Microphones ordered for Cresco Council

CRESCO - Microphones for the Cresco City Council table have been ordered and were to be installed in time for the Feb. 21 meeting. The new equipment will hopefully help those watching the meeting on local Channel 3 and YouTube hear better.

 

• In other business from the Feb. 7 meeting, Council approved a winter adjustment to water and sewer bills for customers who run water to prevent service lines from freezing from Jan. 21-Feb. 21. Customers must contact City Hall.

 

Wendy and Dean Lickteig are working on the microphones. They will cost around $1,100. Wendy will be available at the next meeting to make sure everything is working.

 

• A fairly lengthy discussion was held regarding the proposed 10-year lease agreement for the airport with Midwest Custom Ag Aviation. The company wants to put down a cement pad with tie downs and a collection pit. Monthly rent would be $125.

 

Council members suggest a 3% annual increase in rent. In addition, members want some wording changes in regards to who is responsible for accidents.

 

• Council learned rates for the Service Line warranties were going to raise a dollar per month with renewals.

 

• Angela Bries approached council during comments from the audience about a nuisance house (that has now spread onto 2-3 properties) near her

 

home. She first addressed council in October 2021 and hasn’t seen any progress.

 

“I don’t have closure and with spring coming, the problem isn’t getting any better.”

 

She was told there is a conflict of interest in the case for the City’s attorney, Joe Braun, so City Clerk Michelle Elton and Public Works Director Nate Widell will be seeing Attorney John Anderson of Decorah about the matter.

 

• Widell and Elton will also be talking to Anderson about the Hagen easement and subdivision rules.

 

• The Well #3 recasing project was completed the previous week and was back online. It is located at the old swimming pool and current location of the north set of solar panels.

 

• Widell said since now removal has been quiet, the Street Department was trimming trees and cleaning up snow piles.

 

• The new sweeper was ordered and is expected to be in town in May.

 

• Police Chief Tim Ruroden said the department was busier than usual with accidents, medical calls and traffic stops in January.

 

He added the new officer should be attending the Academy in March. The two reserve officers completed one of six modules on their online training.

 

Council person Amy Bouska asked about the large number of “attempt to locate”s. Ruroden explained it didn’t necessarily mean looking for a person. Many of the calls were for vehicles the county was looking for.

 

• Two quotes for stump

 

grinding were received, from Wilson Custom Tree and Walton Tree Service. Both bid 90¢ per inch. Elton mentioned since the total spent on the street budget for grinding was about $2,500 per year or 0.4% of the budget, it did not have to out for bids in the future.

 

Since Wilson had the bid this year, council voted to give it to Walton for this year.

 

Widell noted he waits until there are a dozen or so stumps before he calls the company.

 

• Council declared using $8,000 for housing rehabilitation in a payment to Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund.

 

• Council approved using their pledge of $3,888 to Northeast Iowa Community Action for family development and self-sufficiency and community adolescent and pregnancy prevention programs.