Water tower to be lighted

The old water tower in the center of town is about to get a cleaning, safety check and new paint, according to action at the April 12 City Council meeting.
The council approved an agreement with DGR Engineering to provide services for upcoming work on the city's water tower on Highway 75.
The project involves recoating the interior and exterior of the 300,000-gallon tank and adding lights to illuminate the new Luverne logos that will be painted on the tank.
DGR will provide pre-bid inspection services, preparation of the specifications and bidding documents and will assist in soliciting bids and preparing contract documents.
The cost of the agreement with DGR is $33,600. The engineer's estimate for the project is $374,000.
City Administrator John Call said a good share of the project's expense is attributed to the process of encapsulating the tower to prevent paint spray from falling on neighboring houses, cars and properties.
“The process is quite thorough," Call said. "Then we should be good for the next 20 years.”
He said the tank will be drained, and for 60 days city water will run on pressure through plants and ground storage.
Mayor Pat Baustian said it will be good insurance to have the project completed.
“They do a full inspection inside and out,” he said. “We have divers inspect it every two years, and there hasn't been anything significant, so hopefully we'll be OK.”
 
Flood mitigation grant
Berm improvements are planned for the west bank of the Rock River to prevent future flood damage.
The DNR's Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program has some uncommitted funds available to improve the berm on the west side of the Rock River from East Main Street to Redbird Field.
The estimated cost of the project is $55,000, and the DNR has indicated the city of Luverne may move forward with completing a grant application for the project.
At their April 12 meeting, Luverne City Council members gave approval for city administration to apply for the grant, which does not require a local match.
“If we do get a flood like we did in 2014, it will slow the rush that caused $200,000 worth of damage,” said City Administrator John Call.