Reed Schwartzkopf, City Engineer, shared with Rotary members on some of the issues during the past year between snow, flooding and road repair. Fighting water and then the challenges of trying to get reimbursed from the government entities is almost as painful as physically sandbagging. Schwartzkopf said they have finally gotten FEMA to do an inspection so they can put together the numbers for payment on the repairs to some of the roads and sewers. They are hoping they can get some of the work done yet this fall.
Storm sewers are a challenge all on their own. Some of the re-lining in the southwest part of town has helped, but some of the manholes need to be repaired or replaced. Overall, Jamestown needs a comprehensive plan. Jamestown has not seen significant tax increases for infrastructure. As a city, these projects have been delayed and now it is time to get these repairs completed. Schwatzkopf said his "guestimate" for repair and replacement costs could be $2 million to $2.5 million each year for 10 years. This is just an estimate.
One of the good things that happened during the flooding and snow storms is better communication between the city and the county departments. They worked together and helped each other out, making sure needs were being met. Schwartzkopf said the city was fortunate it did not have to shut down the sewer system this spring. The newest pumping system, which was funded a few years back, was in place. Dollars were well invested in that project, he said. In the long term, the citizens are going to be faced with paying money no matter what funding source is used: taxes, assessments, etc. Jamestown needs to replace these worn-out systems, he said. It has taken 50 to 60 years to get in the situation the city is currently in and it cannot be recouped in one year, so eight to 10 years of fixing different parts every year is maybe the most manageable way to proceed, Schwartzkopf said.
The paperwork for the quiet zone is close to being completed. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs is working on the final touches.
In closing, Schwartzkopf said the roadmap for the future needs to be in place. This is something the citizens of Jamestown, with their elected officials, are going to have to work toward. His job as the engineer is to give advice and get the work done, but the decision to fund falls on the shoulders of local elected officials.
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The Oct. 27 Rotary meeting was presided over by Tom Boerger. Ross Stark gave the invocation. Harvey Huber and Bev Kennison led the group in music. Mark Olson collected numerous "Happy Dollars" for Rotary projects.
Student guests were Andrea Boerger and Lexi Sveum. They are juniors at Jamestown High School.
Boerger asked for help with Christmas lights and Don Redmann and his committee have volunteers to work on Thursday evening to get the lights ready.
Mark Martin is in charge of today's program and Jon Hegerle, the volleyball coach for the Jamestown Jimmie women, will be the guest speaker. Duane Dunn will give the invocation, Gary Riffe will lead the music. Harold Bensch is sergeant at arms.
