Water plant, grocery store top Stratford agenda
By Billie Shelton — Daily Freeman-Journl WriterSTRATFORD - Several visitors attended the city council meeting in Stratford, including Brian Kenny of MER Engineering of Fort Dodge, who came to respond to engineering questions on the present water plant, the wells, and the future water plant.
Kenny noted he would make the Preliminary Engineering Report very obvious regarding the differences between municipal water costs versus rural water costs if the council chose to apply for the 2008 Community Development Block Grant.
Following that, the council did vote unanimously to apply for the 2008 Community Development Block Grant for a drinking water plant. They also approved City Manager Rachel Cahill going out for request for proposals to provide administrative services for the Community Development Block Grant.
Grocery store
In another development matter, the council authorized $10,000 to go to the Stratford Community Development Corporation for the community grocery store project. A payment of $5,000 will come from the general fund, with another $5,000 to come from the electric utility fund.
Home rehabs
The council also voted to apply for another Community Development Block Grant for Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation, with the city giving financial support at $5 per capita. The objective of this program, which is based on income eligibility, is the preservation of single-family homes through rehabilitation. Anyone interested in the program should contact the city hall immediately, as there is a deadline for the grant application.
Another visitor to the meeting was Cliff Weldon, director of MIDAS Council of Governments, who highlighted for the council some of the programs MIDAS offers to communities.
Brad Cutler of MIDAS also gave a presentation on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Grant money is available from MIDAS to offer free training on GIS to municipalities.
In other business, the council got news the town has received two grants. One is a $5,000 grant for trees in the town park from Trees Forever. A $2,000 grant has also come from the Alliant Energy Foundation for park improvements.
With the Webster County Local Option Sales and Service Tax sun setting, the majority city of Fort Dodge has filed a resolution calling for an election to implement a Local Option Sales Tax of 1 percent. The Webster County board of supervisors agreed the election should be held with this November's general election. The Stratford council passed a resolution supporting the election. Proceeds of the sales tax will be allocated for public improvements.
In other action, the council:
Accepted a quote from Northway Well and Pump for $23,266.74 for maintenance on city well number 2.
Approved the quote for $4,000 from Ubben Tiling and Backhoe for 700 feet of alley south of highway 175.
Directed Cahill to look into paving options to improve the alley and drainage issues behind the west side of main street businesses.
Cahill was also directed to get quotes for street paving work on Moore Street, with the council leaving the decision on which proposal to choose up to her discretion.
Approved getting sealed bids for the old street sweeper.
