Cresco may get fireworks stand

CRESCO - Council members learned the City has no choice but to allow the sale of fireworks in City limits according to State Code. At the May 20 meeting, a public hearing for Ordinance No. 4779 was set for June 3, pertaining to the sale of fireworks.

There is a party interested in having a tent on Hwy. 9 East but has not yet made a decision.

The State’s 2017 law allows for the sale of fireworks in a temporary structure, such as a tent, from June 13-July 8. Sellers need to be licensed by the State Fire Marshal and comply with State laws. In addition, sellers must get a City Permit and provide Proof of Liability.

It will still be a misdemeanor to discharge fireworks in Cresco City limits.

Currently, there have been no licenses issued in Howard County. Winneshiek County has two temporary tents (Festina and Decorah) and one permanent (Decorah Walmart). Chickasaw has one permanent (Decorah Theisen’s). Mitchell County also has one permanent (Aluminum King Manufacturing in Mitchell).

• Rod Freidhof, Public Works Director, reported the 2nd Street Project was close to having the road open to cross traffic and residents. Boulevard tree planting was taking place. Some residents approached the City asking for a tree. All the sludge was removed from the wastewater plant. There were 99 fire hydrants painted in the prior week.

• City Clerk Michelle Girolamo said two houses from the housing rehab project were inspected. They are just waiting on radon results. Four other houses are ready to be inspected.

• Cynthia Kay, Library Director, received three quotes for carpet cleaning.

• After there were no comments during a public hearing, Council voted to sell the city-owned property at 218 5th Ave. East to Wemark Luxury Rentals LLC for $1.00. The purchaser agrees to construct a single-family residential unit and all site improvements.

• Freidhof opened five bids for concreting half of the alley by the library. They were Scholbrock Masonry $10,455; Midwest Concrete $12,400; L&S Masonry $15,700; Ollendieck Construction $11,744; and Mudslingers Construction $10,990. The low quote of $10,455 was accepted from Scholbrock Masonry. The work has to be completed by Oct. 1, 2019.

• A resolution for accepting work for construction of the downtown alley storm reconstruction was approved. Contractor is Mehmert Tiling, Inc.

• The second reading of the water rates increase was performed. It states that effective July 1, 2019, City rates are $5.03 per 1,000 gallons for first 7,000 gallons used, with a minimum bill of $7.55; the next 60,000 gallons will be billed at $4.59 per 1,000; and everything over 67,000 gallons would be $4.20 per 1,000.

Rates outside the City also take effect July 1. They are $10.06 per 1,000 gallons for first 7,000 gallons used, with a minimum bill of $15.09; the next 60,000 gallons will be billed at $9.18 per 1,000; and everything over 67,000 gallons would be $8.40 per 1,000.

• In addition, the second reading of sewer rate increases was performed. It states that effective July 1, 2019, City rates are $8.58 per 1,000 gallons for first 7,000 gallons used, with a minimum bill of $12.87. Outside the limits will be billed at $17.16 per 1,000 gallons with a minimum bill of $25.74. All will be billed $3.50 per month for the Capital Improvement Fund.

• A new fund, the Park Tree Fund, was established, allowing residents to donate money to save or plant trees. The fund will allow the city to keep better track of expenses and revenues.

• Money loaned to the Cresco Theatre Commission’s Marquee Project was paid back, allowing $11,036.76 to be transfered to the Local Option Sales Tax Project Fund.

• Freidhof said he had sold the trailer at 400 3rd St. SW that day. The trailer was in the block recently cleared by the City for new housing. It would have cost the City around $12,000 to move the trailer, so members thought the $1.00 sale was a bargain.

• With the trailer gone, City Council then had to decide what to do with the just under three acres. A Request For Proposal (RFP) will be given, with an issue date of May 29 and submission date of Aug. 12 at noon.

A selection committee of Mayor Bohle, Freidhof, members Dave Brenno and Alex Fortune and Howard County Business & Tourism Director Jason Passmore. All proposals will then be brought before the full council.

• Council member Steve McCarville brought up how some sump pumps run year-round, draining into the street. This makes the streets yucky with green slime and slippery. Freidhof will determine if there are any solutions to the problem.

• The downtown sidewalk issue will be addressed at the next council meeting on Monday, June 3.