Stone Bridge project seeks federal funding

     Could work on Ely’s Stone Bridge be on the horizon?

     During the May 29 meeting, County Engineer Derek informed the Jones County Supervisors that the Historic Preservation Commission contacted ECICOG regarding TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) funding for repair on Stone Bridge.

     “ECICOG takes care of TAP money,” said Snead. “And I understand the Commission found a new engineer.”

     Supervisor Lloyd Eaken commented that he knew the Commission was looking for a new engineer to assist on the bridge project moving forward.

     “Before they can proceed (with the project) they need an engineer,” clarified Supervisor Ned Rohwedder, who contacted Commission Chairperson Rose Rohr prior to the meeting. “They hope to have someone within the next few weeks, and will update us after that.

     “They (the Commission) wants to assess funding and they can’t do that an engineer and an estimate,” added Rohwedder.

     Snead warned that any work done to Stone Bridge would need to follow certain guidelines considering the historic nature of the structure, which is named on the National Register of Historic Places.

     “You have to keep the historical significance,” he said. “You just can’t put stone on the structure and consider it historic. There’s a certain process anytime you use federal funds.” (TAP funds are federal funds.)

     Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach asked Snead if TAP funds come into play, does the county lose its control over Stone Bridge.

     “It’s still your bridge,” said Snead. “If you want the funding, you have to follow the rules.”

     The Wapsi Trail Project is days from taking shape, but not without some contract changes. The supervisors approved a second amendment to the engineering contract with Anderson-Bogert. The original contract amount was $101,000. With two amendments, the amended contract is at $219,000.

     The need to amend the contract is to include the post-project design phase, explained Snead, which entails project administration, construction supervision, material testing, and preparing the file documents and project closeout. Snead said Anderson-Bogert would perform those services for the county and “watch over the project from here on out.”

     The trail project is a joint project between the county and Anamosa. It will include a new trail, as well as work on Shaw Road.

     Snead said with the contract amendments, plus the 10 percent contingency, the total project costs “will be close to the amount of revenue” the trail committee has secured.

     “If there’s an over-run, there might be some concerns they don’t have enough (funding),” Snead added. Prior to the supervisors meeting, Snead met with the Wapsi Trail Committee to discuss the project, which will break ground on June 7.

     Despite the project beginning in FY 2018, payments will be made in FY 2019.

In other county business:

     • The board made record of the hiring of a new assistant county attorney. County Attorney Phil Parsons hired Todd Chelf full-time with benefits at $70,000 a year.

     County Auditor Janine Sulzner said 18-25 applications were reviewed for the position.

     Chelf is originally from the Oxford Junction area.

     • The board will accept bids for a new roof on Memorial Hall in Wyoming until Tuesday, June 26 at 9 a.m. The project completion date is Sept. 30.

     The county is seeking bods on 24-guage steel and a rubber membrane.

     • The board approved the Purchase of Service Contract with ECICOG for transportation services/JETS for FY 2019.

     • The board approved the final plat of the 1-lot subdivision McElmeel Acres in Lovell Townships.

     Planning and Zoning reviewed both the preliminary and final plats in March, with noted variances: the subdivision will not have two entrances and no interior street.