Bids to be let for A23, Jackson St.

LIME SPRINGS - Engineer Brian Malm of Bolton & Menk gave an update on the timeline for the A23 and Jackson St. projects.

Bids are due at Lime Springs City Hall by 11 a.m. on June 28. They will then be opened and tabulated, with results reported at the July 5 council meeting.

Work on A23 includes updating water and sewer where needed and putting down a rock base from the city limits to Merrill St. This work must be done by Sept. 30, 2022. In October, the county will be paving the road from Highway 63 to Merrill St. The county has also agreed to pay for up to $264,526.82 of the paving from city limits to Merrill St.

Work on W. Jackson St. will also include infrastructure, along with putting down a rock base and paving from Clark St. to N. Forest St. That project should be completed by Nov. 18, 2022.

• Chief Scott Osmundson gave the fire department report. There was one call, a tree branch in a power line on N. Miller St. “The generator project is moving forward.”

• Eddie Miller gave the Library Board update. “The Memorial Day luncheon had a nice turnout, and five graduates displayed their senior pictures during May.”

The Community Art Show was held in May, with 29 featured artists and 96 displays. Amy Schroeder had the winning art piece.

• Sharla Lieder gave the Park and Rec. report. She noted the park cleanup was held on May 14, with board members and a few kids helping. They picked up a lot of glass in the park area. 

The first week at the pool went great. “We were able to start a little earlier than normal,” she explained. The board received three new lifeguard applications.

There was a discussion on whether Holly Andersen could still be a voting member of the board if she was being paid to be manager. Council decided since it is hard enough to get volunteers, they will trust her to make the right decisions.

The bathrooms at Brown Park will only be opened from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Public Works Director Tyler Smith said he has been busy with the opening of the pool, mowing and working with Bolton & Menk. He also had some trees removed, flushed hydrants and put up some signs.

“There was one building permit — a privacy fence for Kathy Williamson.”

He also stated Brent Mehmert was going to give him a call when there was an overnight rain to start working on taking down the Tienter and Jenkins buildings on Willard St.

Smith’s plans for the next month included painting crosswalks, taking tests to get certified and filling potholes. Council person Richard Cottrell reminded him to be cautious of letting the truck run with the high cost of gas.

• Jami Schwickerath noted the Community Club did not need to close a street on June 11. The group decided to have a Garage Crawl.

• Council discussed the dog that has bitten several people and is still living in town. The Sheriff’s Office says it can’t do anything without a letter from the lawyer.

• Ethan Kraft, who has been in charge of the Sweet Corn Days ball tournament, came to talk to council.

He said he was busy before, during and after the ball tournament. “Wednesday, the family cleans up the park area. Thursday, I work on the field. I bring extra trash barrels. DeVrieses, who run the concession stand, help with trash, too.”

He also leaves the nickel deposit cans for some local group to redeem.

“I bring people to town and leave it to everyone else to get them to spend money.”

In addition to running the tournament, Kraft said he did not want to try to collect camping fees. “Besides, I’d rather have people stay here. Then there are no DUIs.” 

• New Commission appointments were assigned by Mayor Brian Johnson.

• The schedule of fees for FY2023 were reviewed and will be approved at the next meeting on July 5.