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Monona's annexation plans proceeding

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By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The city of Monona’s plan to voluntarily annex 13 property parcels on the city’s southeast boundary is moving forward, now that all property owners have filed written applications with the city. 

A public notice stating the city’s intent was published last week. City administrator Dan Canton said the city’s attorney, Greg Schiller, has also notified the Clayton County Board of Supervisors.

The council can consider a resolution for annexation at its Monday, June 4 meeting, Canton shared. If the resolution is adopted, a letter will then be sent to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Once that office acknowledges the annexation, the city can notify utilities and other local stakeholders of the change. The Secretary of the Treasury will also be notified that the city will add three residents to its population.

Trail improvements spark discussion

The council ultimately approved preliminary plans and specifications for construction of the proposed recreational trail improvement project that will connect the city’s butterfly garden and trail with Gateway Park, but not without some reservations.

The proposed route will run close to the 125th Street/Spruce Street intersection with Highway 18/52, a location councilman Dan Havlicek fears could be dangerous.

“People are turning that corner fast,” he said, adding that he’d previously brought up the concern, but was told by the engineer it would take too much fill to go an alternate route. “I’m looking at it as a safety factor, not if it’s going to cost more.”

Fehr Graham, the engineering firm working on the project, estimates the total cost will be $192,000, a large portion of which will be covered by a REAP grant.

Before the 6 p.m. meeting, Havlicek said he spent time watching the intersection, and encouraged others to watch the traffic flow around 5 p.m./5:30 p.m., a busy time of the day.

Councilwoman Heather Lange said traffic would also likely increase once the Dollar General Store across the highway is completed later this summer.

“I’m not trying to hold the whole project up,” Havlicek explained. He simply wanted to address the issue before the project proceeded too far.

Councilman Andrew Meyer said he understood Havlicek’s concerns, but mentioned ADA grading restrictions may prevent the route from being changed.

Luckily, said city administrator Canton, the plans are preliminary.

“It’s not final. If you decide you want to change something, you can do that,” he said. “If we have concerns, now is the time.”

He encouraged the council to proceed with scheduling a May 21 public hearing on the proposed plans/specifications, form of contract, estimate of cost and receiving of bids for the project, a suggestion the council followed. In the meantime, he said he would work with the engineer to see how best to move forward.

Sanitary sewer extension will start in late June

The council authorized the construction contract /documents with Bacon Concrete for the South Main Street sanitary sewer extension. Canton said the project will commence the week of June 25 and wrap up in late July.

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