Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Estimates come in drastically different
A portion of the collapsed fence at the Everly sewage treatment ponds sags towards the ground on Monday evening. Several portions of the perimeter fence were damaged by floodwaters in June.
Ongoing discussion about flood-related repairs and future mitigation efforts highlighted the Everly City Council's meeting on Monday.
The council reviewed two bids for fencing work at the city's sewage treatment ponds. The chain-link fence that surrounds the perimeter of the ponds was severely damaged during the flood in June, which necessitated repairs.
Action was tabled on the two submitted bids due to discrepancies in estimates. Mauer Company, of St. Paul and Omaha, submitted a bid of $112,000, while American Fence Company, of Sioux City, pegged the project at $35,069.21.
"I just keep wondering what's missing from this bid," said Council Member Jeff Wiemann.
Each side of the lagoon fence was damaged in some form during the flood. It was erected to keep deer out of the facility, as their hooves can puncture the ponds' rubber lining.
The council was concerned American Fence Company's bid was significantly lower than the other estimate because it neglected to account for portions of the repair project.
"We're talking a huge difference and that's why I'm reading all the fine print," said Council Member Tara Patrick. "I just have too many questions and I'm not comfortable approving anything tonight."
City staff will contact American Fence Company with questions before the council proceeds with the issue at a future meeting.
"We need more information," said Mayor Ron Thompson.
In other flood-related matters, City Clerk Kristi Fliss updated the council on the FEMA reimbursement process. She reported steady progress and noted a FEMA representative said the city could see money "in a couple of months."
The city is applying for reimbursement funds for debris removal, lagoon fence repair and a new trash pump. Additionally, Fliss noted that Christie Seivert will apply for local grants to help pay for new emergency bedding at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center. The facility is utilized as an emergency shelter and needs to be properly furnished should a future disaster necessitate its use.
• Approves couple's water mitigation project
Kyle and Rachel Ruba, 205 S Rumsey St., proposed a project that would require them to cut a portion of the road in order to lay a tile connecting to a drainage ditch near the water treatment facility. The Rubas plan to refill the disturbed portion of the road and cover it with crack-resistant Sakrete.
The diagonal cut will be approximately eight inches wide by 35 feet long. Six inches of concrete will be poured over top of the pipe, with two lines of rebar used to cover it and patch the road. A plastic grate will also be added to the end of the pipe to keep animals out.
"It's a pretty thorough project," Thompson said.
The goal of the project is to improve drainage for sump pumps and groundwater in the area. The Rubas currently have to run their sump hose overtop of the street to access the ditch on the other side, which is expensive. Rachel explained they have to replace hoses frequently as vehicle traffic gradually deteriorates their condition.
"There is a lot of water there," she said.
The council gave the project a stamp of approval. The Rubas estimated they could complete all work pertaining to the road within a weekend.
"I think we should allow anything they can do to help their situation," Wiemann said.
