L.S. Council hears reports

Lime Springs - Jason Passmore announced Dan Gable was the main speaker at the upcoming Howard County Business and Tourism banquet on April 9. 

In addition, he told Lime Springs City Council members the organization is hosting a Northeast Iowa STEM Festival at the Expo Center in Cresco. “This allows students/youth, about 500-600 of them, to learn about Science Technology, Engineering and Math. It takes place on April 11 from 4-6 p.m.”

Other happenings in the county include the Great Eastern Iowa Tractor Ride on June 9-12. One stop will be breakfast at Lidtke Mill.

• In other business, Fire Chief Nathan Schwickerath said the previous month was extra busy. “We usually get 12-14 calls a year and we had five in the past month . . . three of them related to snowmobiles.”

The fire department is working on grants, mostly asking for communications equipment, including a radio for one of the trucks and portable radios.

“And a reminder for property owners to keep the fire hydrants clear. It could take us up to 10 minutes to clear a hydrant during a fire. Also,  check to make sure your neighbors’ furnace vents are clear.”

Richard Cottrell commented the back door from the community center was blocked by snow. “There’s the ‘Exit’ sign, but we can’t go out the door.”

Public Works Director Casey Sebastian stated it was cleared by the time the council meeting took place. 

Schwickerath added the door should have a panic bar, rather than door handle. The Community Center Board will look into it.

• Cottrell gave a report on Bingo, stating, “If the weather cooperates, this will do the community good.” So far, after eight sessions, each organization helping with Bingo has received $100 to help with projects.

Cottrell also said Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging was to have a representative talk to locals on March 6 regarding programs available to seniors from the Lime Springs area.

• President of the Library Board, Eddie Miller, gave the monthly report. The Library applied for accreditation. He listed the different events taking place in February and upcoming in the month of March. “With the grants we applied for, we are getting a computer that is only for kids.” He added the number of town patrons was 246 for January, with country patrons numbering 180.

After the monthly report, Miller asked to address some unresolved issues with the City. See accompanying story for more information.

• Jill Tibbals noted the Pool & Parks Board was working on grants and had finished the budget. “We helped serve at Bingo last night (March 4).”

• Sebastian said he found out Rural Development may have grants available to replace the tornado/dinner siren. “We’ll know in a couple days.”

For $50, he found he could have the town’s dump truck inspected to learn what needs to be fixed and in what order it would be best to fix parts. “The roads are hard on stuff,” he said.

Council person Kris Kraft asked to give Matthew Leverson, on-call snow removal person, and Ed Hampe, part-time public works employee the same pay as Sebastian during the dangerous snow and wind storm on Feb. 24. Council agreed.

Councilman Jimmy Miller said there needs to be a policy for snow storms. As a county worker, he said they were called off the roads. “People should stay home. We don’t want to risk someone’s life to save someone’s life.”

• Brian Malm of Bolton & Menk engineering firm spoke about the sewer project. The next deadline is August 2019. He will try to get Lime Springs designated as a disadvantaged community again, giving the town extra time to find a solution for getting rid of the nitrogen in the water at the sewer plant.

Residents could be looking at a huge increase in sewer costs, from a base fee of $16.76 up to possibly $47.50 per month. This would show those doling out grant money how dedicated the town is to getting the sewer up-to-date.

Malm also addressed the notice of non-compliance received by the City. He said Sebastian has been doing as well as he can. “You’ve got to expect non-compliance with a plant of its age. We are also trying not to invest too much in the old facility to save money for the big project.”

• Amy Bouska of Howard County Energy District invited members of the council to an energy tour on April 5.