City approves a slurry of summer street events; water works continues

Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering said Monday that the water main replacement project is on schedule. Senger addressed commissioners at their regularly scheduled June meeting. With 29% of the project complete as of last week, BEK Consulting requested its fifth payment since work began, a sum of $494,014.25. It was noted that workers will not be in town during the Independence Day holiday, as they are slated to be finishing another project and then taking vacation from June 22 to July 6.

Preparations for the water treatment plant upgrades are moving in the right direction. Interstate Engineering drafted an Opinion of Probable Cost, which totaled $6.4 million. Senger said that contractors expected to bid on the project are facing some supply issues, and therefore he suggested that the timeline be extended from 12 months to 16 months. Commissioners agreed to the protracted timeline, approved the plans and specifications and authorized Interstate Engineering to solicit bids for the project once they obtain the necessary approvals from USDA-Rural Development.

The commission approved requests from merchants to hold events in the street this summer. Jon Heinz from the New Rockford Eagles Club said they will first offer overflow seating on July 2 for a groom’s supper outside along Eighth Street from Central Avenue to First Avenue South. The street will remain closed through July 4 for the club’s annual Independence Day burger and brat cookout. Justin McDonald of Buck-its Bar requested to close 9th Street from Central Avenue to the alley to host a street dance on Thursday, July 2. Special permits to sell liquor outside for the above events were also approved. Deb Belquist’s request to block off Central Avenue from 8th Street to 9th Street for DPRCA’s series of Sunday outdoor music events was also approved.

Public Works Superintendent Hirchert reported that the generator at the water plant is being installed. Windows and doors for the plant have also been ordered. Work on the Brown Memorial roof should begin soon. Paving on U.S. Hwy. 281 and the adjacent frontage roads through town will commence by mid-June, and later in the month crews will begin repaving the streets where water mains have been installed. Third Street Northeast will be leveled off and stabilized with asphalt millings.

Four building permits were approved, including an order to replace the sidewalk in front of Rockford Cafe and install a new kitchen floor in the downtown restaurant, which reopened for dine-in service as of Sunday, May 31.

Annual gaming site authorizations and liquor and beer licenses were approved for all existing establishments in the community.

The Brown Memorial is again available for rental after commissioners discussed the importance of having community facilities open for residents and their families. Contact George Ritzke at 947-2461 for rental information.