Cresco City Council approves street closings for Brew & Stew event

Cresco - City Council members approved street closings for the annual Brew & Stew 5K Walk/Run and 15K Bike Ride that is to take place on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Streets closed will include parts of North Elm St., 1st Ave., North Park Place and South Park Place.

• In other business from the March 2 meeting, Police Chief Tim Ruroden noted domestic disturbance calls were up (six for February compared to two in January). Narcotic arrests also were up (12/10).

In addition, parking citations more than doubled in February (80/32). There were several complaints from those being ticketed. 

Residents were reminded the ordinance states snow removal parking is effective from Nov. 15-April 15. Parking is allowed on odd-numbered days on odd-numbered house and property numbered streets from  5 p.m. until 5 p.m. the next day. The same times are allowed on even-numbered days and streets. Cost of the fine is $15.00.

• City Clerk Michelle Girolamo noted the City has 280 serviceline policies through Service Line Warranties of America for sewer and 265 for water. Since beginning the program, the company has taken care of 195 jobs for a total of $148,000. They will start offering in-home plumbing and drainage coverage, which will not have anything to do with the City nor be endorsed by the City.

• Council approved the Property Tax Levy report, but not before a few questions were answered. 

Council member Dave Brenno asked about the recent part-time to full-time position of Cresco Theatre & Opera House manager Wendy Lickteig. He wondered if her extra pay is figured into the rest of the fiscal year, which it is. 

In addition, he asked what happens if the theatre or fitness center spends over their budgets. Girolamo said the fitness center has money in reserve it can transfer, and the theatre has never had a problem.

She added Lickteig is working on a 40-hour week. “She has a flexible schedule. The pay schedule starts on Saturday, so if something comes up, she can compensate her hours during the week without overtime.”

A budget hearing on the same figures will be held at the next meeting. Girolamo explained, “The state of Iowa wants the budgets to be more transparent, so we now have to have two different public hearings in the hopes that more people will show up.”

The total maximum levy for affected property tax levies was $1,733,570.

• A Class E Liquor License, Class B Wine Permit and Class C Beer Permit with Sunday Sales was approved for Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts. A Class B Native Wine Permit was issued to Plantpeddler.

• The one and only pay request was approved to Howard County for the Vernon Road Reconstruction Project for $200,873.86.

• The second reading of the amended golf cart and UTV ordinance was approved.

• Council authorized the mayor to enter into a rental service agreement with City Laundering Co.

The next City Council meeting will be on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at Cresco City Hall.