An update on the dam project costs was presented to the Manawa Common Council at its Dec. 17 meeting.
Total costs are currently $255,417.39. Finance and Personnel Committee Chair Mary Eck noted that this is “not necessarily a final number.”
The updated total included: Ruzic Construction $181,672.40; Mead & Hunt $51,849.79; archeological study $3,629; mussel survey $1,310; city wages $2,986.31; miscellaneous (printing, lumber, mail) $869.89; and Staab, first phase $13,100.
Eck presented her committee’s recommendation to use $37,829 from the dam fund towards payment for the dam repairs.
Also, the town of Little Wolf wants their entire share of the local government pool fund ($14,462) put towards the recent dam repairs.
“That will reduce the amount we will need to borrow,” Eck said.
It had been anticipated that about $250,000 would need to be borrowed to pay for the repairs; this amount will now be about $200,000.
The transactions will leave about $20,000 in the dam fund, in case it is needed. At the beginning of 2013, the municipalities will deposit their share into the fund, which will be $7,500 for the city of Manawa, or 75 percent, and $2,500 for the town of Little Wolf, or 25 percent.
The council approved the recommendation.
Other business
Fire Chief Mark Levezow offered some tips for holiday safety, including not leaving tree lights on when no one is at home, and remembering to water Christmas trees.
“I’d just as soon not come to your house for the holidays,” he said.
In other business, the council accepted the Schierl Companies’ gas bid for 2013.
The bid from The Store was similar to the other bid from Mobil’s Park N’ Shop, with both offering gasoline and diesel fuel at a five-cent per gallon discount.
“Since (the bids) are exactly the same, we went with the most convenient for the city to use,” Eck said.
The council also approved the Improvements and Services Committee’s recommendation to leave the gate at Lindsay Park open during the day and closed at night. It was agreed that the city’s Department of Public Works employees would open the gate at 7 a.m. and the Manawa Police Department will close the gate at 5 p.m. daily.
2012 budget amended
After a public hearing, the council approved amending the 2012 budget.
Original revenues of $692,381.74 were amended to $743,418.22, adding $51,036.48. Original expenses of $1,447.186.53 were amended to $1,898,233.01, adding $451,036.48.
The amendment was necessary to adjust revenue and expenditures to reflect the increase in revenues and expenses because of borrowing and paying for the dam project.
Other items affecting the budget total included: transferred money from the local government pool to pay for library and clerk computer expenses, elections and clinic; a donation to repair the tennis courts; transferring money from the local government pool to pay for Mill Street; and acceptance of the LRIP grant.
The council also approved renewing the city’s $250,000 line of credit with Premier Community Bank for another year.
Election workers
The council approved election poll workers and special voting deputies for 2013.
Election workers are: Dorothy Krueger, Dianne Fossum, Bill Nemschoff, Barbara Forsythe, Elaine Pethke, Floyd Gerl, Sara Miller, Barb Baumgartner, Mona Golla-Kolosso and Mary Eck.
Certified as head election inspectors are the city clerk, deputy clerk, Dorothy Krueger, Floyd Gerl and Barbara Baumgartner.
It was noted that all election workers may serve as special voting deputies for the Manawa Nursing Home and as registration deputies.