(Shenandoah) — Planning continues for construction of Shenandoah’s new wastewater treatment plant
By unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Shenandoah City Council authorized additional action on a loan agreement for the issuance of up to $35 million in sewer revenue capital loan notes. Council members took action after no one spoke at a public hearing at the meeting’s outset. Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen tells KMA News the bonds pave the way for construction of a new wastewater treatment facility, replacing the existing plant built in 1963, and no longer meeting state and federal standards.
“We’ll get it updated, get it new where we can hope that it will last for the citizens another 60-70 years,” said McQueen. “Unfortunately, we put Band-Aid on it through the years, and for the amount of money it’s going to take to make repairs, it still could be shut down. We’re facing having to build a new one. That’s where we’re at on that.”
McQueen says the plant’s construction is expected to take at least two years. No timeline for the project is established. Also Tuesday night, the council unanimously approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s cemetery ordinance after a similar public hearing. Under the amendment, McQueen says the city’s park and recreation department would oversee the Rose Hill Cemetery’s operations, including the cemetery sexton.
“We would still have a sexton,” he said, “but, the sexton would report to the park and rec director. A lot of cities have already went to this, and with the retirement of our sexton, Sherry Gibilisco, we thought it was a good time to make this change. We have a lot of part-time people that work up there, and with it being under park and rec, we would have the availability.”
However, McQueen says the city would retain the cemetery board. The amendment’s second reading takes place at the council’s next regular meeting June 11th.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a letter of support for submission of an Iowa Economic Development Authority application to the state’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program. MALOJA Incorporated owner Margaret Brady requested the letter for renovation of two properties located on University Avenue. The application requires a $1,000 per unit match from the city.
By a 4-1 vote, the council approved a request for a temporary exclusion from Chapter 93 of the city’s water conservation ordinance as requested by a resident, and recommended by the resident’s healthcare provider. McQueen says the exclusion would allow a citizen to fill a swimming pool through a doctor’s recommendation. Council member Toni Graham cast the lone dissenting vote.
And, the council approved a resolution allowing City Attorney Mahlon Sorensen, City Administrator A.J. Lyman and City Clerk/Treasurer Karla Gray to continue negotiations with the Legacy 3 Theater regarding an unspecified issue. Council members approved the resolution following a half-hour closed session.