The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Response to letters asking Royal residents to clean up their properties was encouraging, but city council members want to make sure that further progress is made.

According to discussion on May 9, over 50 initial courtesy letters were sent to property owners prior to Royal’s cleanup day, which was April 25. As a result of a subsequent survey of properties, 24 follow-up letters were sent.

“A lot of people got something done,” noted Council Member Mitch Fahnlander.

The second letter set a deadline of June 6 for listed concerns to be addressed.

Discussion with Darren Bumgarner, of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development, clarified the next steps to see that any remaining properties are cleaned up. Addresses of those thought to be in violation of the city’s nuisance ordinance will be given to Bumgarner. He will view them, take pictures for documentation and prepare a notice of abatement to be sent to the owners.

Bumgarner suggested the notices include a 30-day deadline to comply “if the council is agreeable.” Council Member Matt Goyette questioned whether having to send three notices in four months was necessary.

“There’s nothing wrong with the way you have done it,” Bumgarner responded. “If a case goes to court it looks more favorable to the city. It shows you gave them a reasonable amount of time. Judges like to see that.”

Failure to respond to a notice will result in documentation being forwarded to the city attorney for further action.

To assist those receiving abatement notices with monetary costs involved with cleanup, the Royal Lions Club is offering grants of up to $250 per household. Mayor Josh Toft explained that funds will not go directly to owners who request assistance, but will be paid to vendors for the costs incurred.

“This will be OK if they know it is a one-year opportunity,” said Council Member Jim Virelli.

“I think the city is doing the right thing and what the Lions Club is doing is a good thing,” Toft said.

Following up last month’s discussion regarding equipment purchases, Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen reviewed quotes for a snow pusher to mount on the payloader. They range from $8,736 to over $10,500. He also investigated prices of stump chippers and found them to be between $7,000 and $10,000.

“For what they’re getting for them right now, we don’t need to be in a hurry to own one,” Nielsen said, adding that the city could wait until there are enough stumps to justify the purchase.

Also in response to earlier discussion, City Clerk Barb Fletcher compiled comparisons of what Town & Country Disposal charges Royal for garbage collection and the cost of water purchased from Iowa Lakes Regional Water with the city’s rates for those services.

“I don’t feel we have to do anything right now,” Fletcher said. “But if Town & Country raises our rates, we will definitely have to raise garbage rates.”

Goyette responded that any additional charges to the city should be passed on to utility customers.

“If we are charged a fuel surcharge, we need to put it on their bill. We, the city, should not have to eat that.”

Also briefly discussed was water loss over the past few months. Numbers fluctuate each month, but the 15 percent loss rate in April was cause for concern. According to Virelli, seven percent water loss is considered average.

“If it continues, we need to look at this. There is something wrong,” he said.