Large outlays were on tap at council meeting

GLENWOOD CITY — The City Council took action Monday evening to have the City in line to borrow funds to pay for needed equipment and street improvements.

First was the second payment to Haas and Sons in the amount of $83,394.00 for street work on Third, Elm and Limberg Court. Kevin Oium of Cedar Corporation explained that there will be a small final billing on the work that had a total cost of around $360,000.

Next the city approved a request from Doug Doornink, Public Works Director, to purchase a new tractor. What the city accepted was a John Deere 1445 with a cab, 60 inch lawn mower, snow blower and a broom. The cost of the machine is just over $34,000 and the city will get a $2,500 trade in for their 1999 Kubota lawn mower.

Next is the biggest item of the night. The council heard from Julie Lee and Charlo Draxler, who are co-directors of the Ambulance Service, who presented the price tag for a new ambulance. The council had review the need for a new unit over recent months and discussed the need with representatives from area municipalities that help pay for the service. The council and members of the service viewed a new demonstrator ambulance at the fire hall recently.

The cost of the new unit is $154,085 with that including the city receiving $25,000 for the 2005 GMC unit that will be traded in. The service will keep an older unit. The council noted all the problems the ambulance service has had with the 2006 model that has an air ride system that had been repaired a number of times, but is a constant problem. Councilperson Terry Klinger noted that the unit also has wiring problems. Lee indicated that the company that built the unit is no longer in business. The new unit is expected in four to six months.

Also on the list of funding was a request from Police Chief Robert Darwin asking the council to declare the 2006 Ford squad car as surplus property so he can offer it for sale when the new police car arrives after the first of the year. He also requested $3,450 for new computer program for the department’s records. The new system will allow the city to share its information with the Sheriff’s department and it will all be stored on the Sheriff’s equipment. The sheriff’s department will be offering the training at no cost to the city.

Hanging Up The For Sale Sign

Council member Nancy Hover discussed the matter of the old city hall on Pine Street. The council had decided to have the property valued at its last meeting and Hover said that she had contacted Tim Mahoney and he valued the property up to $75,000. After talking about the matter for a while the council approved entering into a contract with Mahoney to sell the old city hall.

Hover also addressed the matter of having a community garden. Julie Hawley and Barb Nelson addressed the council about creating a spot where local people could plant and harvest garden produce. Hawley, who is a master gardener, spoke of the garden in Baldwin. Hover indicated that the city park on First Street was chosen for this project that has been in the works for the past two plus years. The council approved the plan.