Council approves routine payments, traffic changes and spring cleanup plan; staff reports on flood study and comp-plan RFQ

The Manchester City Council approved a set of routine operational and capital items and received staff updates on longer-range planning.

Financial approvals included a $21,366.94 payment to Kirk and Michael for runway resealing at the Manchester Municipal Airport as the city's 5% match on an FAA-funded project; staff explained bids are due and the FAA will issue grant documents after bid review. Council also approved a $5,425 payment to Burlington Group for engineering fees on the Commerce Court Street Extension and the Granite Avenue trail extension project.

On traffic control, council approved Resolution 35 to install a four-way stop at the intersection of West Marian Street and South Fifth Street to reduce driver confusion. Council also approved a citywide spring cleanup day (May 10, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.) allowing residents to take a pickup- or single-axle-trailer load to the transfer station free of charge (restricted items such as refrigerators and hazardous materials may require extra fees or may not be accepted).

Staff reports covered public-works progress on detention-pond grading and storm-water structures, and a planning update: staff (Tim) described a preliminary flood study for the northeast portion of town and discussed options including daylighting buried tributaries and potential upstream flow-control structures. Tim advised FEMA grant funding is not currently available, and recommended alternative funding sources and a more detailed study. He also outlined an RFQ for the comprehensive plan update with proposals due May 9 and a projected summer start.

Council then entered a closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss pending litigation and later returned to open session and adjourned.