The Adel City Council convened Monday evening in regular session.

The meeting began with the approval of a resolution designating Crow River Construction of New London, Minnesota as the lowest responsive bidder for the next section of the stormwater utility improvement project on North 15th Street. They also approved the contract with Crow River, in the amount of $356,826. The items were deferred from the previous meeting at the recommendation of City Attorney Kristine Stone.

After that, the Council held discussion on the Highway 169 growth and safety projects. Council member Rob Christensen, who heads the streets committee, said the City has hosted an assortment of input meetings and focus groups to come up with a way to improve traffic flow around the schools on Highway 169. In the end, the focus group recommended the City utilize a round-about system, which would decrease the speed of traffic and improve the safety of kids walking to school. The group also recommended moving forward with an underpass for the City’s trail system on the busy highway.

The Council approved submitting the recommendation for the round-abouts for the Iowa Department of Transportation to consider. Christensen emphasized that this is still not a done deal, as the DOT could decline the recommendation and mandate the other proposal for the highway, which would be extended turn lanes and possibly stop lights.