Estimate doubles for Kleopfer Avenue extension, scholarship discontinued

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.
City worker Kevin Engel asked the council to consider approving a change order for the water main project between Fourth Street and St. Mary’s church to replace the two leaky fire hydrants at roughly $4,900. Engel voiced concern about problems with the water line. The council agreed to wait until they get into the project.
Iowa Township Trustee Jim Rose asked the city to increase its allocation for cemetery maintenance to $5,000 to pay for mowing and snow removal. The request came after the council was informed that more than 40 percent of the cemetery is within city limits and the trustees did not want to increase its tax levy. Mayor McDole said the city had just approved the budget and would need to check and see where they could pull the money from. No action was taken.
In other business, the council:
• learned from Deputy Jared Schneider there were 29 calls. McDole praised the sheriff’s department saying, “You’ve made your presence known slowing down smaller traffic, but the bigger traffic is still an issue between 5-7 a.m.;”
• approved the City of Riverside’s 4.5 million budget for 2010-2011;
• approved annexation of the Larry Tener property, subdivision agreement and final plat; and
• received a bid during citizen time for mowing Iowa Township park. No action was taken. Council discussed checking into costs and getting competitive bids.