New Marengo pool opens this month

This newsletter is going to cover May & June due to some scheduled vacation.

The big news I want to share is that the pool and pool staff are nearly ready to go. State inspection is scheduled for May 2. The Pool ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for May 31 at 10 a.m., so mark your calendars.

I’m also excited to announce there will once again be concessions at Lions Park for ball games as the council approved a contract with Emily Nielsen to operate it for the season.

Our Library is also gearing up for their summer programs and will be offering free programs in June and July for kids of all ages. It is wonderful that we have a community with all these resources for our kids during the summer break.

Furthermore, the council approved Commercial Exterior Grants for Switzer & Wilson Counseling Services $5266.14 and Iowa County Abstract LLC $4162.08. The city allocates $10,000 per year for the Commercial Exterior Grant Program. Eligible projects must be in the downtown C-1 district. Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 33% of the project costs.

For additional information on this grant, stop in at city hall or view the program details at marengoiowa.com/grants.html. Congratulations to these businesses and thank you for investing in our community.

Iowa Valley Community School District, Compass Memorial Hospital and the Marengo Police Department are partnering to provide bicycle training for third grade students May 15. CMH is providing bicycle helmets, officers will assist kids with riding skills and rules of the road.

A public hearing is scheduled for May 14 at 6 p.m. for the council to consider no parking on Court Ave. between May Street and Lucas Street. This is in regard to access for buses and the safety of the children in that area when school lets out.

Additionally, the council approved a contract with Brian Miller Excavating for May Street improvements between Court Ave. and Marengo Ave. The May Street improvements are expected to help with the parking situation during school drop off and pick up as well.

Public hearings were set and bid notices are being published for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project. The project is being split into two contracts due to the type of construction.

Contract #1 is for the facility improvements, and contract #2 is for the force main to the Iowa River. The public hearing for both projects is scheduled for June 11.

Seasonal workers were hired for the Public Works Department and Marengo Recreation Commission. A new riding mower was also approved for MRC, and a two-year mowing contract for the cemetery was approved with Cronbaugh Lawn Care, $1750 per mowing and $700 per spraying.

Marengo and Belle Plaine agreed to a one-year cooperative agreement for insect spraying. Marengo will furnish Belle Plaine with insect spraying services and Belle Plaine will pay Marengo for the services.

This year will be a trial for both communities to evaluate the service.

While on the topic and for those that may not know, all our small surrounding communities work very well together, whether it is sharing ideas or a piece of equipment. Often this happens behind the scenes and the employees and departments just help each other out, and it doesn’t regularly get recognized.

So, thank you to all our employees and our neighboring city’s employees for all working together for the betterment of our communities.