Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Cost for asbestos removal at downtown building increases
The former Create-A-Craft building, located at 170 South Central Avenue.
The cost to remove asbestos from an abandoned building in downtown Hartley is increasing due to its condition.
A bid totaling $15,860 from Site Services was accepted last month by the Hartley City Council for removing asbestos from the building at 170 South Central Avenue. But due to the condition of the structure, the bid accepted on Monday is $28,855.
"It went up a lot," said Superintendent of Public Works Curtis Conaway. "Part of that is the collapsed roof."
The structure, which formerly housed Create-A-Craft, was declared a dangerous building in 2019. Removal of mold, and repair and replacement of the roof and other areas of the building was not accomplished by the owner, Mary Rons, as required, so the city determined the building should be demolished. A bid of $51,425 has been accepted to complete that work.
The cost to remove asbestos at the former Capitol Theatre building at 185 South Central Avenue is more in line with previous estimates. The council accepted the proposal totaling $37,826. A $25,000 Derelict Building Grant awarded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will pay a portion of the asbestos removal at that location.
The city has owned the building since October of 2020 after acquiring it from Dwight and Darla Jacobs. It has also been declared a dangerous building and will be demolished. The cost is estimated to be $100,000-$130,000.
• Salaries, equipment bids
Employee salaries for the upcoming fiscal year were approved. The recommendations were made by the personnel committee comprised of Council Members Jerry Olson and Mary Westphalen.
Salaries for administrative positions (city clerk/administrator, public works superintendent and police chief) are based on a semi-monthly amount while those of other employees are determined by an hourly rate.
According to discussion, salary increases were not based on a percentage amount but are "job performance based." New wage amounts will go into effect on July 1.
Upgrades to the water plant's computer control system (SCADA) will cost $24,770, plus $1,970 for yearly software support. JElectric was the successful bidder.
Iowa Pump Works submitted a bid of $16,616 for work on a pump at the wastewater treatment plant. Conaway said the pump was installed in 2004, and it will take six to eight weeks to be completed.
