Royal receives grant for lift station generator

Following more than three years of discussion and two years since the application was submitted, the City of Royal has been awarded a grant to obtain a generator for the sanitary sewer lift station.

City Clerk Barb Fletcher informed the city council of the grant award on June 8. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $37,500 in funding. That is divided between $33,750 in federal funds and $3,750 from the state.

According to discussion, the grant will be used to obtain and install an emergency generator and related equipment at the lift station.

The application was submitted to FEMA in June of 2020. Northwest Iowa Planning and Development completed the paperwork on behalf of the city.

Also discussed was the $10,000 grant from the Clay County Community Foundation to be used for an outdoor warning siren. Information provided by Council Member Matt Goyette listed a purchase price of $21,000 for a siren.

As Goyette, who is also fire chief, was not present for the discussion, the council decided to wait until July to make a final decision.

The city has also applied for a Living Roadway grant in order to purchase a stump grinder and chain saw. The requested amount of $11,887 is 80 percent of the total purchase price of $14,858.

“That will be a really nice stump chipper and a really nice chain saw,” said Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen.

Nielsen had told the council in April that more than 70 stumps on city property would eventually have to be ground out. The majority will be from trees to be cut down due to an anticipated emerald ash borer infestation.

Estimates for painting Royal’s water tower were also reviewed. Maguire Iron, of Sioux Falls, S.D., estimates the paint job would cost between $45,000 and $50,000, with another $2,000 for cleanout and inspection of the tank.

The council anticipates receiving at least one more quote. The use of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds has been discussed as a means of paying for the project.

Retirement of a drainage assessment was also considered. Fletcher said the city could pay off a $37,593.53 assessment for earlier improvements in the area of Memorial Park.

“I don’t see a reason not to do it, if we can,” said Mayor Josh Toft.

Fletcher said the city has already retired six smaller assessments. The amount of the remaining assessment totals over $100,000.

“I like the idea of paying off the smaller ones and then only having one left,” said Council Member Sara Ricke.

The rest of the council agreed the $37,593 should be paid before the September deadline.

The council also authorized Nielsen to purchase a box pusher for the payloader. He had obtained a quote of $8,736 from Crysteel Truck Equipment, of Lake Crystal, Minn.

As no other quotes are anticipated, Nielsen is allowed to spend up to $9,600 in order to complete the purchase.