North Iris Street Railway Crossing project gets stamp of completion

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Street talk dominated most of Wednesday evening?s regular Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting, and it was all business as usual for the council.

Headlining the agenda?s new business items included an official resolution concerning the North Iris Street Railway Crossing project. According to official letters from Warner Engineering Associates, the company hired for the work, the project can officially be marked as completed as all parts of the project align with official drawings and specifications.

While the original contract price for the project was slated at $44,101.80, the addition of hot asphalt mix to the project raised the total cost of the project to $47,431.80.

?Overall, it was a very nicely done project. The engineer on the project was great to work with, and we?re happy to be officially done with the project,? said Brent Schleisman, city administrator.

A second reading of a proposed ordinance to establish no parking on the east side of the 800 and 900 block of South Adams Street for the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, was approved. The official request comes directly from the U.S. Postal Service as their carriers are experiencing some difficulty delivering mail with cars parked in front of mailboxes.

Aside from city streets, the council also spoke of spec buildings with business regarding the Henry County Industrial Development Corporation Spec Building #3 in Crossroads Industrial Park. After reading out a resolution, the council unanimously moved to forgive the $12,544.53 balance remaining from a previous loan payment agreement for the building, and waived the right to repayment of said loan without further discussion.

Another spec building that was discussed included the Commerce Street Industrial Spec Building?s sanitary sewer.

?In previous meetings, the city agreed to extend sanitary sewer to the south property line for the new industry, which is developing this location,? explained Schleisman. ?According to the letter we received from the contractor, everything looks like it is up to specifications.?

And if you happen to hear an extra abundance of noise at 611 East Washington Street on Thursday, Aug. 13, don?t be alarmed.

?We have a request for a noise permit for a DJ at the home of Iowa Wesleyan President, Steve Titus,? according to a permit read aloud by Mt. Pleasant Mayor, Steve Brimhall. ?The permit is concerning IWU?s New Student Orientation, Time with Titus, taking place at the president?s home from 7 to 9 p.m.?

The permit was approved.

In other business, the board:

? Approved the fiscal year 2015 road use tax finance report

? Approved an encroachment permit for an Art Vision Sales sign at 105 West Monroe Street

? Approved a new Class C liquor license for Warren Wu, of Panda?s Kitchen, located at 119 North Jefferson Street

? Waived a third reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone real estate adjacent to the 700 block of West Clay Street as the council has not received a single objection from neighbors or any other outside party concerning the rezone. The real estate rezoning in question was requested by Matt and Sarah Donnolly, who wish to build a home on that property

The next Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m.