By Sara StrongThe Luverne City Council is starting to finalize plans for its part of the new Sioux Valley Hospital and Clinic project north of the Veterans Addition.It accepted bids Tuesday for two of its contributions: $135,000 for the painting of the new water tower, and $533,900 for the new water tower/elevated water storage tank.The city and Sioux Valley are still working on arrangements for logos to be painted on the tower. Both Sioux Valley and the city want to have prominent placement on the tower.Sioux Valley will pay for its portion of the paintwork, no matter how large it’s logo is.Because the new hospital and clinic project is spurring other city work, residents won’t be assessed portions of the cost for sewer and curb work on Oakley Street.The final cost for the large project isn’t in yet, but property owners in the past have been assessed that kind of work.Since the work is needed because of the new hospital and clinic, though, the city is making this the exception.Last year’s work on Freeman, Estey, Bishop, Crawford and Brown streets and five alleys cost was split between property owners and residents. Property owners protested the high cost of assessments in public meetings.Oakley Street will be affected by the work from Warren Street to Veterans Drive. Airport plansThe city is being asked to come up with more plans before it can proceed with runway expansion efforts.The airport needs a master plan, more detailed than the airport layout plan, which has been completed.State and federal agencies have to approve the master plan too. Part of the master plan includes estimated flight traffic and screening up to three alternative site locations.City Administrator Greg LaFond said it was important for the city to continue pursuing the new runway. He said, "It really enhances our ability to attract businesses."This week, Economic Development Director Dan Statema got an inquiry about the runway’s length from a large business.In other airport news, State Representative Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) has co-authored legislation that would assist communities that are considering renovations to airports. The bill would decrease the minimum local contribution for federally funded airport projects from 10percent to 5 percent.Currently, Luverne has proposed a $2.5 million expansion and renovation project at the Luverne Municipal Airport — Quentin Aanenson Field.The federal match was increased from 90 percent to 95 percent on eligible projects at most airports during the next four years.The state portion of the airport funding change hasn’t been approved.
