Camanche council approves feasibility study for railroad overpass, sets tax-levy hearing and commits funds to street grant application

The Camanche City Council on March 4 adopted a resolution to hire a consultant to prepare a feasibility study for a proposed railroad overpass and approved two additional resolutions: one setting a public hearing on the city—udget nd maximum tax levy, and another committing local matching funds to apply for a Small City Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) for Washington Boulevard improvements.

The council authorized an agreement with Vinstra and Kim Incorporated to perform the overpass feasibility study at a proposed price of $61,126.98. Council members discussed that, even if feasible, constructing an overpass would likely be a long-term effort requiring significant funding and time; members noted permitting, engineering and potential legal issues could push construction many years into the future. A motion to accept the consultant proposal was made and carried in roll call (Councilman Edens: yes; Councilman Frell: yes; Councilman Maxwell: no). The motion provided authorization for the mayor to execute the study agreement; no mover or seconder was recorded by name in the transcript.

Council also amended and approved a resolution to set a public hearing on the proposed maximum tax levy for the city. The hearing date was moved from March 27 to March 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Camanche City Hall, with virtual attendance permitted. The council discussed that the published figure represents the maximum levy and that the specific levy could be lower; council members mentioned the published maximum would represent roughly a 1.3% increase, which the transcript framed as about $8 per $100,000 of assessed value.

On transportation, the council voted to commit the city s fiscal agent and to obligate matching funds necessary to apply for STBG funds for planned improvements on Washington Boulevard (the scope discussed included full-depth street rebuild, curb-and-gutter, improved crosswalk striping and storm-sewer additions for the segment described by staff). Shive Hattery Engineers—stimated the project at about $916,500 in the application materials cited on the record; the STBG program can provide up to $250,000 toward eligible projects while requiring a local match of at least 20% of the total project cost. Council members asked for final design work and clarified that the application deadline was imminent.

Votes at a glance: Overpass feasibility resolution pproved by roll call as recorded (Edens: yes; Frell: yes; Maxwell: no). Tax-levy hearing date amendment pproved by roll call. STBG application commitment pproved by roll call.

Why it matters: A feasibility study will determine whether the overpass concept merits further investment and how the city could pursue funding; the STBG commitment and the timing of the tax-levy hearing begin formal steps in pursuing significant street improvements and budgeting choices that could affect capital planning and property owners.

Next steps: The mayor was authorized to sign the overpass study agreement; the clerk was directed to publish notice for the tax-levy hearing on March 26; staff will proceed with the STBG application and produce final design and funding details for council review.