Royal will soon be out of the water business

Royal council members have agreed to turn responsibility for operating and maintaining the city's water utility over to Iowa Lakes Regional Water.

The possibility of ILRW taking over the water system has been discussed since January. During the process, council members have met with CEO Brad Veit and also held a public hearing to receive input from local residents.

According to discussion on May 10, City Attorney Jill Davis advised that the council could approve the agreement, and then revise the current water and sewer ordinance. The latter action is necessary as ILRW will take over responsibility for billing customers for water usage.

"We won't be in the water business anymore," said Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen.

The transition will take place as soon as possible. The council plans to honor its commitment to have the exterior of the water tower painted; however, there is a question regarding whether the city or ILRW is responsible for providing insurance coverage.

"If they (ILRW) take over the whole system, that includes the water tower," observed Council Member Jim Virelli.

• Generator bids to be sought

Ted Kourousis, of Northwest Iowa Planning & Development, was present to discuss the grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be used to install a backup generator at the lift station. City Clerk Barb Fletcher said the $38,820 grant was awarded four years ago, and a bid had been received for installing the generator.

"If you can get it for that price, you could be ahead. My question is whether that price is still good," Kourousis said.

"The labor may be the same but the material will be higher," Nielsen said.

Specifications for the generator have been forwarded to Ziegler Cat for a comparative bid. The bids will be forwarded to Kourousis as soon as they are received.

• Abandoned property, nuisances

The council agreed to complete the process of acquiring an abandoned property at 110 Long Street. Mayor Pro-tem Jeff Van Westen said the owners are willing to turn the property over to the city.

The city attorney is preparing a warranty deed to finalize the transfer. The council set a deadline of June 15 for the owners to have their possessions removed.

Fifty-two reminder letters regarding possible nuisances were sent prior to the cleanup day. A follow-up survey indicated good response to them.

"I think we are making progress," said Council Member Mitch Fahnlander.

Another inspection will be done after May 22. Fahnlander recommended that properties still not in compliance should be referred to Northwest Iowa Planning and Development for further action.

"I don't think [the city] should send any more letters. That way we are two or three months ahead of last year," Fahnlander said.