L.S. siren not working

Lime Springs - Some locals may have noticed the tornado siren, which includes the noon and 6 p.m. whistle, isn’t working. Council learned at its Feb. 12 meeting (postponed from Feb. 5), the unit will need to be taken down to see if it can be fixed. Otherwise, Public Works Director Casey Sebastian and Fire Chief Nathan Schwickerath will look into getting a replacement, which could cost $20,000-30,000.

• In other business from the meeting, Sebastian noted the City will need to purchase another aerator for the sewer plant. As he stated at a previous meeting, there is currently one working. Another has a broken motor, which is eligible to be replaced by warranty. A new aerator will cost around $8,800. 

With the cold weather and frozen water, it can’t be installed until at least April, so the City can wait to purchase the new one.

Snow removal was mentioned by Council person Kris Kraft. Mayor Kevin Bill stated he talked with Dale Schwade of A&K, who agreed to help with snow removal, if the City would help get rid of the big pile on its property.

• Eddie Miller spoke on behalf of the Library Board. “We applied for a Howard County Community Foundation grant for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.” He also indicated the library will apply for the 2019 St. Paul Lutheran Church Mission grant.

The library was busy the past month with 15 boys taking part in  the boys’ lock-in, a Lego program, special movies, as well as many regular programs.

Miller then asked why the council wanted to have a time clock in the library for three employees.

Bill stated, “Council would like to see it implemented so every entity is treated equal.” 

Council person Brad Johnson asked how many used the time clock at City Hall. The answer was three.

Miller countered, “No other library in Howard County has a time clock.”

Bill said, “The time card is easier to see, rather than writing it down. It will make a commonality between all the entities.”

Council person Amy Norton mentioned, “The library is actually governed by the state. Do we have a right to [make the library use a time clock]?”

Bill said the City should check with the League of Cities for an answer. Council agreed to have a special meeting closed to the public to discuss issues with the library. The city attorney, Thais Foltes, will be invited.

• Richard Cottrell reported the weather hadn’t been very good for Bingo. “We’ve had five sessions and started with 30 attending. It’s been down hill since.” He did admit Bingo, which is being sponsored by nine local organizations, made about $1,000 in those five sessions.

Cottrell is also trying to get a senior citizen group organized. On March 6, there will be a meeting for possible services available to the 90 Lime Springs seniors. It will be from 11 a.m.-noon.

• Council agreed to allow Cottrell, who with wife Angela, purchased the old elementary building, to use one of the classrooms as a storage unit. It will have three storage units and two closets. “Renters will enter in the east door, and I will put it in the agreement that no flammables will be stored in there.” If the storage units are popular, he may remodel other classrooms for storage.

• The next City Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 5.