By Marcie Klomp
An issue on Lime Springs City Council’s agenda that was first raised a year ago was handily resolved at the June 3 meeting. Councilman Kevin Bill made the motion of “No permits for fireworks on private property will be allowed inside City limits.” The other council members agreed.
For several years a resident had been getting permission from the County, which led council to believe the permit was the supervisors’ decision. Turns out, Howard County didn’t realize the resident lived within the limits of Lime Springs, making it a City matter.
• In other business Public Works Director Casey Sebastian said water accountability continues to get better. Lately, the town uses approximately 200,000 gallons of water in three days. About six weeks prior it was close to $125,000 per day.
The City has been purchasing new water meters for homes and businesses. This is to replace some meters that are way over their life expectancy. The new meters will also be capable of remote access to read them. The benefit of this is that by checking them periodically during the month, leaks will be noticed, and home owners can be told of a possible problem, rather than all of a sudden getting a $500 water bill on a single household.
• Lime Springs did not get a $300,000 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant), which would have helped with the sewer project. City Engineer George Tekippe offered, “I would encourage you to find out now where we lost points and, with that, look at resubmitting this fall. I’ve seen where it wasn’t given the first year, but it was given the second year.”
Tekippe then spoke about a generator at the wastewater plant. When the new system goes in, a generator is required. At that point, the City’s generator could then be used at the community center.
Permits were submitted for the well improvement project.
• Sebastian was happy to inform council that some of the practices he has been slowing putting into place are paying off. “Sunday night, the Lime Springs well called me and Ed [Hampe]. We met at the well at midnight.”
A surge possibly tripped a breaker during the June 1 storms. The guys were able to get the well working without anyone knowing there had been a problem. “The dialer called. It worked like it was supposed to. The only people who knew about it were me and Ed.”
• A dissolved oxygen and pH meter will be purchased with billing to be in the new fiscal year. It is a required piece of equipment for the water department.
• Attorney Kevin Schoeberl went over the 28E agreement with Howard County Sheriff Dept. and found a few areas the City would like changed. Mayor Barb Robinson will talk these changes over with Sheriff Mike Miner.
• A complaint letter was received on an unlicensed vehicle in the boulevard on the north side of the former Tank & Tummy.
Another letter was received about a tree that was cut down.
Seventy percent of the tree was on the owners property, rather than the boulevard. The City paid entirely for having it removed. The owner wants to be compensated.
Bill stated, “It was a safety hazard.” The complaint will be sent to the attorney.
• All council members, except Bill, voted to protest an unemployment claim.
• The dump will be open on June 14 and 28 this month from 8-noon.
• Building permits were issued to Jason Munkel for a deck and to rebuild a shed and to Julian Mueller for a fence and cement driveway.
• The liquor license for KCDs was approved.
• The Dam Bar was asking permission to put up a sign that hangs over the sidewalk. Councilperson Jimmy Miller noted when he had the bar, he was told any signs had to be against the wall for liability reasons. Council did not act on the request.
• Council will be meeting on June 17 at 7 p.m. for employee evaluations. After that, the regular council meeting will be July 1.
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