L.S. approves ATV ordinance

Lime Springs - At the Nov. 7 monthly meeting for Lime Springs City Council, members approved an ordinance allowing All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Off-Road Utility Vehicles (side-by-side) to navigate the streets of town while obeying the ordinance. 

• In other business, Council discussed the abatement procedure as was explained in a letter from City Attorney Kevin Schoeberl. Mayor Kevin Bill said, “We’ve given them ample time [to fix the property]. Send another letter.”

Abatement procedures are moving forward.

• The HVAC issue in the fire station/community center was discussed. City Engineers Bolton & Menk, Inc. hired a consulting firm to give options.

In regards to the fire station, Public Works Director Casey Sebastian explained the report, “Geothermal is good for maintaining the heat, but not for recovery.” It takes too long to get the temperature back up after the doors have been opened. He recommends a second unit for the ceiling to help.

Bill asked Nate Schwickerath if the department would help with the cost. The fire chief answered, “We’d have to take away from our safety items, and I won’t do that.”

Bill stated, “We need to figure out how to finance this.”

The estimated cost of putting in a loop for the geothermal unit and adding ceiling heater/s would be around $100,000.

• There are seven junk vehicles that still need to be addressed. Council authorized the Sheriff’s Department to personally deliver letters, and the cost will be assessed to the home owner.

• The county is willing to work with Gary Weyers to get a path from town to Casey’s, so people don’t have to walk or ride a bike on the road.

• The City of Lime Springs may have to repay a portion of the RISE (Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy) grant it received for paving done at Casey’s and LimeSprings Beef. The total cost of the work was just shy of $500,000. Of that, the City received a RISE grant in the amount of $286,686, with the City paying the remainder of the bill, around $200,000.

One of the stipulations of the RISE grant was that LimeSprings Beef would have 50 employees on the payroll for at least six months. Those employees have to be on the payroll by July 22, 2019 to complete the grant, otherwise the City has to pay back some or all of the grant funds.

Council will keep an eye on how the employee issue is transpiring at the beef plant.

• A demolition permit was approved for Johnson Farms, who will be tearing down the house just south of its plant, formerly owned as a rental property of Jim Miller Sr.

• A resolution was approved that would put “Dead End” signs on the short road between Miller Street/Lower Mill Road and 40th St., located just north of Johnson Farms. The road, which has been closed, will now be permanently closed.

• Schwickerath gave the Fire Department report, stating personnel had Fire Prevention programs two days at the station and one day at the library. “Next year we plan to do an open house.”

The department is also working on a dance and raffle to be held in January.

• Community Center continues to have Bingo. In addition, they are getting baskets ready for the auction to be held during Christmas in Lime Springs on Dec. 3.

• Ed Hampe talked about the Northeast Iowa Food Bank meeting he attended. “Anybody can go there.” Food is given the first Saturday of the month at First Lutheran Church in Cresco. It helps 100 families and 300 people.

• Sebastian talked about a proposal on leasing a tractor for the city. He also had an energy assessment done.

The next Council meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 5.