May 2000

Click on the area that you would like to jump to:

	NEW TURBINE ARRIVES!
	LET’S TALK SEWER BACKUPS
	Stop sign & traffic signal violations
	CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS & PHONE NUMBERS
	IMU DEPARTMENT HEADS & PHONE NUMBERS
	MEETING NOTICE
	Mayor & City Council
	IMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
	CABLE CHANNEL 12
	2000 seal coat project
	NOTICE Electric Customers
	Hydrant meters
	COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY PROGRESSING
	PUBLIC NOTICE
	THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA
	DRINKING WATER WEEK OPEN HOUSE
	STRATEGIC PLANNING
	Salem / Ashland
	South “G” & 12th STREET SEWER PROJECT
	2000 INDIANOLA GARDEN TOUR SCHEDULED
	CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
	Newsletter Archives

NEW TURBINE ARRIVES!

The new GE Frame 5 Model Ms5001P gas turbine generator was delivered on Saturday, March 25th on a 19 axle trailer that had to be carefully maneuvered down Highway 65/69 and then east on Iowa Avenue.  The turbine was manufactured in 1982 by Alstrom in France and previously operated in Dumman, Saudi Arabia.  It was rebuilt to new specifications by a GE shop in Saudi Arabia in 1999 before being shipped to the United States.

The new turbine is scheduled to be operational by early summer and will provide approximately 20MW of new generation capacity that will meet the Indianola electric demand well into the future.  In fact, our projections indicate it will cover our future electric demand until the year 2016.

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LET’S TALK SEWER BACKUPS

Sewer backup claims can be a “stinky” headache for everyone involved.  Usually an innocent homeowner wakes up to a flooded basement and looks to the city for relief.  The city employees and officials, who in most cases have done nothing to cause the problem, are often the target for complaints.

  Unfortunately, most sewer backups are caused by situations completely out of the control the city.  A child decided he liked the big splash his toy train made just before flushing.  A local restaurant used the sewer as a disposal for excess cooking grease.  Or torrential spring rains overfilled all sewer lines, causing multiple sewer backups. During dry spells it has been speculated that tree roots may invade the sewer lines seeking moisture. In these cases, the city does not have a legal obligation to pay for the claimant’s damages since they occurred beyond its control.

  We would like to remind you to check with your insurance agent about adding  sewer backup coverage to your homeowners insurance.

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Stop sign & traffic signal violations

In 1997 the Indianola City Council directed the police department to step-up enforcement of speeding violations throughout the city, but more particularly, in residential areas.  As a result, the officers increased their output of speeding citations 52.6% and 68% respectively in 1998 and 1999.  Throughout 2000 and beyond, we will continue to assertively enforce speeding violations.  You may have noticed the city has placed reminder signs throughout the city to encourage voluntary compliance to speed restrictions.  During the summer months the department has used, and will continue to use, a mobile speed display in specified problems areas throughout the city.  This display is designed to remind drivers to check their speed regularly and also gives motorists a convenient opportunity to check the accuracy of their vehicle’s speedometer. 

   At the March 6, 2000 city council meeting it was suggested that in addition to speeding violations, the department also place special emphasis on enforcement of stop sign and traffic signal violations.  A recent National Transportation Safety Bureau traffic study has revealed that drivers nationwide are failing to heed stop signs and traffic signals.  Property damage, personal injuries and deaths are all too often the result of these violations. 

  In accordance with the wishes of the city council and a sincere desire to make the streets of Indianola safer for all of our residents, the officers will be instructed to seek out and enforce stop sign and traffic signal violations.  Also, periodically during the next year, enforcement teams will be dispatched to monitor and enforce violations at specified intersections.  Out of necessity, the officer will at times utilize unmarked vehicles to detect these violations.

  If it were the intent of the department to simply increase the number of citations, we would make no effort to forewarn motorists of our intentions.  This is not the desire of  either the council of the department.  Preferably, all drivers will take special note and voluntarily comply with all of our traffic laws.

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CITY OF INDIANOLA DEPARTMENT HEADS & PHONE NUMBERS

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IMU DEPARTMENT HEADS & PHONE NUMBERS

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MEETING NOTICE

City Council Meetings

1st & 3rd Monday

7:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

Council Study Committee

2nd Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

Board of Trustees Meetings

2nd & 4th Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

Parks & Rec. Commission

2nd Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Training Room

Substance Abuse & Risk Behavior Commission

3rd Wednesday of Month

Library Board

2nd Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

Public Library

Planning & Zoning Commission

2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

Youth Commission

2nd & 4th Monday, 7:30 p.m.

South Chambers, City Hall

Board of Adjustment

1st Wednesday of Month

Call City Clerk’s Office

To verify times and locations

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Mayor & City Council

Mayor

Jerry Kelley

961-9414 (W)

961-5177 (H)

City Council

First Ward

Tom Palme-961-0015

Second Ward

Ed McLuen-961-3467

Third Ward

Shirley Clark-961-6553

Fourth Ward

Tim McNeley-961-6987

At Large

Ken Bendon-961-3574

At Large

Mark Vickroy-961-6185

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IMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chairperson

Gary Ruble-961-6664

Vice Chairperson

Kim Tierney Keller-961-2344

Secretary

David Zwanziger-961-7895

Board Members

Bradley K. Butler-961-7977

Shelley Lucas—961-6546

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CABLE CHANNEL 12

For the latest City Government news, The latest agendas, information & updates throughout the Week

Telecast of City Council Meetings

1st & 3rd Wednesday at 7:00

Board of Trustee Meetings:

2nd Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Fax Number
515-961-9402

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2000 seal coat project

In an effort to lengthen the life of asphalt streets, the city approved a contract with Sta Bilt Construction to provide seal coating.  The process involves a liquid asphalt emulsion spread on the street followed by pea gravel.  The seal coat project will only take about 3-4 days and is scheduled for this summer.  Affected property owners will be notified in advance.  Following is a list of streets to be seal coated:

Street	From	To
“B” Street	Ashland	Boston
Boston	Buxton	“B” Street
Boston	“B” Street	“C” Street
“C” Street	Clinton	Boston
“C” Street	Boston	Ashland
“C” Street	Ashland	Salem
“D” Street	Salem	Ashland
“F” Street	Highway 92	Detroit
“G” Street	Highway 92	West 1st St.
West 1st St.	“F” Street	“E” Street
North 1st St.	Henderson	Girard
“D” Street	Salem	Highway 92
South 15th St.	Plainview North	1,615’ MC 70

The City and the contractor are committed to working with you to minimize any problems that may arise during the project.  Thank you for your cooperation and if you need additional information please contact City Manager, Tim Zisoff at 961-9410.

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NOTICE
Electric Customers of  Indianola Municipal Utilities

To assist our customers in resolving complaints relative to the Indianola Municipal Utility Electric Service, we ask that you contact the utility at the following address and telephone number:

110 N. 1st Street

PO Box 299

Indianola, Iowa  50125

(515) 961-9410

If your complaint is related to service disconnection, safety or renewable energy, and Indianola Municipal Utilities does not resolve your complaint, you may request assistance from:

     The Utilities Division

     Iowa Department Of Commerce

     Lucas State Office Building

     Des Moines, Iowa  50319

     (515) 281-5979

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Hydrant meters

Hydrant meters may be installed for watering new sod, seeding, landscaping, ground settling or other commercial or private uses subject to availability on a first-come first-serve basis.  A non-refundable connection fee of $25 must be paid at the City Clerk’s office before the meter is installed.  After the meter has been removed (a maximum of two weeks) the customer will be billed for the water used at the current commercial water rate with no sewer charge.  The individual requesting the meter will be responsible for all costs involved for the water used and any damage to the meter and/or attachments furnished by IMU.

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COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY PROGRESSING

   The installation of the IMU fiber optics communications system in Indianola is now complete.  This project was initiated in July, 1999 and the system is now available for use.  Indianola Municipal Utilities, Indianola Community Schools, Warren County, the City of Indianola and Simpson College are now linked through the fiber system.

  All of the above entities are partners in the installation of this fiber system, both financially and operationally.  Each partner paid for the individual fibers they currently need in their operations and the equipment at each site to meet their individual needs.  In addition, IMU installed extra fibers in the system for future applications.

  The initial investment of $600,000 for this system will provide many unique opportunities, both now with the daily responsibilities of each partnering entity, and also in the future with private business applications and possible extensions into Internet access and high speed information transfer.  IMU has also justified this original investment as an economic development tool.  Many potential businesses could be attracted to Indianola knowing they would have availability to a high-speed link to the world.

  The fiber system allows data to be exchanged at an extremely high speed compared to telephone lines.  IMU will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities and study technological changes to improve and enhance the capability of the fiber system so every Indianola citizen can have access to this new fiber network.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Indianola Municipal Utilities (IMU) will be replacing the traffic signal poles on Highway 65/69 beginning on or about May 1st, at the intersections of Euclid Avenue, Ashland Avenue, Salem Avenue, and Highway 92.

During this replacement process the traffic signals may be in a “flashing” mode until all four poles are replaced.  No intersections will be without traffic control signals overnight.

If you have any questions concerning the traffic signal and pole replacement plans, please call IMU at 961-9444.

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THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA

The Indianola Fire Department would like to thank the community for helping raise the money to buy two Thermal Imaging Cameras.  Two Bullard Thermal Imagining Cameras will be ordered by the end of April with an anticipated delivery date sometime in May.  Thank you for helping us so that we can help you.

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DRINKING WATER WEEK OPEN HOUSE

Drinking Water Week will be observed the week of May 7th—13th this year.  IMU will join thousands of other communities across the nation in celebrating the benefits of clean, safe drinking water.  An open house will be held at the Water Plant (1602 S. “K” St.)  on Tuesday, May 9th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be free food, give aways and door prize drawings.  There will also be activities for children including a coloring contest and face painting.  Tours of the water facility will also be available.  We hope you plan to join us that evening.

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STRATEGIC PLANNING

The Steering Committee met April 25th with organizations in the community to facilitate their goals and objectives for the city’s strategic plan.  They looked at the following:

·         What are community organizations doing & how does it fit with the strategic plan?

·         Are there efficiencies that can be gained by either combining our efforts and/or eliminating duplication of our efforts?

·         How can those organizations help accomplish the strategic plan goals & objectives?

·         Can we improve communication between the organizations?

A summary of this meeting will be forthcoming.  A complete community input survey is available at the City Clerk’s Office.

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Salem / Ashland

Construction has begun on the Salem/Ashland paving project at Ashland Ave. from “C” Street to Buxton and from Howard to Jefferson.  The project will then continue as follows:

·         Phase 2: Ashland from “G” to “C” Street,

·         Phase 3: Salem from Jefferson to 4th St. 

·         Phase 4: Approximately June 1, 2000 the full width replacement of Salem from “B” to Hwy. 65/69 & on Ashland from “C” to Hwy 65/69 will be completed. 

·         Phase 5: Salem Avenue & “F” Street intersection will then be completed.

·         Laying of sod will be delayed until the late summer/fall season. 

A completion date is scheduled for November 1, 2000 (weather permitting).  If you have any questions please contact City Manager, Tim Zisoff, 961-9410.  

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South “G” & 12th STREET SEWER PROJECT

Construction began on the South “G” and 12th Street Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project on April 10th.  Working hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday—Thursday and from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.  No work will be done on weekends.  Work will progress as follow:

April 10-21
Intersection of 12th & “K” St. to the intersection of 12th & “G”

April 24-May 12
Intersection of 12th & “G” Street to in front of 606 “G” Street

April 17-28
Middle of pasture west of “K” St. to intersection of 12th & “K”-directional boring will begin

May 1-12
Intersection of 12th & “G” St. to the  south end of the line

If you have any questions please contact City Manager Tim Zisoff at 961-9410.

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2000 INDIANOLA GARDEN TOUR SCHEDULED

The beauty and delight of visiting local gardens will be made available this summer through the Indianola Garden Tour scheduled to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday July 1.  The tour is being sponsored by the Indianola Chamber of Commerce’s Relight Indianola Committee and the Indianola Grow and Glow Garden Club.  The garden locations will be announced at a later date.

The Chamber’s proceeds from ticket sales will be used to purchase and maintain the Christmas wreaths around the square and street decoration for the City of Indianola.

 Advanced tickets are available for $6 at the Chamber office, 515 N. Jefferson, Suite D; Mary’s Hallmark Shop, McCoy True Value & Just Ask Rental; Midwest Heritage Bank/Hy Vee; or by calling the Grow and Glow Garden Club representative, Bev Nicholls at 961-2126. Tickets the day of the tour are available for $8 at each garden location.  For more information contact the Chamber at 961-6469.

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CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Spring has finally arrived and many people will be completing spring planting projects and other yard work.  When planning your projects that require any digging, please remember that there may be underground utilities that you need to avoid.  Plan ahead and BEFORE you dig have these utilities located and marked.

This one free phone call will provide you with locates for ALL underground  utilities on your property in the area where you are completing your project.

Call Iowa One Call at 1-800-292-8989 at least 48 hours before you dig. 

The call is FREE and so is the locating service.

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Newsletter Archives

March  2000

January 2000

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