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September 2000
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Turbine update
As many of you are aware, the Board of Trustees of Indianola Municipal Utilities (IMU) purchased a 22-megawatt (MW) combustion turbine that, when installed, will add to our ability to generate electricity for Indianola. In fact, the generation capacity will increase from our current level of 31.2MW to 50.75MW, thereby providing enough electricity to serve Indianola for the next 12-15 years.
The installation of the turbine began on March 26th, the day the unit was delivered from Saudi Arabia to Indianola. The work has been very intensive and complex and included receipt of installation drawings and engineering details, connecting the component pieces of the unit together and delivery of replacement parts and equipment. Site work included installation of a water injection system and storage tank and construction of a control building to house sensitive operational equipment. The substation also was modified to include the addition of a transformer and other electric equipment that will assist in the distribution of the new electricity to all locations in Indianola.
Our goal of having the turbine operational by June 1st was missed. However, the good news is that the weather this summer was milder than past summers and IMU was able to meet our electric demand without the generation from the new turbine. The Board is very aware of the current status of the installation and is committed to see it through to completion.
Although the operation of the turbine was not finished by June 1st, IMU still will be able to provide dependable, low cost electricity to Indianola. With the Boards decision to invest in a second turbine, IMU is in a position to provide electricity to all of Indianola for many years and still have excess capacity to market to other users who are in need of generation. You can be assured that the Board of Trustees and employees of IMU are looking out for your interests and will continue to make decisions based on the best possible options for you, the ratepayers.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail Mark Ramthun, General Manager at [email protected] or call 961-9440.
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Completing home improvement projects for the winter?
IMU offers rebates for attic insulation improvements and window replacements. If you are getting your house ready for the coming cold months be sure to contact us at 961-9444 for information on these rebate programs.
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WINNERS OF WATER QUIZ
The following people were winners of an automatic water timer for submitting the answers to the quiz included with the annual Water Quality Report: Glen Smith, Lonnie Burkholder, Genelle Truitt, Carol Grover, and Carma Fehrer. These 5 winners were selected from 40 contestants who returned the completed quiz for their name to be placed in the drawing. Answers to the quiz questions were found in IMUs 1999 Water Quality Report which was mailed to residents in July. Congratulations to all of you!
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A LITTLE COLOR ADDS A LOT
Indianolas square received a bit of color this summer. A 6-foot-wide strip of red concrete, with a brick pattern that wraps around the curb, was added at each intersection. The strip was added to beautify the square and to blend in with the new, old-fashion-style streetlights being installed.
Work was only done a corner at a time, since when using colored concrete, the whole batch for an area has to be mixed and poured at once to ensure color consistency. It took about four days to complete an intersection.
The West Salem Avenue crosswalk sports its new red color and brick design.
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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 Clerks 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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BIKING AROUND TOWN
Looking for a new way to see Indianola? Try viewing the city by bike.
A designated five-mile on-street loop, the trail passes by several parks, tennis courts and schools, and goes completely around the city. The trail is a signed route, indicating to both bicyclists and vehicle drivers that certain streets are shared by both. It also helps alert motor vehicle drivers to be aware of the bicyclists and to drive with extreme caution. The route is marked, is for two-way use and is a comprehensive citywide trail plan.
Not up for a five-mile ride? The 1.85-mile McVay Trail is an off-street trail between East Fifth Street and Pickard Park. Completed in 1994, an extension was added in front of the Middle School during the summer of 1997. The hard-surfaced trail is handicapped accessible for walking and biking.
Maps are available at the Indianola Parks and Recreation Office, 110 N. First St.
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POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFERS OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Indianola Police Department offers several community education programs. Officers are available to speak to service, civic, education, church or neighborhood associations on various topics. Groups may also schedule self-defense tactics classes through the department. There are two officers trained to conduct self-defense classes.
Homeowners may request a home security evaluation, as well. When a home security request is received, the department sends an officer to the residence to look over the dwelling. The officer then evaluates the homes security weaknesses and strengths and gives the homeowner advice on how to remedy possible breaches of security.
For more information on these and other outreach programs, contact the Indianola Police Department at 961-9400.
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STRATEGIC PLAN MOVES FORWARD
After plowing through hundreds of surveys and facilitating several town meetings, a draft of Indianolas Strategic Plan is ready for committee review before submission to the Indianola City Council.
The draft plan, prepared by Dunbar and Jones Partnership of Des Moines, sets out five goals and objectives along with a mission statement to help guide the development of Indianola. Those goals and the committee co-chairs are as follows:
· Goal 1: Broaden tax base and opportunities by intensifying efforts to expand industry, business, retail, and jobs - Bruce Haddox and Susan Judkins
· Goal 2: Maintain/improve municipal services and infrastructure - Edie Butler and Chris Boone
· Goal 3: Plan for balanced growth that integrates all elements of the community - Ardene Downing and Sid Corbin
· Goal 4: Improve Indianolas transportation and traffic system - Dave Zwanziger and Dave Moeller
· Goal 5: Improve Indianolas image and sense of community by enhancing the appearance and function of the square and strengthening city beautification efforts - Joe Walt and Cathy Coffman.
Grant Johnson has been tapped to oversee the committees for each of these goals. He also serves on the Indianola School Board, holds an MBA from University of Iowa and is Chief Financial Officer and partner for a market research and consultation firm, Crawford, Johnson & Northcott of Johnston.
Johnsons responsibility will be to make sure members stay focused while preparing a final draft of the plan to present to the Indianola City Council. Deadline for presentation to the council is early this fall.
Ill be overseeing a group of individuals whose task is to implement what Indianola residents have identified as priorities, Johnson said. They will be creating a document the city can use when making plans for things like annexation, parks, transportation and other issues of growth and development.
Anyone who would like more information on the strategic plan, should contact RoxAnne Hunerdosse, Assistant to the City Manager, at 961-9410. A copy of the Strategic Plan Draft can also be found on the citys website at cityofindianola.com.
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65/69 WIDENING MOVES FORWARD
By the end of October, Indianola travelers on U.S. Highway 65-69 should experience less congestion.
The highway, also known through town as Jefferson Way, will be widened to include a center turn lane from Kentucky south to Girard. New traffic signals will be erected at the intersection of Jefferson Way and Clinton Avenue while green turning arrows will be added to the signal at Iowa Avenue. Traffic signals will be synchronized as well to allow for smoother flow, especially during peak commuting times.
Once work begins, the east lane of northbound Jefferson Way will be closed. Also, access to some businesses along the route will be limited.
The work will be done by Nuckolls Construction of Des Moines, with grating and demolition by Vanderpool Construction of Indianola and electrical work by Baker Electric. Total cost for the project is expected to be around $720,000 and paid by IDOT.
Jefferson Way will help ease congestion on the heavily traveled route through town. It will also increase safety, especially at dangerous intersections like Iowa Avenue and Jefferson Way. Drivers will have a turn lane and lead green arrows so they arent forced to make left-hand turns against cross traffic.
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FIRE DEPT. RECEIVES NEW TRUCK
The Indianola Fire Department took delivery on a new rescue pumper on June 26. The $290,000 truck replaces a pumper that was 20 years old.
According to Brian Seymour, Indianola Fire Chief, the department simply outgrew the old truck. It had been modified several times to carry more equipment. Not designed to carry the extra weight caused by that equipment, the previous truck ran at turtle speed. The truck was sold to the Lucas Fire Department.
Fire protection standards require a city the size of Indianola to have two pumpers. The new truck will be used primarily for vehicle fires and extrication, trench rescues and other specialty rescues. With a custom-built HME chassis built by Toyne of Breda, Iowa, Seymour said the new pumper should last another 20 years.
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HOMEOWNERS ASKED TO REPAIR SIDEWALKS
This is the year for inspection of city sidewalks. Instituted every other year, the city inspects all the sidewalks in town for a more than 1-inch drop or multiple cracks that are determined to be unsafe. The unsafe areas are marked with bright pink paint.
Residents then receive a follow-up letter from the city asking them to repair the damage within 30 days. Re-inspection is performed afterwards for compliance.
Tree limbs and shrubs that overhang a sidewalk will also be targeted. Homeowners will receive a letter asking that limbs and shrubs be cut back or removed.
Also being inspected are city intersections where sidewalks cross. Repairs will be made to those intersections needing them, including making them handicap accessible.
Homeowners can make sidewalk repairs themselves or hire the work out to a contractor. If making the repairs themselves, however, homeowners must adhere to sidewalk specifications.
If repairs are not made within 30 days, a second notification letter is sent. Repairs not completed after the second notification will be made by a contractor hired by the city with the cost assessed to the homeowner. Bills not paid after 30 days are added to homeowners taxes.
For more information about the sidewalk program or for instructions on replacing sidewalks, call Chuck Burgin or Mike Smith at the Indianola Planning and Zoning Office, 961-9410.
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PUBLIC POWER WEEK 2000
The first week of October will be the annual Public Power Week celebration for 2000. IMU will join thousands of other communities across the nation in celebrating the benefits of a locally owned public power utility. Everyone is invited to attend our annual open house which will be held Tuesday, October 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the power plant located at 111 South Buxton Street. There will be food, door prizes, electric safety demonstrations and equipment demonstrations. Guided tours of the power plant facilities will also be given.
Public Power Week is a national celebration of the benefits of hometown, community-owned electric utilities, said Mark Ramthun, IMU General Manager. Our electric utility operates to benefit the entire community, as well as provide safe, reliable power and high-quality customer services, all at low rates. We have served Indianola for over 100 years and we look forward to serving this communitys needs for many years to come.
Please join us on October 3rd for our open house. We have many fun events planned and we believe that you will learn a lot about your community-owned electric utility.
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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
On Thursday, October 12, 2000 the Indianola Fire Department will be hosting an open house in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. There will be station tours, fire truck displays, the Blank Childrens Hospital smoke house, fire demonstrations, firefighter dressing contest, snacks and above all fire prevention and safety information. Life safety is the most important part of the fire departments mission.
Please join the Indianola Fire Department on October 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
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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 Clerks Office
To verify times and locations
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Newsletter Archives
July 2000
May 2000
March 2000
January 2000
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