History notes
Moments of Tiffin's history found in the minutes and ordinances of this archive, each with the page's own words and where to read it: the start of a history of the town. Notes on the City Code's history also appear on the City Code pages.
Natural gas: from a municipal system to a franchise, 1964-1970
April 1, 1964
The town asks about natural gas service
The clerk was directed to write to Iowa-Illinois's investigating officer in Iowa City to check on the availability of gas service to Tiffin (a free survey).
“Natural Gas. The Clerk was directed to write to Bill Owens, Investigating Officer, Iowa-Illinois Light & Power, Iowa City, to have him check on the availability of gas service to Tiffin.” (document 3341, p. 1)
Sources: document 3341, p. 1 (regular meeting of 1964-04-01)
May 20, 1964
A citywide municipal gas system is proposed
A milestone (Eric): at the special meeting on financing the sewer system, James Thayer of White-Phillips Company, Inc. of Davenport, the bond house, suggested that the town seriously consider putting in a municipal gas system financed by bonds. A year later White-Phillips reported that the nearest prime gas line ran just south of Wellman, which was building a municipal system on revenue bonds at about $10,000 a mile of pipeline. Tiffin did not build one: from 1966 the council turned to Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company, which piped gas to Tiffin in 1970 under a 25-year franchise (Ordinance No. 59, approved by the voters on June 11, 1968).
“Mr. Thayer suggested that the Town seriously consider putting in a municipal gas system. The engineer could make an estimate. Municipal gas bonds are really money-makers. They are usually paid off in ten years and then they pour money into the town.” (document 3336, p. 1)
“Municipal Gas Plants. In the course of the discussion at White-Phillips, they found on the 1965 gas map of Iowa that the prime gas line closest to Tiffin is just south of Wellman. Wellman is getting a municipal gas system” (document 3314, p. 1)
Sources: document 3336, p. 1 (Special Council Meeting, May 20, 1964 (present: … Bill Tucker, Wayne Reed, James Thayer)); document 3314, p. 1 (regular meeting of 1965-05-05: Municipal Gas Plants) · People: James Thayer, William Tucker, Wayne Reed
October 4, 1966 – August 2, 1967
Talks with Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric
Mayor Wayne Stratton had the clerk ask Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric about extending service to Tiffin. In December 1966 Glenn Potter reported that the company would survey the number of gas users; the gas would be piped from the Coralville line at a cost of $85,000 to $90,000. In August 1967 the company was interested but could not do it that year.
“It will be piped from the Coralville line at a cost of $85,000 to 90,000.” (document 3289, p. 1)
Sources: document 3291, p. 1 (1966-10-04: the clerk to write the Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric company); document 3289, p. 1 (1966-12-07: Glenn Potter's report); document 3279, p. 1 (1967-08-02: "the Gas Company was interested but couldn't get it done this year") · People: Glenn R. Potter, Wayne Stratton
May 2, 1968 – June 12, 1968
Ordinance No. 59: the gas franchise, approved by the voters 126 to 2
Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric presented a franchise ordinance (first reading March 6, second April 3, 1968); the council adopted it as Ordinance No. 59 on May 2, 1968, granting the company the right to operate a gas system in Tiffin for twenty-five years, and called a special election. On June 11, 1968 the voters approved the franchise, 126 for and 2 against (129 ballots), and the council declared the ordinance in force on June 12. The company said construction would depend on the new water system.
“Shall the Town of Tiffin, Iowa, grant a gas franchise to Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company, its successors and assigns, in accordance with Ordinance No. 59, passed by the Town Council of said Town on the 2nd day of May 1968” (document 3268, p. 2)
Sources: document 3271, p. 1 (1968-03-06: first reading); document 3270, p. 1 (1968-04-03: second reading); document 3269, p. 1 (1968-05-02: third reading, adopted as Ordinance No. 59; special election ordered for June 11); document 3268, p. 2 (canvass of the June 11, 1968 special election: 126 for, 2 against); document 4714, p. 1 (Ordinance No. 59) · Ord. 59
May 26, 1970 – December 2, 1970
Gas mains are laid with the new water system
Iowa-Illinois laid its mains in the summer of 1970, alongside the new water system (two lines north of the highway, one of them continuing to Oxford). In September the gas company was "in town and should be finished in three weeks"; by December the town paid Iowa-Illinois for gas at the water plant, and residents complained about charges for changing appliance orifices.
“The Gas Company is in Town and should be finished in three weeks.” (document 3215, p. 1)
Sources: document 3222, p. 1 (1970-05-26: the gas company's plans (start July 1, finish by September 1)); document 3215, p. 1 (1970-09-02); document 3208, p. 2 (1970-12-02: complaints about charges; bill "Iowa-Illinois gas & Electric (gas for water plant)")
November 9, 1964 – November 17, 1964
D. E. Edwards offers to drill the town's well at his own risk
Looking for water for a town water system, the council took bids on a test well. The only bid was J. E. Latta & Sons of Riverside: $600 for the test well and sand points. Well driller D. E. Edwards offered instead to drill a permanent well and test it himself, the town to pay nothing unless it produced at least 50 gallons a minute in a 14-day pumping test ($1,500 to $2,500 if it did). On November 17, on the advice of engineer Wayne Reed (a well that could not be tested first would commit the town), the council awarded the test well to Latta. The test well found water at about 70 feet (December 2, 1964).
“Mr. Edwards presented an alternate proposal, to drill a permanent well and test for flow himself with the understanding that if said flow was not attained, the Town would not pay him any amount.” (document 3322, p. 2)
“Glen moved, Bill Bream seconded the motion to award the contract for test well to Latta. Unanimously carried.” (document 3323, p. 1)
Sources: document 3322, p. 2 (Special Council Meeting, November 9, 1964: the Latta bid ($600) and Mr. Edwards' proposal); document 3323, p. 1 (1964-11-17 (continued): Wayne Reed's advice; contract to Latta); document 3321, p. 1 (1964-12-02: "Geologists hit the vein at about 70 feet") · People: D. E. Edwards, Wayne Reed