9/10ths of the way there
Everly sewage pond upgrades nearing finish line
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SENTINEL-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Upgrades to Everly's sewage treatment ponds are contractually obligated to be finished by Oct. 15, but work will likely be completed much sooner.
The end is in sight for Everly's biggest infrastructure upgrade of recent memory.
According to a report from engineer Brian Schmidt on Monday, improvements to the sewage treatment ponds east of town are 90 percent complete. Once finished, the upgrades will mark the official end to a project more than a decade in the making.
"We're looking forward to it," Mayor Brad Behrens said after the meeting.
Work got underway in the spring of 2020. Thanks to favorable conditions, the improvements progressed relatively unhindered last year.
Once completed, the multi-million dollar upgrades will bring the sewage ponds into compliance with state regulations. They experience large amounts of discharge during heavy rain events, which is not allowed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
King Construction, of Wall Lake, was awarded the contract in the fall of 2019 after submitting a bid of $3.88 million. The price was approximately $1 million more than the project's estimated price tag; however, the council felt it was left with no choice but to accept the proposal after being forced to rebid the project once before in 2019.
Consequently, the project's completion date was pushed from Dec. 1, 2020 to Oct. 15, 2021.
Behrens didn't anticipate having a problem with meeting the deadline.
"Hopefully it will get finished this summer," he said.
• Community meal to be held in conjunction with EFD's 100th
Discussion was held regarding the Everly Fire Department's centennial celebration set for Saturday, July 31. Like years past, a community meal will be held.
However, unlike past years, the Everly Commercial Club will not host the meal. The organization is in the process of dissolving due to low membership and a lack of local interest, and all remaining funds are slated to go to a special account held by the city established for such events. According to Behrens, the city's legal counsel is in the process of finalizing formalities necessary for the transfer of monies.
Community volunteers will lead additional festivities in conjunction with the fire department's celebration. A meeting at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center is scheduled for Monday, May 3 at 6 p.m., to discuss planned events. Local residents interested in helping are invited to attend.
