Randolph council endorses $2.16 million water‑main project, approves CDBG application and matching funds

At its March 4 meeting, the Randolph City Council voted to endorse and authorize submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for a proposed Randolph Water Main Improvements Project, and adopted a companion resolution committing the required matching funds.

City Clerk Mary King‑Bateman read the public hearing announcement into the record, saying the project’s "total estimated costs will be $2,157,975.00 which includes construction costs and CDBG grant administration costs," and that the city "is requesting $500,000.00 in CDBG funds for the proposed project." King‑Bateman also told the council the application will be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority no later than May 1, 2025, and that a February 2025 low‑and‑moderate income (LMI) survey found 71.72% of residents to be LMI in the area affected by the work.

The reading described the project as a city‑wide replacement of deteriorated water mains intended to address longstanding problems on the city’s east side, including low water pressure, taste and odor complaints, and discolored water. The clerk stated the project would install new mains, valves, fire hydrants and service connections and that it "will not result in the displacement or relocation of any persons or businesses." The hearing record shows no written or in‑person public comments.

After the public hearing, the council adopted Res. 10‑25, endorsing submission of the CDBG application, and Res. 11‑25, committing matching funds for the application. Both resolutions passed by roll call vote (Ayes—Berger, Avey, Richardson; Nays—None; Absent—Earlywine). A duplicate entry, Res. 12‑25, was struck from the resolutions list and received no action.

According to the materials read into the record, project funding is expected from a combination of the requested CDBG grant and a USDA loan and grant; engineering fees would be covered by the USDA loan. The clerk’s announcement listed the project cost estimate and funding plan but did not specify the amount or source of the local match beyond noting that a matching funds resolution was adopted.

Next steps indicated in the record: the city will submit the application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by the May 1, 2025 deadline and pursue the USDA loan/grant component described in the hearing materials.