The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-03-22
FOR BETTER WATER
osKALoosA is GOING TO INVEST.
GATE THE WHOLE PROBLEM

De surveyed and appraised. A thor
ough study of the water problem is 4
be made by expert engineers in tn
EFFORT to determine whether good wa
ter is possible from Skunk River. I
not, then find some other source |
the present water property can no
give the city an adequate and salts
factory supply then a new plant viii
De built that will meet the needs ant
demands of the people.
In the first place preliminary sur
vey will be made and the work OF an
praising the plant in operation will bc
carried out The other work is t.
follow. If the city decides to purchase
the old plant or should an entirely
new plant be desired. with water sup
piled from new source, plans and
specifications will be made, for a, new
plant, only in case the city decides tc
build and bond issue for the purpose
is voted by the people.
In response to the Invitation issued
on authority of the city council three
engineering firms, water works spe
cialists and representatives before the
city council at its regular session Mon
day evening with propositions. Hear.
ing OF these propositions in open
council occupied the greater part OF
the evening session and the hour was
approaching midnight when adjourn.
ment was taken
The proposition of Burns G. McDon-
nell, firm of consulting engineers of
Kansas City, experts in their line of
business was accepted by the council
and upon motion of Pickett supported
by Bell and carried with out a dis
senting vote, the Mayor and city clerk
were instructed to enter into contract
for the work
Preliminary work, surveys of the
property as it exists an expert appris-
al of the plant; a detailed statement
of what it would cost to replace the
existing property: a report upon the
possibility Of improvement of the
present plant "a report upon a new
water supply together with the costs
to the city for Improvements and uIs
on an entirely new plant will cost the
city $1,S50.00. Should the city go
ahead, order bonds and have plans
and specifications made this work will
be done at cost of five per cent of
the price of the new. work in which
case the cost of the preliminary surs
veys, the $1,S50.00 will be taken from
the total cost or in other words cred
tied to the city on the final bill. For
example. Suppose the new work costs
the city $25O,000.00, plans. specifca-
tion and superintendent of construct
ion will be five per cent which would
amount to $12,500.00 but the city hav-
ing already paved $1,85O.OO for pre-
liminary surveys, appraisal and valu-
alton of the old property and reports
upon availability of new source of
supply, this is deducted from the five
per cent leaving the charge for the
engineering service $10,75O.OO on the
basis of the above amount.
When the reports are ready, and
should a bond issue be desired by the
council the company takes special
means, to place the matter before the
people in a manner and means that
the laymen may understand. Specia!
lectures, illustrated with lantern
slides are provided to give the matter
the fullest possible publicity. Cues
lions are answered and every possible
means taken to enlighten the public,
upon existing conditions, cost. etc.
The matter of the city water SUP
ply has been before the council in ono
or another form almost since its or
two years ago. The sub
ject had been given much thought and
study by council members but it has
proved a mountain that could not be
scaled. The near approach of the ex-,
piration of the franchise Of the hold
ing company and the necessity for
action of some sort, and other prob
lens connected with the service
brought the matter to a head. While
Colonel ]. II. Pickett and b. J. Snyder
have been more or less prominent in
the handling of the problem the atti-
tude of three council members is signi.
tfcant. The measure received the
unanimous support of the council, all
voting for the proposition with the
single exception of Kessler who was
absent from the city and not voting.
Several months will be necessary on
the preliminary work and reports to-
gether with an immense amount Of
preliminary work to be accomplished
by Office help such as the extension
of the invoice of the existing property
A force of field workers will be en-
gagged on the ground and will be under
the personal direction of one OF the
members of the firm. !
Carl F. Lambert, engineer, repre-
scented the firm in the city last even
ing and presented the proposition of
the company. He will close contract
and start work Immediately.
Long Drawn Out Session
The council had long drawn out
session and the work in hand was not
completed. Adjournment was taken
to Wednesday of next week. Routine
matters received attention, claims