City has excess wood chips

—Council learned locals could take as many as needed
Cresco - Cresco City Council and attendees were given a Christmas gift of a short meeting on Dec. 17. Most of the business was just informational for council members.
Public Works Director Rod Freidhof said wood chipping was taking place at the compost pile. “We’ve got a pretty big pile we need to get rid of,” he stated. Paris Foods will be taking some of the chips to utilize for composting. Freidhof noted anyone can take them.
It was related Jim Henry was retiring after 29 years. “We started about the same time. I’m happy for him,” Freidhof said.
Complete Tree Service has already started removing ash trees.
The sewer on Vernon Road was televised in case the road was repaved this spring. The sewer looked good, but as it turns out, the project was rejected by Council at the work session before the meeting.
Two sewer main breaks took place over the prior two weeks. On Dec. 9, a main broke at 5th Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW. It was clamped and broke again. A 10-foot chunk was cut out and replaced, and it broke. Another clamp was installed, and it held.
Later that week, a 300-foot section of the main was replaced.
A second water main break happened on Dec. 12 at 4th St. SE and 3rd Ave. SE. No further problems arose with that fix.
• In other business from the meeting, Police Chief Tim Ruroden reported gun training took place in November for officers, as well as an active shooter training at the high school.
Ruroden gave information on a tankless water heater, which was requested at the last meeting. The water would be used in cleaning cars.
It had been mentioned a water heater with a tank would use unnecessary electricity to keep it hot. Council person Amy Bouska brought up the point that the solar power energy at the street shop was not being used up. “We could have a hot water heater there for relatively free electricity.” 
The chief will get a different set of quotes for next meeting.
• Director Cynthia Kay gave an update on Cresco Public Library. She said a new board member was needed, but a likely volunteer is being considered.
Staff members will be able to take online continuing education classes on Thursday, Jan. 17, so the library will be closed that day.
• Council member Dave Brenno reported on the park board, which recommended extending the yearly lease for the senior meal site at Kessel Lodge to a three-year arrangement. Both parties will be able to cancel the lease with a 30-day notice at any time. Later the Council agreed to the change.
Brenno also stated the Cresco Fitness Center has a membership of 700. “That number goes up and down periodically,” he explained.
Third-sixth grade children are participating in basketball with 115 taking part.
• Wendy Lickteig, Cresco Theatre manager, reported on how busy the venue has been with private parties, including Regional Health Services of Howard County and Howard County 4-H, as well as rentals of Champlin Hall. She was excited to report some special entertainment coming up in the early part of the year, including the White Sidewalls, an illusionist and Tonic Sol-fa.
• Jamie Hackman went from part-time status to full-time status for the Park & Rec department. It was noted it was hard to find available part-time help. In addition, four staff members are getting close to retirement age.
• A Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales was given to Mighty Howard County Fair and Howard County Expo.
• Excavator licenses were approved for James Henry for Henry’s Backhoe Service; Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric; Mehmert Tiling; Skyline Construction; and MB Inc.
• Tree Surgeon Licenses were approved for Tarzan Tree Service; Total Tree Care; Tim Walton Tree Service; Complete Tree Service; and Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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