Main Street paving project is finished in Royal

Just as one street improvement project was nearing completion, Royal city officials looked forward to developing a new street on the east side of town.

Blacktop Services, Inc. was finishing the Main Street paving project as the city council met on July 10. Mayor Josh Toft and council members were pleased with the initial results.

"The new street looks good. I'm happy with Blacktop Services," Toft said.

The bid for the paving project was $215,816. Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen said that Blacktop Services laid an additional base coat before laying two 2-inch asphalt overlays. It was not known whether that coat would add to the final cost.

The council approved transferring $132,225 from the water utility fund to a street improvement fund. The water funds included proceeds from three accounts that were closed and $100,000 from the checking account.

The remainder of the street project will be paid from American Rescue Plan Act, road use tax and local option sales tax funds.

• Possible new street in east Royal

Some of the milled asphalt removed from Main Street was used to create a solid turnaround area at the lagoon site. Council members discussed whether the remaining milled material could be used as a base for a new street north of The Great Hall.

The city purchased the strip of land between 1st Avenue (M36) and King Street in 2019 as a possible site for a street. According to discussion, another street would provide additional access to the residential area on the east side of town.

Nielsen said sod and dirt would have to be removed. After the dirt surface is packed, milled material from Main Street could be spread to create a 30-foot wide street.

"It would make a great base. It will be a great way to use that product," Nielsen said.

Council members agreed to discuss the street project again at the August meeting.

• Hometown Pride committee

As a participating member of the Hometown Pride program, Royal is required to have a committee in place to work on community-based projects. Toft agreed to serve on the committee. Also discussed was incorporating the existing Royal Visioning Committee into the Hometown Pride committee. A decision will be made a later date.

Spencer will not participate in the Hometown Pride program at this time. As a result, Royal's financial obligation will be higher than the $259 that was previously quoted.

• Lift station generator, pumping

Power Solutions, Inc. informed the city that the lift station generator will be delivered in August. Council members discussed whether to have the electrical service put underground and the pole removed. They agreed to have it done if the cost is reasonable.

In other business, Nielsen reported the lift station pumped 7.3 million gallons during June. He has sprayed for mosquitos and will do so again when needed.

The city has not received any responses from Northwest Iowa Planning and Development on nuisance notices, and an agent with the insurance carrier was scheduled to reevaluate damage to city-owned buildings during the hail and windstorm in May.