City prepares for summer

Welcome to spring! The city has been busy preparing for spring and summer.

Lifeguards have been hired and are in the process of completing training. Public Works and MRC have posted seasonal labor positions. Public Works has been working on potholes as material becomes available. The street sweeper was down for repairs, but we should be seeing it out soon.

During this summer’s construction season, we will also be completing the city’s three-year dual main project, that eliminated 13 segments of old four-inch main water lines.

We will continue to focus on eliminating old water main segments, but unfortunately the pace will be slowing, as we have used up the allocated America Rescue Plan Act funds.

The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Revenue and Marengo Police Department for alcohol compliance checks. This may involve the utilization of underage purchaser volunteers to make sure retailers are checking for ID’s and not selling to those under 21.

The agreement runs until June 30, 2025.

The tennis and basketball resurfacing project has begun. Crews are now waiting for better weather to finish the surfacing. They are supposed to start filling the pool this week and getting it ready for state inspection.

The contractor is finishing up some punch list items on the pool and will be turning it over to us soon.

After a public hearing on proposed stop signs on Lincoln Ave, where it intersects with Main St., council decided not to move forward on the matter.

The council approved a one-year union contract that included an 8% wage increase. The previous contract was a three-year contract with 4% wage increases each year.

The new public works building is fully completed and council approved the final pay application. Total cost of the project was $1,007,061.00. This will be paid for out of utility and street funds, not property tax funds.

The police department bathroom renovation project is finishing up and the council also approved a new furnace and air conditioning system for the PD.