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh to seek bids for the renovation work. He estimated that phase of the plan would be between $45,000 and $55,000.
However, the council also agreed that repairs need to be made to the municipal pool, park restrooms and recreation facilities in the Kalona Community Center.
The pool work, which includes painting ($19,064), caulking, depth markers and other repairs, $10,350; a concession area and concession eating area, $5,000 total; pool seating and other amenities, $6,675; painting (deck) $2,500 and chemical system, $5,429, totals $49,018. Most of the cost, $42,343 will come from general fund revenues.
The parks update totals $17,750 and includes restroom repair, tennis court resurfacing, slow pitch field concession and restrooms, $2,500 and campground upgrade and expansion, $5,000. Council members agreed, though, that the campground work could wait.
For the recreation facilities in the Community Center, costs are $1,000 for the treadmill, $2,700 for the stepper and $750 for a security camera system. It would be covered by the Rec Center savings account.
The office renovations involves remodeling the existing council chamber and adjoining space, as well as furniture and computers, a total of $62,000. Schlabaugh said computers are needed for the Parks & Recreation Department and the city’s building inspector who will gain office space in the renovations. The building inspector, Jim Pope, will assist in the plans.
Schlabaugh said that the city has had 51 applicants for the Parks & Recreation Superintendent position for which Monday was the deadline. He explained it is important for the new person to have an office and a proper computer.
He added that the list of candidates will be reviewed and “narrowed down,” and expects one will be hired next month.
In other business, the council:

• learned that Vision Iowa cancelled he February 10 and the next meeting is March 10, although the VI director may visit Kalona and review the area prior to that meeting;
• learned that the local support match is $100,600 and includes funds for the 38 quilt sidewalk blocks and 20 benches;
• approved the final payment of $63,105.45 to C L. Carroll Co., Inc. for the 6th Street lift station project;
• set 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 1 for the public hearing on the 2010-11 budget that has projected revenues of @,459,162 (a 2.9 percent decrease or $71.040 from 2009-10) and projected expenses of $2,368,544 with $90,618 in Trust an Agency for a total of $2,459,162. The budget also reflects an increase of 1.7 percent ($2,767) in public safety, a 1.6 percent ($5,277) in Public Works, 4.3 percent ($20,031) in culture and recreation, primarily for the library and pool; 15.3 percent ($93,640) in Community and Economic Development with TIF certification accounting for more than 2/3 of that increase; and 4.5 percent ($7,084) in general government mainly from salary and attorney fees.