With no issues found inside the tank, Royal City Council members voted on Oct. 12 to accept the low bid for painting the exterior of the water tower.

Iowa Lakes Regional Water recently inspected the tower and cleaned and sanitized the interior of the tank. According to Mayor Josh Toft, ILRW found no problems inside the tank or with other issues identified by painting contractors as needing attention.

"They have nothing else to say about our water tower interior. It passed inspection," Toft told the council. "The interior of the water tower is OK.

"Iowa Lakes didn't say anything about the ladder they had to climb or the access they had to use to get in," he added. "We don't have to worry about all the updates we were sort of concerned about."

In light of that report, council members reviewed bids for painting the exterior of the water tower. The bid of $39,100 from Central Tank Coatings, of Elgin, was the lowest of three received. That bid was accepted.

According to discussion, color scheme will be determined at a later date. Council members expressed interest in having the lettering updated with the current city logo.

The job will not be completed until 2023. City Clerk Barb Fletcher said American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to finance the project.

Fletcher also shared the report of Darren Bumgarner, of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development, regarding properties that had received nuisance abatement notices. Some of the properties Bumgarner inspected had been brought up to code while others still have issues.

Based on those findings, the council agreed further action should be pursued against those that are not in compliance.

"I don't want to be where we were last year," said Council Member Matt Goyette.

The council also agreed to renew the annual maintenance agreement with Clay County. Increases ranging from $10-30 in the hourly rate for renting secondary roads department equipment were noted.

Regarding city-owned equipment, council members agreed to continue with the plan to trade certain items every two or three years to take advantage of a "substantial" government discount.

Maintenance Superintendent Sherman Nielsen said the skid loader should be replaced next year, with the pickup to be traded the following year.

"I don't want to put it off again and say next fall we should have done it," said Council Member Jeff Van Westen. "I just don't want to kick the can down the road again."

"I don't either," Toft responded.

Nielsen was asked to get bids for a skid loader so the council consider them during budget discussions early next year.

Toft also reported on the recent Royal Visioning Committee meeting. The committee agreed that eight of the trees being donated by Gary Toft should be planted inside the former athletic field and three will be planted elsewhere. The donor has offered to pay for planting and mulch.

Discussion was held regarding removal of goal posts and light poles before the trees are planted. The plan is to turn the entire area into a place for the public to enjoy.