by Mari Radtke
Logan Schmidt with DGR Engineer attended to share information requested by Utility Superintendent Kelly Top about a water treatment facility for Paullina. The lengthy presentation was casual and conversational and in no way binding. He talked about what it takes to build and operate a treatment facility. He explained determining the need – hardness or other chemicals and minerals in the water. Paullina’s need is not particularly big.
The Paullina water is drawn from what Schmidt described as a “shallow Alluvial well.” Water tests for Paullina indicate the water has slightly elevated levels of Manganese. Manganese is not a regulated contaminant but it does rate an advisory for continuous consumption. He identified it also as an “emerging contaminant.”
Schmidt outlined the procedure and key measures to determine the overall condition of the city’s water system. Evaluation begins with a hydraulic analysis, then pipe condition, calibration (which is even flow pressure from hydrant to hydrant) and prioritizing needs. Flow pressures are important for several reasons, but a big issue is how well the system can support fire fighting. Water pressure affects insurance rates.
A discussion of cost and financing options took place. A federal loan program has 2 years left. If a community qualifies it can receive 30-40% forgiveness. There is also low interest Iowa Department of Natural Resources revolving loan fund or a USDA rural development loan. Other financing options for the $20-30,000 needed for planning the project were shared and other details. No decisions were made.
A&B IT Solutions presented a very generous contract for the 2025 IT maintenance business. A&B was awarded the contract in 2023 after local vendor John Ihle’s computer system was discarded. The generosity of A&B stems from a year (2024) of continuous IT problems including telephone and server connectivity. The proposed contract was slashed by half, from about $750.00 to $377.93. Additionally some outstanding payments due to the company were also slashed. The council accepted the reduced contract amount.
Cain Junkman, a part time Paullina police officer and part time Sutherland police officer is also a certified dog officer. He has K9 officer, Oliver. Council approved the K9 policy which is very similar to Sutherland’s.
Two newspapers submitted interest in publishing Paullina’s legal notices. The Northwest Iowa Review of Sheldon was awarded the business despite the local newspaper offering a discounted rate from the state’s maximum allowable charge. Councilperson Nicole Jacobs moved with Jean Unrau seconding. Steven Heeren spoke about supporting local businesses only to have Jacobs make disparaging and false comments about O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier, published in Paullina. She charged that nothing Paullina is published, it is a Primghar and Sutherland newspaper. She did not cite any specifics. She said she was looking out for citizens’ interests. Councilman Dennis Werkmeister then interjected that the would be to take the lowest cost. She retorted, “you aren’t changing my mind!” Unrau and Carol Honkomp remained silent throughout the exchanges.
No financials were presented to council again. The claim is that they will be presented at the Feb. 3 council meeting. City Clerk Michelle Wilson said she has the cash balance between city’s books and bank statements to within about $50.
A budget workshop is set for Wednesday January 29 at 6:30pm at City Hall. A preliminary budget will be considered based on department requests that night (presumably) with a date to be set in February to hold a public hearing in April. A public hearing for the proposed tax levy is to be held in March.