WATERLOO: City hires local contractor
On Monday, they acted, awarding a $171,000 contract for renovations to the largely underused third floor that should create a more secure environment for the city's service employees.
D & A Builders, owned by Dennis Brand, was the low bidder in a competitive process. Brand is a long-time local residential/commercial developer.City Hall was built in 1997, with the third floor reserved for expansion.
The third floor will provide the offices for the public works department and the planning department when the renovation is complete, likely by the end of the year.
Alderman Steve Notheisen expressed surprise at the bid, saying it was "the price of a small house" but motioned to approve the contract.
In other city government business:
-Mayor Tom Smith reappointed William Gardner and Sandra Ziebold to three-year terms on the City Planning Commission;
-Alderman Larry Goessling, who chairs the Health Committee, said Bi-County Health Department Administrator Tom Smith has agreed to send a draft of the FirstMed Program-a plan for catching and distributing vital medical supplies in the event of a chemical or biological disaster-back for revisions. The council in July had tabled action to adopt the FirstMed Program because of concerns it had about the distribution of antibiotics and other issues. Goessling said Smith will come back to the committee after the concerns have been addressed;
-Alderman Vicki Koerber said the final draft of a new property maintenance code will be put to a council vote at the Sept. 15 meeting. On Aug. 25, a large crowd turned out at City Hall to comment on the proposed code. Koerber said some of the comments were taken into consideration before the Ordinance Committee voted on the final draft.
