Funding for future projects considered by Royal council

The Royal city council discussed ways to finance an upcoming celebration and the purchase of a warning siren during its meeting on Sept. 8.

Royal’s 125th anniversary will be celebrated in 2025, so council members feel it is time to start planning for it. One concern is who will lead the effort.

“My biggest fear is we won’t have someone to chair it,” said Council Member Jeff Van Westen.

He is also concerned that no one will step forward to collect information about Royal’s history, especially since the centennial celebration in 2000.

The council’s intention is to tie the sesquicentennial celebration with Royal’s Fun Days, provided that event continues to be held.

“We have a strong group that will keep spearheading that. That should all be covered,” said Mayor Josh Toft.

According to previous discussion, council members hope to have Main Street repaved by the time of the 125th celebration. They agreed to include funding in future budgets to help pay celebration expenses. The amounts will be determined at a later date.

• Warning siren

Discussion was also held concerning the possibility of purchasing a new warning siren. Royal purchased its current siren 10 years ago from the City of Webb.

According to information from Council Member Matt Goyette, who was not at the meeting, a new siren will cost $12,000. He suggested the city apply for grant funding from the Clay County Community Foundation to help finance the purchase.

City Clerk Barb Fletcher said that funding may also be available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“FEMA should take care of that,” Council Member Jim Virelli observed.

The council agreed the siren purchase and grant funding possibilities should be pursued.

• Further action on nuisances

A survey of properties that had received nuisance abatement letters was conducted by Goyette and Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen. Additional properties were also identified as being in violation of city code.

Council members voted to hire Northwest Iowa Planning and Development to survey the previously-identified properties and document violations. Those who fail to comply will have the notices forwarded to the city attorney. Fletcher will also send letters to owners whose properties were added to the list.

The mayor said the process should continue.

“For the five people who are elected to the council and me as mayor, our best interest is to improve the City of Royal and to keep the budget in check.” Toft noted. “If it is improving the city by improving these nuisances, which it is, then it is no different budgeting for that than it is for a road or something else.”

The council received one response to a nuisance notice. The city will provide contact information to the owners regarding funding options for removing the house on the property.

• ARP funding, wastewater update

In other business, the council approved the annual street finance report. According to Fletcher, Royal received $54,935 in road use tax funding in FY21 and spent $48,947 for wages and expenses related to street maintenance.

Royal has also received $30,475 of American Rescue Plan funding. One idea suggested for using the revenue was maintenance of the water tower.

Recent rainfall led to a “really good flushing” of sewer mains. The precipitation also led to rising levels in the wastewater lagoons. Nielsen said he expects to release water from the lagoons in October.

He will also identify sewer lines for Rehab Systems to jet, and will trim low-hanging branches over streets and alleys.

Toft announced that Royal will host a state-sanctioned horseshoe tournament on Sunday, Sept. 19.