A starting point

A major goal of the Royal City Council has moved from a "someday project" to a potential reality.

Council members heard an update on Jan. 12 regarding the estimated cost of repaving 2-1/2 blocks of Main Street. The estimate was made by Jacob DeLoss, of DeLoss Construction in Spencer, after meeting with Mayor Josh Toft, Council Member Matt Goyette and Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen to inspect the street.

"We have a starting point," Toft observed. "Whenever we talk about street repairs, we need to talk about Main Street first."

The targeted project area runs west from 2nd Avenue to just past the fire station, between 4th and 5th Avenue. DeLoss' estimate for grinding down the existing surface, putting in new fill and pouring a new concrete street is $700,000. That would include the entire width of the street as well the radius at each intersection.

"That's the worst-case scenario. We don't know what is underneath," Toft noted.

According to discussion, the city would not be eligible for grants to pay for repaving the street. Funds might be available if infrastructure improvements under the street such as storm sewer were added to the project.

Nielsen said that rerouting stormwater away from Main Street would be "a huge improvement."

City Clerk Barb Fletcher suggested the city hire a firm to write the grant application, and also engage an engineer to do preliminary planning for the project.

"Let's reach out and interview a couple of companies. Let's get them here and pick the one we want," Goyette said.

A committee comprised of Toft, Goyette, Council Member Jeff Van Westen and Nielsen was named to talk to engineering firms and move the process forward.

"We're farther than we have been for 20 years," Van Westen remarked.

Council members agreed it would be ideal to have the Main Street project completed by 2025 when Royal celebrates its 125th anniversary.

"If it's doable, I think it's great," said Council Member Sara Ricke.

Toft said he feels the council is prepared to take on this project.

"This is big," he acknowledged. "There's no other way that street is going to get fixed."

• Ordinance, tax levy hearings set

The first reading of Royal's updated code of ordinances was held and the council scheduled a public hearing on Feb. 9 at 6:15 p.m. Changes in the truck ordinance approved last month are included in language read by the council.

The second reading of the proposed code will also be held next month.

The council also took an early look at the city's FY23 budget. Fletcher said the maximum property tax levy will increase by $4,000, based on a rate of $8.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Discussion was held on increasing the amounts levied for the city's share of FICA and IPERS, and to pay an increased percentage of employee health insurance premiums.

The council agreed with those changes and scheduled the levy hearing for Feb. 9.