The Garretson City Council meeting held on Monday, July 6 heard an update on the Main Ave/Truck Route construction, a request to help install water lines to the buildings between the railroad tracks on Dows, and a request to encourage removal of the chemical spill dumpsters by Nachurs Alpine. The meeting also saw the installation of the 2020-21 City Council, which had been voted in on June 2.
The meeting began with updates from the park board and fire department, as well as approval of natural gas rates.
The Garretson Parks Advisory Committee (GPAC) reported that the mulch installation at the playground of the Jayceeās Sports Complex (JSC) had just been completed, and it was a bigger project than had been anticipated, as much of the base was gravel and pea rock that had compacted. It required the use of borrowed equipment (for which they thanked CHS) and manual labor to remove. A 9ā layer of shredded wood mulch has now been laid, which brings the playground up to CPSC playground safety standards. The sidewalk and curb project at JSC was given the go-ahead and should be completed in the next few weeks, and a short sidewalk will also be laid near the picnic shelter to help with ADA standards and playground access. Two new pads for bleachers will also be laid. Several ash trees were removed from the complex, partially to keep costs down since the ash borer has not yet been discovered in our immediate area, and partly to keep heavy equipment off the new concrete that will be laid. GPAC is gathering estimates for shade structures and is working closely with the City to have trees replaced. The concession stand and picnic shelter have also been painted.
At Split Rock Park, GPAC is working on replacing the sign at the entrance to the park, and are hoping to have that completed by Jesse James Days in August. They noted that theyāre working with a local metal sign maker, King Skull Metalworks, and that he will also be making a sign to be placed at the visitorās center in Devilās Gulch by the flagpole. They will also be doing some landscaping work at the Devilās Gulch visitorās center, including the installation of Kwik Kerb.
After GPACās report, the council then heard the quarterly report from the fire department. Fire Chief Dan Wagner presented, noting that in March, they had begun doing birthday party drive-bys to help with community morale while in the midst of the pandemic. They also participated in graduation drives and the end of year teacher parade, and the council thanked them for their willingness to raise spirits. During the spring, calls have continued, but when asked if the fire department had enough PPE, Wagner said theyāve mostly let the ambulance take point on that and theyāve been doing standby, so their PPE reserves are fine at this time.
Next, the council heard an update on street construction from City Maintenance Supervisor Craig Nussbaum. First Rate Excavate was contracted by the bond company to complete the Main Avenue and Truck Route project, and they had started that morning on Main. They will have Main 90% completed (to at least a hard-pack gravel surface) prior to beginning on the Truck Route. They are planning for Main to take 6 to 8 weeks, and for the entire project to be completed by November 15. First Rate has also agreed to do the Lacey Avenue extension, but no estimate had been received yet. Council member Richelle Hofer asked Nussbaum if he had been in contact with Jesse James Country Store regarding the street project, as they had inquired, and he responded that he had.
The new Executive Director of MCEDA/LCEDA, Jesse Fonkert, then introduced himself to the council. He thanked Garretson for being part of the organization, and let the council know that he was available for any economic development needs or questions.
The council adjourned, and re-adjourned as the new council for 2020-21. The mayor and all council members except Tom Godbey had been up for re-election, and members Richelle Hofer and Jodi Gloe had been voted back in during a close 4-way election. The other council members were uncontested. Council members Dave Bonte and Greg Franka were nominated and voted to be President and Vice President, respectively. Committee appointments remained the same.
After the oaths of office were completed, the council heard a request from Rod Tillma, owner of Central Valley Dairy, to help his business work with BNSF Railroad to get water lines installed to his buildings. They are situated between the split railroad tracks on Dows, and he had been working the better part of over a year to get permission to bore for water lines under the tracks. He was unsuccessful with getting a response, even while working closely with Nussbaum. He would like water for not only bathroom facilities, but also a fire hydrant in case of fire. He pointed out there were also CHS propane tanks in the vicinity that were unprotected if there was ever a fire, and Fire Chief Dan Wagner pointed out that his trucks alone would not be able to contain a fire without a hydrant or even two in the area. The council agreed that the lack of response was inappropriate, and agreed to put their support behind getting this issue resolved. Council member Bonte said that the City should move quickly to ensure this project was completed sooner rather than later. City Finance Officer Anna Uhl agreed to take point with the councilās support.
The council then moved to ordinances and resolutions. They voted to approve a fence variance request for 409 Essex, and approved an urban renewal ordinance for the former senior citizenās and former Hoven buildings. The urban renewal ordinance allows owner Norm DeWitt to take advantage of tax breaks for the first six years. He is retro-fitting the buildings into apartment housing and indoor parking.
The last resolutions were re-wordings of the resolutions passed in June, which dealt with how water and sewer rates are itemized. Uhl said the state requested the surcharge be separated out from the base rate. Prices were still the same regardless. The council voted unanimously to approve the resolutions.
The floor was then opened for public comments. Community member Bruce Brown requested the City take action towards removal of the dumpsters on Nachurs Alpine property. These dumpsters are assumedly holding the chemical spill clean-up that occurred in March. Not only is this a concern for public health and safety, and an eyesore, but the trucks used in the clean-up effort ruined the road. With Railroad Avenue on schedule to be replaced in the next few months, the mayor expressed concern that the dumpster removal could ruin the new road as well. Mayor Greg Beaner agreed to ensure those were removed as soon as possible.
Council member Hofer then addressed a drainage issue that had been brought up by a community member on Garretson Living a few weeks ago. It was found that a drain had been nicked by equipment and was no longer functioning properly, which meant that dirt and debris from the new development were again flowing down Sarah C Street when it rained. It had since been fixed, and had worked during a downpour that morning. Another drain is also being worked on in the southwest corner of the development to ensure the backyards and field to the south and west didnāt develop drainage issues as well. The council again asks that residents contact the City or their Ward representative directly when issues are found instead of complaining on Facebook, as direct communication is more effective.
The final piece before the council entered executive session was to surplus the old police radar trailer, which hadnāt been used in many years. This is part of an effort by the maintenance department to clean up the area around City Hall. Nussbaum noted that an ad could be placed in the paper to see if there was any interest.
After executive session, the council voted to raise Nussbaumās wages the previously agreed-upon 3%. Council member Hofer noted that the City should budget for wage increases for 2021 to match the rates that had been brought up by the study presented in June.
The council then adjourned. The next meeting will be August 3 at 6:30 p.m. The council will continue to meet at the Legion in the future unless community pandemic numbers increase substantially.
