The Mount Vernon City Council approved a contract with Spahn and Rose for the construction of a bathroom and mezzanine storage space for the Bryant work site. City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the city only got one bid back for the work on the bathroom at the work site.
“It’s a good bid, it’s just unfortunate we didn’t have any local bidders for this project,” Nosbisch said. “Spahn and Rose has done quality work and materials, and is very responsive to changes or requests to be made.”
That also comes with the work on the water main that was approved and completed in early October. That work on the water main came in under the engineer’s estimate. Nosbisch said the main uses a four-inch line and added two additional hydrants.
“We know that if we have to utilize those hydrants, there is a chance we’ll see some dropping water pressure,” Nosbisch said. “The goal would be more development coming to that area and we’ll be able to loop that water main back to others.”
Trees this year now surpass those lost in derecho
Almost five years later, the City of Mount Vernon has now replaced more trees than were lost during the derecho.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said more than 200 trees have been planted in the road right- of-ways in the past four years, surpassing the numbers lost in the derecho.
Nosbisch said the city is working to continue to diversify tree species, highlighting the more than 100 ash trees lost in the community over the past several years as well. Several of the recent ash tree losses came from the apartment complex across from Lynch Ford-Chevrolet.
“Our fear is if we have a disease that impacts maple trees, that will hurt a lot of our remaining tree canopy,” Nosbisch said.
Council member Paul Tuerler said it’s important for homeowners to look at the tree ordinance as well as other options when they’re replacing trees.
“Find out details about the trees you’re going to replace, and discover if they have smelly leaves or other items,” Tuerler said. “Use the resources like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and what is natural to Iowa.”