City hears petition for new sewer line

Dollar General begins legwork to build on Limit Street

[NOV. 16, 2004]  Representatives of The Dollar General Store have begun plans to possibly build a new store on the southeast side of Lincoln. Company representatives inquired if the city would be willing to run a sewer extension to the property on Limit Street (Route 121).

Cyra Development had contacted sewer manager Grant Eaton in regard to running the sewer line. A petition was read at Monday night's meeting requesting that 255 feet of sewer line be installed at the city's expense. The line would run across the proposed property on Limit Street to the next manhole at the intersection of Tremont Street.

Eaton said that he would recommend that the city consider installing a total of 960 feet that would run along Limit Street from Keokuk to Tremont streets. This would prevent the city from having to go back in and add on if someone else wanted to build along that section, and it would help alleviate some storm water problems that the area experiences now during heavy rains.

It costs about $125 per linear foot to run the 8-inch PVC pipes, Eaton said. As petitioned, the new line would cost approximately $32,000. The estimated cost for the entire area as Eaton recommends would cost about $120,000.

The petition met with reluctance to make a commitment at this point in time. It was denied.

City attorney Bill Bates compared it with past project requests. They have had construction plans that included when the project would be started and finished, drawings, and other details were in place before making their request to the city.

Building inspector Les Last said the company has made application for a building permit.

Finance committee chairman Verl Prather said, "I'd want a lot more than that if we're going to talk about spending $120,000."

Mayor Beth Davis said, "We're all in favor of economic development, but looking at how this sort of expense could boom in the future, I would like to see if they would possibly pay some portion, such as half or one-third of their expense."

City treasurer Les Plotner urged the council to know where the $120,000 would be allocated from. "Are you going to take some of that new infrastructure money?" he asked. There are increased funds coming in from sales taxes and a telecommunications tax that are intended for infrastructure use, but Lincoln is trying to catch up on some road work that has been put off for years. "You need to tie it down a little bit," he said.

Eaton was requested to communicate the city's response to the business planners.

The city aldermen and mayor said they are looking forward to hearing more from the representatives and working with them as their plans develop.

[Jan Youngquist]