Justin Christensen of DGR spoke to council about the street repair needs after the council approved its consent agenda. The consent agenda included renewal of leases for Kids’ Kampus and the Primghar Community Building. The golf board report was approved. Much of the report discussed repairs, the computerized league handicapping system and discussion of the Cobblestone Days tournament. The library report shared information about circulation, the EIC grant, the sale of library property to M. Ginger and the summer library program. The Primghar Library received $4285 from the Early Childhood grant and purchased materials to enhance their STEAM programming. The sale of property to the neighbors to the north was declined and the summer program started with 52 kids registered. Treats honoring Marian Ginger’s 18 years as a Library Trustee were shared. A minimum 7% wage increase for library employees was proposed to the City Council.
Christensen reported to the Council the need for repairs to several sections of street throughout Primghar following a street-by-street assessment. He explained that pricing for some sections seemed inconsistent with other sections because of the required work in particular places. He identified 4th Street NE & Highway 59 as one of those blocks. He noted that there is not fire hydrant there and the water line is quite small. His estimate includes addressing the size of the water line. He also suggested the council consider other water updates where street repairs may complement water or sewer line work at the same time. His rough estimate to Council for 7 street repairs was $843,000. That includes a rehabilitation project on 5th Street SE in Leng Addition. Financing options discussed included property assessments. No decisions were made.
The sale of 280 North Welch to Primghar Advancement Corporation received no comments and the sale passed.
A public hearing for a budget revision was set for August 10, 2022. A fire truck purchase needs to be moved from the fiscal 2022 budget to the fiscal 2023 budget. A transformer and generator also were not included in the budget development. The generator bid was awarded per recommendation of DGR Engineering.
The outstanding debt report is ready for submission to the state. Currently, 2 sewer bonds and a street general obligation bond remain on the city’s books. All are due in 4 years or less. The city did borrow from the electric fund. Downtown TIF funds are earmarked to repay that $497,000.