Kalona to get federal funding to aid in replacing A Avenue bridge

By Mary Zielinski
If financing and plans work as expected, Kalona will have a new A Avenue bridge by October 1, 2010.
Monday, the council approved a 28 E joint public service agreement with Washington County for its engineer to do the survey work for the project.
It also approved a consulting engineering congract with Calhoun-Burns and Associates, Des Moines, for the bridge design.  Calhourn-Burns designed the city’s award-winning C Avenue bridge several years ago.  Cost of services is approximately $11,000.
Federal funds, allocated through the state, will cover 80 percent of the estimated $350,000 total project cost.
City Administrator Doug Morgan explained that due to the federal/state funding there is a lot of paperwork.  He added that it is expected to take about a  year to design the bridge to be ready for bid early in 2010.  Part of the time involves dealing with a number of agencies, including the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that currently has a six-month waiting period for projects.
Replacement of the bridge is expected to put an end to problems with the DNR over weight limits that, in the past, caused problems for Kalona Sales Barn patrons.
In other business, the council:

• approved a resolution to have a meeting October 1 to authorize a loan agreement with the state revolving loan fund for $489,000.  The funds, capital loan notes, are to help with the $675,000 lift station project. The council will later review proposed increases in the sewer and water rates to aid with the project cost;
• officially accepted the recently completed shower and restroom facility in the Municipal Park;
• approved a lease with A to Z Preschool for $3,735 for the year, paid in nine installments of $415;
• tabled action regarding appointments to a Building Code Board of Appeals pending one more nominee for the five member board;
• discussed siding for the Community Center ranging from $25 per square foot to $8 per square foot, deferring a decision to the next meeting;
• were told by council member Dave Bentley he would talk with the Washington building inspector about possible filling in for the Kalona inspector when needed; and
• was asked by business owner Stuart Yoder to address parking problems and if the city would provide hand railing for the sidewalk at the Fireside Grill and Kalona General Store where there have been personal injuries when pedestrians fell on the steps.