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Silvis officials report $1.2M federal grant prospect, retirements and infrastructure updates
Summary
City Administrator said a $1.2 million federal infrastructure grant for water/sewer main replacement on 3rd and 7th Streets has passed the House and is awaiting Senate consideration; staff also reported retirements, vehicle deliveries and a pump station fix, and the fire department logged 166 calls through Jan. 20.
City Administrator Jerry told the Silvis City Council on Jan. 20 that the city has been notified by the congressman’s office that a federal infrastructure grant of $1.2 million for water and sewer main replacement on 3rd and 7th Streets has passed the U.S. House and is awaiting Senate consideration.
Jerry said the grant was applied for in spring 2025 and indicated the Senate was the next step; he said he is looking at an update toward the end of February. He also said the comprehensive plan process will start in May and will include public input meetings and council briefings.
On staffing and retirements, City Clerk Amy Malmstrom invited council members to two upcoming retirements: an open house for Tom’s retirement next Friday at 2:30 p.m., and Deputy Chief Copeland’s retirement on Jan. 29 at the police department. Police Chief Gene Karzin said the department is actively recruiting and has five applications in hand and plans interviews next week.
Fire Chief Dave Johnson reported the fire department will have an ISO evaluation on March 15, 2026, and said Jan. 1–20 produced 166 calls; he said he is developing a five‑year plan and urged residents to be cautious with space heaters.
Public Works Director Joe Rockwell said the city is receiving replacement trucks (first pickup imminent) under a four-year lease-to-own plan and reported that a pump station was returned to service after installation of a variable frequency drive to run on single-phase power.
Jerry also explained why the restaurant 'Strictly Southern' was stricken from the agenda: the owner would not commit to operating more than two days a week while the committee’s expectation had been for four days a week (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). He offered to revisit an agreement if the owner makes a different commitment.
The council did not take formal action on most of these informational items during the meeting; the minutes record the staff updates and future steps such as the comprehensive‑plan schedule and the congressional notification about the grant.
