News

by Ranee Fladung
It may take many years, and be a long drawn out process, but the Riverside council Monday night approved funds for the first step in developing a recreational trail to run from the west end of Riverside and join Vine Avenue.
Mary Jane Stumpf, Community Visioning committee member said she is supportive of the multi-use trail and hopes it will “further enhance the Veterans Park by having the trail go through it.” The council approved a contract with French Reneker Associates, Inc of Fairfield to design plans for the recreational trail. City Administrator Tina Thomas said the contract also includes writing up to four grant applications for the trail project. The Washington County Conservation Department has committed $10,000 toward the project if the plan is supported by the council.
The City of Riverside hired Clean Harbors Monday to help get rid of an eyesore on River Street. Thomas told the council it could cost $13,000, minus the estimate for salvage, to clean out the tar in the city tank on River Street and haul it away, but “don’t quote me on that.” Very few organizations do this kind of work. But they follow the EPA guidelines. The company needs at least two weeks notice as they are cleaning up the oil spill in the Gulf.”
During Citizen time, Jeanine Redlinger suggested the council take some of the money they plan to use for the new Riverside welcome signs and use it to fix the street signs in town, so “people can find their way around town once they get here.” She pointed out numerous signs that are difficult to read when one is driving by and that a sign for Boyse Street is spelled two different ways. She also addressed the problem with the house numbering system in town since she has the same address as one other home on her street. The administrator will check into what is involved in changing an address. City worker Brad Herig said the city plans to replace signs late this summer or early fall.
Chris Kirkwood gave an update about the Veterans Memorial Park. Lighting and concrete benches still need to be finished.

Read more…

By Ranee Fladung
Despite assurances it would significantly lower transportation costs and be a “wise move” the Highland Board of Education Monday voted against buying an 84 capacity activity bus. Those opposed wanted more information about cost savings, indicating they would reconsider the issue.
Russell Fox, the district’s transportation/maintenance director,explained that the higher capacity bus would not only eliminate the need for a second bus, but also have storage space for equipment, noting it is just a highway bus.
Superintendent Chris Armstrong said it was a “wise move” to have a travel bus “so we don’t have to send out two (school) buses or an additional equipment van.” He added, “We should get a lot of life out of it.”
Board member Bruce Temple asked which account would pay for it, and was told SILO which for the last six months has averaged $400,000. Board Secretary Bev Colbert explained that event with the funds used to pay construction costs, it continued to maintain itself.
Board member Ed Ossman said that “the idea was to use that money for the building, not a bus.” He added the district needed to pay off debt, that “in tough times maybe we should not spend money on this (bus).”

Read more…

For Travis Riggan, finding a way to celebrate the centennial of Boy Scouting in the United States simply meant looking to Riverside’s future, the one written in the stars. The Star Trek ones, that is.
The 16-year-old high school student, working his way to being an Eagle Scout, was asked to be the Junior Assistant Troop Leader for Riverside Troop 235 at the BSA National Jamboree this year. The event was delayed a year to have the multi-year event coincide with the 2010 Centennial.
One of the traditions for the Scouts is trading patches, especially unique ones, and boy did Riggan devise some.
Inspired by his hometown’s claim to be the future birthplace of the fictional Captain James T. Kirk (of Star Trek), Riggan sketched out a number of Star Trek themed designs, enlisting the help of craft artist Loree Sayre to make them real.
When the Hawkeye Area Council’s Jamboree committee (including 2010 Jamboree Scout Master Gene Fields) saw the eight designs at the meeting in Cedar Rapids, the combination of Star Trek and Scouts was too good to resist. All eight were accepted. One Scoutmaster, a patch collector as well, said, “These patches will be a top trading item” at the National Jamboree.
Right now, Troop 235 is raising funds to help defray costs of going to the National Jamboree by offering a limited number of the Riverside/Star Trek patches. Riggan said the patches vary in design and availability with prices ranging from $3.50 to $6.50. There is also a special limited edition fund raiser patch for $5.
Featured designs are the USS Riverside NCC-1818, the symbol for Kirk’s hometown, space scenes and one with the whimsically winning “Beam Me Up, Scouty.”
Riggan is the son of Scott and Carol Riggan of Riverside and has been “surrounded” by Star Trek all his life. His mother is the current president of the Riverside Area Community Club (RACC) that has sponsored Trek Fest for 26 years.
The patches are available at the Riverside History Center/Voyage Home museum on Highway 22 in downtown Riverside. For more information, call the Center at 319-648-2226.

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) received 78 grant applications totaling $4.9 million in its spring cycle of grant funding. The requests will be reviewed by the Grant Applications Committee who is expected to have recommendations for the board in May.
At its February meeting, the WCRF approved setting the total available for grants for spring and fall 2010 at $750,000 for each cycle. Among the current grant requests is $1 million from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Riverside, to aid with its $2 million conference center, a $94,067 request to help with the $133,264 project to connect all Washington County libraries and a $33,000 request from the Kalona Historical Society to assist with a $55,000 land purchase.
There are five grant requests from the Highland School District, five from the Mid-Prairie District, 11 from the Washington District and two from the Keota School District.

Prior to its regular meeting Monday, the Riverside City Council toured the new River Crossing Medical Clinic, operated by the University of Iowa Health Care. The $1.6 facility opened last month, and will have a public Grand Opening April 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the facility just off Highway 22 in Riverside.

We are a commercial retail pharmacy that can handle prescriptions from any provider.

Besides providing family medical care, the new clinic also has a full-service pharmacy, optical shop that also offers eye exams, a complete laboratory and on-site digital radiology equipment.
Todd Shields, the pharmacist, told the visitors “We are a commercial retail pharmacy that can handle prescriptions from any provider.” The pharmacy also has a drive-up window.
He added that it has extended hours, operating from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, it has standard over the counter medications as well as shampoo, bandaids and similar items.
The clinic itself is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and the Optical Shop from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.
“We tried to do things the most innovative way we could from the beginning,” said Terry Protextor, UI Community Medical Services executive director, noting that applies to the building design as well as state-of-the-art equipment.
He also indicated that the clinic could be flexible in its hours, depending on how needs develop.
The clinic has two full-time physicians and a physician assistant as well as nurse and other personnel in its 7,600 square foot facility.

Read more…

by Ranee Fladung
Riverside residents, including four with prepared statements asked the city to reconsider its elimination of the Riverside Scholarship program at Monday’s council meeting.  Their requests took nearly a half hour.

It’s taking away a gift to our students

“It’s taking away a gift to our students,” said  resident Megan Allen. “It’s very important to them.” She told the council that criticism and complaints go with the job and they should be able to handle it.  Referring to the elimination of the $7,500 program, she said, “It’s the children who are punished.”
Leanne Sexton, a parent of a previous scholarship recipient, said it made a difference because it was one of very few her daughter was eligible for. “It made a difference.” She advised the council against listening to the vocal minority and to listen to those now speaking because they are the majority. She asked that they reconsider their vote as did  the four others.
Dana Merritt, who was a scholarship recipient, told the council they had forgotten the real purpose of the awards. That it provided an opportunity that many don’t have and makes students feel they have reason to come back to the community that supported them.
The council did not respond until the end of the meeting when all of the attendees had left and council member Ralph Schnoebelen requested it be put on the next meeting agenda.
Mayor Brian McDole polled the council adding that he was in favor of reviewing the issue  but admitted he thought “it was a losing battle.”
Council member Rodney Waldschmidt said he didn’t want it back on the agenda. Council member Betty Kaalberg in agreement said “It just doesn’t help enough people in the town.”
Council member Kevin Kiene shook his head no.

Read more…

by Ranee Fladung
After losing a son in a grain bin accident, Roger Stutsman of Hills has made farm safety his mission so other families don’t have to feel his pain.

Hills Fire Captian Jason Vannevel (left) and Roger Stutsman (right) lock the grain rescue tube in place around Hills Fire Chief Jim Malmberg Saturday in a demonstration of how the tube is used to rescue victims trapped in grain bins. (Photo by Ranee Fladung)

Saturday Stutsman donated a rescue tube to the Hills Fire Department to help emergency responders rescue a victim stuck in a grain bin. “This is a great gift from Roger. Small communities have limited funds and you never know when you’ll need something like this,” said Guy Sommers, Hills Fire Department Captain.
The grain rescue tube, a four panel system with four steps on each panel weighs approximately 60 lbs. and hooks together around the victim, costs about $2,500.
Stutsman thanked those who donated toward the tube, noting that it only took four calls to raise the first $2,000. Stutsman along with Hills Fire chief Jim Malmberg demonstrated how the rescue tube is pushed down in the grain around a victim trapped in a grain bin. Once around the victim, it’s locked in place, and a vaccum is used to suck the corn away from the person in the tube so he can crawl out to safety.
“I hope they never ever have to use it,” said Stutsman. “I would like to see fire and rescue departments all over the state of Iowa with rescue tubes on hand.”
Stutsman asked Congressman Dave Loebsack during the ag forum to establish tax credits for farmers to help retro fit old equipment with new safety features. Although tax credits aren’t the only way to go, Stutsman admits, it is a step toward saving lives that he feels is only logical.
Aging farmers are crawling up and down bins on tiny ladders that have no safety features, and often at times when they have been in the fields all day and are tired. Bins can be fitted with stairs and platforms but the prices are astronomical. Roger Slaughter, sales representative at Eldon C. Stutsmans in Hills, said the cost to fit a bin with stairs and railings can be up to $5,000 per bin. Most farmers have more than three bins. For Stutsman, who has 30 bins, the cost would exceed $150,000 to make each bin safer.
“Ag is where the food production occurs in this country,” said Loebsack. “We owe it to our farmers to do all we can to prevent accidents through education efforts and minimizing losses for these folks.”
Approximately 30 people attended the presentation and ag forum held with Congressman Loebsack.

by Ranee Fladung
Riverside Elementary school will have another outlet even though the price tag has doubled. Riverside Mayor Brian McDole informed the council Monday night that the original estimate to extend Kleopfer Avenue has risen to approximately $153,000. Following a meeting with City Engineer Mike Hart, council members and Highland school board members, McDole said several additions where made which were not included in the initial estimate. They were a sanitary sewer, storm sewer, driveway and adding a double sealcoat to the driveway. A sidewalk estimate was added as an option for the school district to lay at a cost of $15,000.
McDole said a 40 to 50 foot section of the road also will be widened at an increase of $8,000 to help prevent “bottlenecking.” City Clerk Tina Thomas said $72,000 had been budgeted this year which was not used but the council discussed using Local Option Sales Tax to make up the difference.
In a three to two vote Monday, council members Rodney Waldschmidt, Betty Kaalberg and Kevin Kiene voted to discontinue the city of Riverside scholarship. Waldschmidt said he agrees with the premise but he has been “disheartened with the complaints. We don’t need to hear what we have been hearing. I would rather spend money to help all the kids with a school road than half a dozen.”
Council members Ralph Schnoebelen and Todd Yahnke said they agreed it is rewarding and don’t see where the controversy is if applicants follow the guidelines. Kaalberg said she went along with it for two years but “I don’t think it is anything good for Riverside” noting it was dividing people. McDole, who said he was in favor of the scholarship, said “It’s as simple as following guidelines.”
The $7,500 scholarship available to city of Riverside Highland seniors was established two years ago and run by the Riverside Foundation.

Read more…

Although it originally was part of the major remodeling for the new Riverside city hall, a backup generator was deleted from the plans. Monday, the council addressed the need for one whose purchase and installaiton would be no more than $7,000.
The unit, which could be fueled by LP or natural gas, would be installed at the southside of the building. When council member Ralph Schnoebelen suggeted battery backup instead, Mayor Brian McDole said the concern is that batteries would not be sufficient, that everything is digital and there would be neither power nor phones and lights. Council member Kevin Kiene suggested that the city hall may not have a sufficient gas supply to operate both a generator and a furnace. After more discussion, the council agreed additional information is needed and the item will be on the next meeting agenda.
The council also discussed traffic on Highway 22, which is the city’s main street, suggesting that the sheriff’s office issue speeding tickets. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar, who was present, said, “We could get some reserves in at $15 per hour.” He added that the previous mayor had asked about extra patrol hours.
Mayor Brian McDole stressed “We have to figure out how to slow people down, 22 is just terrible.”
Council member Betty Kaalberg said, “Hire someone for a little while to get everyone scared.”
Questions also were raised about having a camera unit on speed signs, but City Attorney Les Lamping said the cost of such equipment is high.

Read more…

Congressman Leonard Boswell announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded Iowa $18,309,080 for two high-speed passenger rail projects in the state, including $1 million for a series of studies for a passenger rail line to run from Chicago to Omaha by way of Iowa.

As a longtime advocate for high-speed rail, I have fought for a passenger line that spans the state and connects Chicago and Omaha for quite some time.

“As a longtime advocate for high-speed rail, I have fought for a passenger line that spans the state and connects Chicago and Omaha for quite some time,” said Boswell, a senior Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “This $1 million award to the state will start the planning process and is a vital first step in getting this much-need transportation investment off the ground. The benefits of this important rail line are limitless and I will continue to fight for additional funding for this and other high-speed rail projects in the state.”

In March 2009, Boswell wrote to Joseph Boardman, President and CEO of Amtrak, to urge him to expand on the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative feasibility study that looked at a passenger rail line between Chicago and Iowa City to include Des Moines and Omaha.
The Department of Transportation also awarded $17,309,080 to install four remotely-controlled powered crossovers on the BNSF Ottumwa subdivision, which will reduce travel times and improve on-time performance.
The awards were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

A public hearing and first reading of the proposed Washington County zoning ordinance is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, in the new 4-H Building on the Washington County fairgrounds.  Gary Lozano of RDG of Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, will be present to facilitate.   RDG was hired more than a year ago to coordinate the drafting of the ordinance. The supervisors set the hearing at their meeting Tuesday.
It is likely that the second and third readings will be held February 16 and February 23 as part of the regular supervisors weekly meetings. the ordinance has drawn considerable fire from opponents, especially the Free County grass roots organization, who have been asking the supervisors since August to not pass the ordinance.
In other business Tuesday, the board:

• approved an agreement with the United States Census to aid with promotional, educational and informational efforts, including postings of articles on the county website and links to the Census 2010 website.  Additionally, supervisor Adam Mangold was appointed as liaison with the Census Bureau;
• accepted the low bid of $60,001.50 from DeLong Construction, Washington, for the riverbank stabilization project on 130th Street.  Other bids were $82,394, $78,479.75, $72,828, and $65,222.80.  DeLong’s bid is virtually $20,000 less than the estimated $80,000 cost; and
• approved a resolution acknowledging the voluntary annexation of a tract of land along Highway 22 by the City of Riverside. The Tener land recently was re-zoned go allow for commercial development on the south side of Highway 22 near Bud’s Custom Meats.  A public hearing on the annexation is set for February 1 during the regular Riverside council meeting.

It was mainly a for land’s sake meeting for Riverside’s council Monday.
The council, in four separate items of business, approved land re-zoning, exchanged land with a local business, received a purchase offer for city owned land and agreed to buy some land to create a secondary road near the elementary school.
Approval of the ordinance for re-zoning of property owned by Larry Tener from A-1 to C-3 followed a public hearing in which no objections were raised. The property is on Highway 22 east, near Bud’s Custom Meats business.
A second Public Hearing, in which no objections were raised, dealt with an exchange of city property with Ed Pechous, Riverside Grain and Feed, that involves approximately 4,500 square feet of land. The exchange also provided for easement agreements between Pechous and the city regarding downtown property.
The third land item is an offer from Brad Acker and Dan Sweeting to purchase Lot 2 in the cityÕs Eastside Commercial site. The two, who offered $2 per square foot, plan to build a hotel on the site. There will be a 120-day period during which a feasible study will be done. Action on the offer will not come until next year.

Read more…