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

Royal's elected officials spent a good part of the July council meeting praising volunteers who helped clean up the community following the derecho on July 5.

Mayor Josh Toft and council members expressed gratitude to local residents and others who turned what could have been a long cleanup effort into a quick recovery.

"The effort was outstanding," Toft said. "It was a big deal to have it wrapped up in a day or two. It was pretty amazing."

The city also appreciates the assistance of workers from Michels Corporation, who are installing underground electrical lines for Alliant Energy.

"Their help was tremendous. It was really unexpected. That's why it was tremendous," Toft said. "They had the equipment to do it and they did it."

City facilities impacted by the severe windstorm included Triangle Park where a limb went through the shelter house roof, and the water tower.

According to Maintenance Superintendent Sherm Nielsen, the shelter house roof must be replaced and some structural repairs are needed.

"It took a pretty good jar," he said.

Nielsen suggested the city apply steel roofing on the building rather than asphalt shingles. The existing shingles already needed replacing before the storm.

"For where it's at, the shingles really didn't hold up," Nielsen noted.

Storm damage to the tower has been repaired, but the council would like bids for further upgrades to be done in conjunction with painting the structure. Toft said the council should have three proposals to consider next month.

Officials questioned why Clay County had not been included in the initial disaster declaration issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Council Member Matt Goyette suggested the city's storm-related expenses be recorded now, in the event Clay County becomes eligible for assistance.

"At this point it would not be too difficult to do," he said.

The council also agreed to investigate filing an insurance claim to cover some of the city's storm-related expenses. The decision depends on the cost of repairs, as the city would have to pay a $2,500 deductible.

"If it goes under the same deductible, I think it makes sense," said Council Member Sara Ricke.

The council did address other issues during the meeting, including discussion on water loss. The June report indicated a 7 percent loss rate, which was lower than the previous month. Nielsen suggested there could be problem with a meter at Clay Central/Everly Elementary, which may not be recording water usage correctly during the school year.

"[The loss] should, if anything, be up with park usage this time of year," Nielsen said. "It should be 12-14 percent with park usage and 4-6 percent in the winter."

He suggested replacing the school's dual flow meter with a standard 2-inch single flow unit, which is adequate for the facility at this time.

Northwest Iowa Planning and Development has surveyed properties identified by the city as violating the nuisance abatement ordinance. One property could not be photographed due to lack of access, and the inspector recommended no action be taken against another as it appears to be in compliance.