More power lines may be buried in FD

Council looks to extend underground wires

By BILL SHEA Messenger staff writer

More overhead power lines along Fifth Avenue South in Fort Dodge may be disappearing underground by the end of the year.

The majority of City Council members said Monday night that they are in favor of burying the power lines and yanking out the utility poles between 29th and 32nd streets.

Such a project would continue the effort that buried power lines between 21st and 29th streets last year.

Councilman Andy Fritz said he's noticed a lot of public appreciation for the new underground utilities.

''I've heard nothing but good comments,'' he said. ''People think it's a great thing.''

Fritz joined council members Dave Flattery, Margy Halverson-Collins, Kelly Hindman, Curt Olson and Robert ''Barney'' Patterson in signaling their support for the project.

Councilman Don Wilson said he would wait to get reaction from the public before making a decision.

''We haven't got the input from the citizens at this point,'' he said.

City Manager David Fierke estimated the cost of the job at $1.1 million. He said it would be financed with a charge added to the monthly bills of MidAmerican Energy customers. For residential customers, that charge is estimated at $2.56.

Beginning with the bills that will arrive in April, MidAmerican Energy customers will start paying for the completed work between 21st and 29th streets. Residential customers are expected to pay an estimated $5 a month.

The council may approve the burying of the power lines during its Feb. 22 meeting.

In other business Monday, Lori Branderhorst, the director of parks, recreation and forestry, reported that the aquatic center now under construction is expected to open in mid-June. That's about two weeks later than the June 1 opening date that was previously announced. Weather-related construction delays pushed back the opening day, she said.

The $8.95 million aquatic center will be located near 10th Avenue North and 32nd Street. It will consist of an eight-lane lap pool with diving boards and slides, a shallow pool for young children featuring water toys and a pool with three large slides connected to a channel called a lazy river.

On Monday council members looked at proposed budgets for the city's inspection and planning services, which are part of the Department of Business Affairs and Community Growth.

The proposed inspections budget is $158,000, which is nearly the same as the current budget of $157,126. The city will continue to have two full-time inspectors under the proposed budget.

The planning budget for 2010-2011 is set at $328,100. The current budget is $348,824. A part-time government affairs/grant writer position will be eliminated.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net