Cresco Council approves hotel/motel grants

CRESCO - Driftrunners was awarded $4,000 to promote Snowfest 2022, which in turn helps the town and county with visitors. The Hotel/Motel Tax made the funds available. Cresco City Council approved the recommendation.

Also receiving funds was for a bronze statue to be put up at City Hall in the late Mayor Mark Bohle’s name. The award was granted for up to $2,400. The family is hoping to raise the remaining funds, but wanted to purchase the statue sooner, rather than later.

Also taking place at the Jan. 5 meeting of the Cresco Council, Gary Kriener took his council seat to replace Dave Brenno, who was elected mayor. Council person Amy Bouska was appointed mayor pro-tem. “I would be honored to serve again,” she said.

In addition, council members and administrators were appointed to committees. These included:

Public Works Committee — Brenno, Council Persons Rich McConnell and Alex Fortune, City Clerk Michelle Elton and Public Works Director Nate Widell. This committee will likely meet more frequently as there is a big street project (7th St. W) in the works.

Fire — Brenno, McConnell and Kriener, once per year with rural and city representatives.

Tourism — Bouska and Council Person Jan Carman. This committee meets four times a year to go over tourism grants.

CIDC (Cresco Industrial Development Corp.)— Brenno and McConnell, once a month at noon.

Chamber — Carman, once a month.

HCED (Howard County Economic Development) — Bouska. This group meets once a month at 5:30 p.m. in different towns in the county.

City Revolving Loan Fund — Elton. There is no need for a council representative since all applications are reviewed by council.

IRP — Brenno and Kriener. The Chamber Revolving Loan Fund needs a city representative.

Housing — Bouska

Park & Recreation — McConnell. The group meets the second Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and noon during the summer.

Library — Carman, once per month on the second Monday.

Theatre — Fortune, once per month on the second Monday.

Airport — McConnell and Widell

Board of Adjustments and Planning and Zoning — Widell

Public Safety — Police Chief Tim Ruroden and Brenno

Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority Board — Bouska

• In other business from the meeting, Widell reported a water main break was fixed. It was leaking since the prior week, but wasn’t found until Monday and fixed on Wednesday.

He reminded residents to not push snow onto other people’s property. In addition, the City advises residents to not push snow across the road, as it leaves ruts.

• Ruroden announced the police department had been busy in 2021, with over 4,000 calls. He was happy to say he made an offer to a new officer, who will start on Jan. 17 and then take classes. He also has two reserve officers.

• Elton reported she already has the W-2s out and is working on 1099s.

• For the Library, Jordyn Moore stated she was back to work on Dec. 14 after quarantining. Two new employees were hired. Library programs are getting better attendance than there had been all year.

• The council voted to pledge $8,000 to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for 2023. Bouska said, “We get back a lot more than we give in.” 

• Carman reported on COVID-19 saying, “Omicron is here. Public Health says it is more contagious but less severe.” She stated Howard County’s positivity rate is 8%, and there is one facility in the county in outbreak status.