LS Council hears updates

Darrel Knecht

The Lime Springs City Council had a variety of items to discuss at its meeting on December 7. Various departments also gave reports.
Fire Board/Department
Fire Chief Tony Roberts said, “We did good at the party on Sunday (Christmas in Lime Springs). Everything went well.”
Mayor Barb Robinson reiterated, “The raffle went well and the paperwork has been submitted to Alliant to get $2,000 back.” The raffle was for helping pay for the Jaws of Life.
She said a 50 percent grant from the DNR to provide the department with grass fire fighting equipment includes shovels, spades and nozzles was received.
Roberts also said the mutual aid agreement had been returned from Cresco.
The fire chief asked for permission to attend area parades in 2011 without having to go before the Council for each parade and was granted permission.
Howard County Communications
Darrell Knecht, Howard County Emergency Management Coordinator attended the meeting to explain, “The County is doing some communications upgrades for all the public safety communications equipment. Some of the base radio equipment in the basement of the LEC (Law Enforcement Center) is over 30 years old and still have tubes.”
Sheriff Mike Miner later gave the Herald an example. “Last year, part of the radio for the hospital went down and when the repairman came, he had to contact a ham radio club to get parts. Some of the equipment is very outdated.”
Knecht asked if the County could put a repeater on the Lime Springs water tower, with antennas and microwave dishes. A building would also be erected at the base of the tower. “It will not cost Lime Springs any money. The entire project will cost $800,000 and we received a $600,000 grant from FEMA.”
All the towns would get a repeater to help with radio communications. The project is scheduled to be done in May.
Maintenance
• Dennis “Navajo” Grabau said he was pretty happy so far with how things were going in his department. “I have at least four dump truck loads of salt/sand, but would like a little more—maybe two more loads.”
He was authorized to purchase two loads of salt and sand mixture from the County.
• Councilman Kevin Bill looked into what it would cost to have snow removal done by an outside source. At 24¢ per pound, Councilman Gary Klomp remarked, “We have the equipment. Let’s use it.”
That seemed to be the concensus of the Council. Several pieces of equipment need maintenance. The big truck box is rusting out, but can be fixed without replacing the entire vehicle, said Grabau. “I think we paid $7,000 for it 14 years ago from the State Highway Department.”
Bill said, “The plow for the pick-up won’t make it through the season.” He will look into refurbishing the front plate at a cost of around $1,500. A new blade would be $5,000.
Councilwoman Carla Moser said what the others were thinking, “In my opinion, we can’t afford a new one.”
• The City got a new health insurance policy for Grabau, its one full-time employee. Policies had to be changed since the old policy required two employees. Its cost was $840 per month. The new policy is $811 per month.
• It was again discussed about having the temporary Maintenance person to get certified for some things associated with the job. Nothing was decided.
Library
Janelle Mahr spoke about the Library saying Tammy Kelly returned to work after some time off.
She gave an update on what was happening in the Library and stated board member Betty DeRuiter turned in her resignation.
Community Center
Jill Johnson said the Basket Auction raised around $830 at Christmas in Lime Springs, about the same as last year.
A bell pole has been put up in front of the building. The Buresh School bell will be put on the pole.
In conjunction with Jacob Johnson’s Eagle Scout project of landscaping at the Community Center, the board wants to put in a curb in front to make room for more parking.
The checkbook for the Community Center was handed over to the City. The Council voted to allow the Community Center a special fund to be kept for money not used by the end of the year. The account will be a savings for major project such as replacing the carpeting in the next few years.
She added, “I feel bad about asking the City for that, knowing the state its finances are in and I think everyone is going to have to help in keeping expenses down.”
Pool and Park
The City now has the checkbook for the Pool and Parks. The City voted to allow a special fund for left-over money from the year to stay with the department rather than be put in the general fund.
Moser spoke on behalf of the pool saying the pool year is October 1-September 30. “So far, since October 1, we have received $2,050. They were memorial from Earl Johnson, Jean Mundfrom and Lyle Stevenson, a $100 donation from a friend of Laney Stevenson’s who had fun in the summer and $930 from Oneota’s waffle breakfast at Sweet Corn Days.”
She was excited to report with all the donations of the last year and even with all the work done to the bottom of the pool, the pool cost the City only $4,334.
In the past, it had been reported the pool lost $20,000 each year, so this was a very good year.
SALC
Moser, a member of the Spring Ahead Learning Center Board, read a thank-you from the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District acknowledging the support the City has given SALC.
Moser noted a prime rib dinner was to be held January 29 with tickets going for $35.00 each.
She added, the groundbreaking will probably take place in the fall instead of spring, which had been the goal.
Eagle Scout
Tommy Roberts is looking for an Eagle Scout project for the next year. Suggestions included putting in new park equipment at Brown Park or fixing the flower planters.
Other business
Robinson said someone shot a gun inside the city limits of Lime Springs and shot a dog. This is not tolerated and will be dealt with if the offender is found.
The Flood Plain Map will need to be updated for the DNR.
The next regular meeting will be January 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center.