Demo of Willard St. buildings to start by end of April

LIME SPRINGS - At the April 5, 2022 meeting, Council members learned the City of Lime Springs can start taking down the Tienter and Jenkins buildings on Willard St. whenever contractors are able to begin.

The City was hoping to get some financial help for the asbestos removal and demolition through a DNR derelict building grant. Part of the grant stipulation was that work could not begin until the City received notification of winning or losing the grant.

It was announced the City is on the schedule for asbestos removal, starting the end of April. Mehmert can then get the rest of it removed in a week.

Members were relieved, especially since a drifter had been found living in there for a few days.

• In other business, Spring Ahead Learning Center board members finally gave Council a second denial letter from insurance companies for an employee sexual abuse clause.

The City’s attorney still advised not to accept the terms of the lease without the clause, but Council members voted to delete the last sentence, asking for the clause, and accepting the lease. 

The paperwork will be redone and signed.

SALC board president Carolyn Naegle then said the date on the lease should be changed from ending June 30, 2024 to Oct. 5, 2021, when the lease was first written.

Council agreed.

• Fire Chief Scott Osmundson reported firefighter Brady Vrieze resigned. In addition, the department received a grant for a generator for the fire station/community center.

• Eddie Miller gave the Library report, listing many activities taking place in the past month. He said for February there were 221 town patrons and 156 from the country for a total of 377.

• There was no Community Center report.

• Sharla Lieder updated Council on happenings in the Park & Rec. Department. 

“We are looking to have a clean-up day in May focusing on parks and pool area.”

The Pool is planning the annual Mother’s Day salad luncheon.

There were a few applications for guards received.

“We were approved for some grants — $2,000 to help paint the pool. It will take $5,000 to paint the entire pool. We also received $2,000 to replace the volleyball court and nets.”

Weather is always iffy the end of May, but the board is hoping to open for Memorial Day weekend.

• Public Works Director Tyler Smith reported on several issues facing the city.

~ “We have an issue with beaver and muskrats at the sewer plant, but I’m getting on top of it.” Brent Mehmert gave some advice on blocking off the pipe to critters and leaving it open for water.

~ Some citizens had concerns about rock on their lawns after the winter of plowing. Smith said he could get an attachment to the weed eater for $300 or a brush to attach to the lawn tractor for $3,500-$4,500. Council agreed to go with the $300 attachment.

~ He also said he found a good used diesel truck. Council wanted to think about it until the next meeting.

~ Smith talked to Linkenmeyer about crushing cement at the dump. “He’s getting me a price this week. He is really busy. He won’t be able to get here until late June or early July.”

~ Six signs have been ordered saying no heavy trucks. They will be placed along Forest, West Main and West Jackson Streets to keep semis from going down unauthorized residential streets. Four other signs for no parking during snow removal were also ordered.

• Council approved the agreement with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office for paying $15 per capita per quarter for sheriff protection.

• A 28E agreement was signed to pay dues of $1,200 to Howard County Business & Tourism for the year.

• Council approved a public hearing date of May 3 to enter into a water revenue loan agreement and to borrow money in a principal amount not to exceed $600,000.

• Another public hearing to enter into a general obligation corporate purpose loan agreement and to borrow money not to exceed $1.5 million on May 3 was approved.

• In addition, a public hearing for a budget amendment for FY 2022 was approved for May 3.

• Questions regarding the golf cart ordinance and enforcing who can drive one was discussed. Council did not see a problem with driving one without a driver’s license, but felt liability insurance should be purchased.

• City Clerk Jane Tibbals was instructed to continue working on getting a dog out of town that had bit someone last year.