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Medalists: Clarke, CD wrestlers on
• Legislative luncheon
The first legislative forum sponsored by Clarke County Development Corporation is planned noon Friday at Lakeside Casino. Lunch will be provided.
medal stand at John J. Harris
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156 YEARS • NO. 4
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016
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Cost of potential redesign of CCRC’s ongoing reservoir project skyrockets By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
The costs for a newly designed reservoir project in northern Clarke County are, to say it lightly, eyebrow-raising. Mark Duben, water section manager and vice president of HDR Inc. of Des Moines, presented a cost analysis and background information on the task order during a Clarke County Reservoir (CCRC) meeting Thursday, Jan. 21. Duben reported the alternative spillway concept resulted in an estimated cost increase of nearly $22 million, including structural and overall construction contingencies. “Trying to do something significantly smaller at the same site and handling the same flows is the result of this analysis,” Duben said. “It’s a lot more money for a lot less water stored.” Basically, the Squaw Creek watershed area was chosen for a reason with the original reservoir design, and significantly altering it while trying to still gain the same results, can skew the costs. Original plan The original plan was for CCRC to build a reservoir project located in northwest Clarke County. The reservoir was to provide a water supply for Osceola and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) with an 816-acre lake, which could provide 2.2 million gallons of water per day. West Lake, the current water source, doesn’t meet
“It’s a lot more money for a lot less water stored.” — Mark Duben
Analysis provider, HDR Inc. of Des Moines
the needs of Clarke County and SIRWA. Funding for the project includes many sources, especially funding from the local-option sales tax. However, there have been many legislative setbacks and issues with landowners and eminent domain, which has caused CCRC to look into reducing the design of the reservoir. New task order findings This is the task order for hydrology and hydraulics for a reduced-size pool at dam site 4B. Principal and auxiliary alternatives were investigated to determine the maximum size of a normal pool that can be feasibly developed given the commission’s current land ownership constraints at dam site 4B. These constraints may require the original design top of dam elevation of 1,021 be reduced to constrain the maximum pool level to downstream of 180th Avenue and Osage Street. This corresponds to a top of dam elevation of approximately 1,005 feet. A reduced top of dam elevation results in reduced flood storage for a given normal pool elevation and requires higher Please see NEW COSTS, Page 4
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Chuck Snell, left, receives the 2016 Community Service Award from Dave Selene, 2015 Osceola Chamber/Main Street president, during an annual dinner Monday, Jan. 18, at Lakeside Casino.
Osceola’s top honor Snell receives 2016 Community Service Award By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
It’s no surprise the recipient of the 2016 Community Service Award received a standing ovation after his name was called out to the crowd. Chuck Snell was named the award winner during Osceola Chamber/Main Street and Clarke County Development Corporation’s annual dinner Monday, Jan. 18, at Lakeside Casino. The theme for the night was “The Stars are Out in Osceola.” “I only have two things to say, thank you, and,” Snell paused during his speech, “(you) finally put me in a position where I don’t have anything to say. I’m speechless.” About Snell Snell, a lifelong resident of Osceola, graduated from high school in
1959. Then, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1980. When Snell returned to the southern Iowa area, he joined Osceola Volunteer Fire Department and served for 16 years. “Every once in awhile, you come across an individual who serves and serves and serves, and you never know it because they always serve in the background,” said Pastor Chuck DeVos, the event’s master of ceremonies. “These individuals are the ones who keep things moving forward like a well-oiled machine, but you just don’t realize it because you don’t always see it.” Service work Snell also spent a lot of his time helping with Osceola’s Fourth of July celebration in various capacities. He has held many offices within Osceola
Lions Club, and would often be found putting in countless hours in the Lions Club food trailer at the Clarke County Fair, Fourth of July festival and other events. (See nomination letter, page 2A). Snell has also held the position of “Master” two times during his tenure with Osceola Masonic Lodge. “(Snell) has never walked away from a job that needed to be done, and he was always, always willing to do his part and oftentimes, to go beyond what was technically his part,” DeVos said. A plaque was given to Snell by Dave Selene, Osceola Chamber/Main Street president. “As (it’s) been said before by other ones, I am deeply humbled for this recognition,” Snell said. “I guess that’s about it. Thank you.”
Council sets Feb. 4 special session for downtown streetscape project By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
To get the downtown streetscape project to work, it will have to benefit the commercialism of the downtown square, as well as the safety of public infrastructure. How that is going to happen is still anybody’s guess. “This isn’t the downtown beautification project. It isn’t what started this,” said Councilman Dr. George Fotiadis during a Jan. 19 Osceola City Council meeting. “This is a beneath-the-surface infrastructure improvement that is going to have to be done at one point or another inContributed image volving sewer, involving This is an image for potential plans for Osceola’s downstorm drainage. And, the town streetscape project. SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2016
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rather interesting thing that was pointed out at a public meeting, you know, it might be nice to have enough water pressure to suppress a fire.” The reason the downtown streetscape project first began is, a couple of years ago, a light pole fell over on the square a because of old infrastructure issues. Fortunately, nobody was injured. Moving forward Discussion on the downtown project has been brewing for months, but it seems to be moving forward more so now with the newly-elected mayor and city council members. They have full terms to see progress on the project come to fruition. The downtown streetscape project could affect
a lot of people, including downtown store owners, city officials and engineers, as well as Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk, said Iowa DOT is interested in the project because Highway 69 is under their jurisdiction and it needs to be compliant with their codes, including ADA accessibility. Middle parking The main challenges with the design elements of the downtown project are the widening of sidewalks, trees and, especially, the removal of middle parking in the street. “I think that the public should know, as this is rolled out, features that we can and cannot have,” Dr. Fotiadis said. “One of the
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concerns, again, the trees are decorative issues. The crosswalk safety sounds like the DOT is going to be trumping us on at least part of that, which also would go directly to the widening of the sidewalk versus the mid-street parking. The public has a right to know the what and the why.” Special session A special session was scheduled 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, to discuss how to proceed with the plans of the project. The council appeared to be united on one important factor. “I believe it’s our job that we need to be thinking about public safety,” said Mayor Thomas Kedley. “Public safety (is) number one of our citizens.”
Don’t Forget New editorials
Check out new editions of “The Fry Times” and “Back in Time” on page 4.
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