Columbus Junction making flood repair 'wish list'

By Jim Rudisill | Thursday, August 28, 2008

COLUMBUS JCT., Iowa — Potential flood recovery assistance programs are being unveiled and the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, Burlington, is ready to help Columbus Junction and other communities obtain help.

Brian Tapp, executive director of the commission, gave Columbus Junction officials that assurance during this week’s council meeting.

Tapp said assistance programs through the U.S. Department of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and other sources were being implemented, and his staff was being increased to help communities. He urged the council to develop a “wish list” of potential needs and his staff would begin reviewing the programs for possible help.

He said most assistance will be limited to public infrastructure, with less assistance available for small businesses and nonprofits.

City officials said they would begin developing a list, but quickly identified relocating the water plant, upgrading levees and installing a permanent water line to the Tyson meat processing plant north of Columbus Junction as top

priorities.

The council did approve a notice of intended action to participate in a federal hazard mitigation program.

In final action, Nitza Lopez, assistant director of the Columbus Junction Community Development Center and a member of Gov. Chet Culver’s Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission, updated the council on several recent tours the commission made of flooded and other damaged areas around the state. She said a 45-day report developed by the commission would be used by Culver in deciding whether to call a special session of the Iowa Legislature to deal with this summer’s natural disasters.

— Jim Rudisill