The Granite Falls City Council hopes to keep feet dry and insurance rates from going sky high with the unanimous approval of a resolution to call for bids for an estimated $1.1 million in levee improvements.
The estimate includes both expected engineering and construction costs for portions of the city levee that are located behind the city garage and that run from the edge of the softball field to the railroad track that runs near the Martin Marietta quarry. Improvements to the levee located behind and just west of the softball and baseball fields were completed last year.
Said Mayor Dave Smiglewski, “It is certainly one of the most important projects we’ve undertaken here. It protects a lot of the city.”
In all, over 200 residential and commercial properties will be protected by the levee that is being raised above the current 100-year flood projections in accordance with FEMA standards. The certification is also expected to keep down flood insurance rates.
According to Jason Jacks of Stanley Consultants, the width of the dike road will remain the same as it is at present and the canoe access, located along the banks of the river after the city garage, will continue to be available.
The bids are set to be awarded on August 17, with the project’s final completion expected at the end of the year.
Concerning other upcoming flood mitigation projects, council members are still in the process of studying mitigation options that will protect homes located south of the old city hall along Prentice Street. They are also assisting Stony Run Township in developing a course of action to repair the washed out portion of the dike road located between the residences of Tom and Laurie Aus and Babe and Sherill Gatchell.
Other news:
•With the stock of mosquito spray near full depletion, council members approved an approximate $3,300 expenditure for the purchase of additional spray. According to City Manager Bill Lavin, Public Works Director Paul Krogstad had informed him that there was only enough solution for one more evening of spraying. The additional purchase, which will take the City approximately $1,700 over the spray materials’ $5,000 budget, will allow continued spraying throughout the rest of the season.
•Council members approved a resolution authorizing Smiglewski and Lavin to execute a contract with the State Office of Transit that commits the city to continue to provide the local share of the operation of the city’s transit system, Heartland Express.
The 2010 transit budget was $112,200, an assumed two percent increase brings the transit budget to $114,444 for 2011. The costs are split 80 percent, state and 20 percent, city.
•A bid to replace riprap along the east and west banks of the Minnesota River was awarded to Baker Brothers Construction, Inc. who presented a low bid of $26,252.
