City moving ahead on several projects including city hall, library, police station

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GLENWOOD CITY — The City Council moved ahead with several projects at their regular meeting Monday evening, June 15th. Included in the projects are the proposed new Library, Community Center, Police Station and City Hall. The council passed a resolution committing matching funds to the project. They also approved an agreement with the fair and the county over the construction of a Community Safe Room on the fairgrounds. They also heard about the delivery dates for the new dump truck and police car and the need for a new fire engine.

Lynn McIntyre and Kevin Oium of Cedar Corporation out of Menomonie presented the council with drawings and cost estimates on the proposed new City Building. McIntyre went over the funding of the project. The city is applying for a million dollar grant to help with the construction cost. She informed the council that the estimate cost of just the new Community Center and Library complex is estimated at $1,646,830.00 with the city needing to commit to funding the amount over the million-dollar mark. The total size of the proposed building is 11,750 square feet.

Oium presented the figures and drawings of the proposed new city building that will also house a city hall and police station. The plans that the council was looking at showed a new building placed on the current Community Center location. The total construction cost is placed at $2,760,750.00 including the demolition of the current center. Grant funding will only share costs on the construction of a Library and Community Center, and shared spaces, not the city hall or police station.

McIntyre explained the workings of the Community Development Block Grant and the city’s need to have their share of financing available. She also explained how the grant application is scored and when the scoring comes out the city should know if they would be awarded the grant.

Another project that the city is involved in is the construction of a safe room at the County fairgrounds in Glenwood City. The city is the lead group in the grant application process but it will not have any city funds expended to build the structure that is designed to provide cover for fair people during bad weather. It will also be open during other storm events for shelter of local people. This is being financed through FEMA with an agreement with the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

Department Heads Report

During his report, Public Works Director David Caress informed the Council that they have finished the repairs on First Street caused when an eight-inch water main broke as a fire tank truck was filling from a nearby hydrant. “We also replaced about 120 feet of curb and gutter that was bad,” Caress explained. He also noted that the storm sewer behind the car wash has been repaired and the painting of the shelter at Hinman Park has been completed. He also noted that the new dump truck is on order, but delivery is not expected until March of next year.

Caress addressed the work at the Wastewater Treatment facility saying that it is about complete and after the meeting Mayor John Larson invited all those that were present at the council meeting to drive to the site to look over what improvements had been done.

Police Chief Robert Darwin reported that because of the COVID-19 concerns, their annual Night Out activities has been cancelled. He also noted that tires on one squad car are bad, and he did not have a date when the new vehicle would arrive, saying, “not until next year.” The mayor indicated, “We are very interested in body cameras and looking for information.” After a long discussion about the camera and those in the police vehicles, the chief will bring back prices and information at a future meeting. “I will look into what is the best option for us,” Darwin noted.

Fire Chief Greg Holden addressed the council and thanked all those who made the senior parade a big hit. He also addressed the disaster planning, asking that the fire and ambulance be involved with the planning. “It’s better to be prepared and not behind the wheel,” the chief said.

Holden also noted that the department has added several new members and that he expects that at least eight department members are available during the day time.

Mayor Larson questioned Holden about new turn out gear. The term, “turn out gear” is used to describe the fire coat, pants, boots, gloves and other equipment needed to protect firefighters during calls. Holden noted that they have been purchasing a couple sets a year and said each set costs between $1,600 and $1,800.

Holden also addressed the need for a new fire engine, telling the council that the department’s first line pumper is 25 years old. But, he noted that any date for a new one would be up to two years away, and this item would be brought up when the city and the other municipalities receiving service from the fire department hold their annual meeting.

In her report to the council, Library Director Katie Schneider said they had a great turn out for senior’s day and that the Summer Reading Program started on Monday. She noted that the COVID-19 concerns, has limited the number of programs the library can do with only allowing five people on the main floor at a time.

She also told about the program called “Throwback Thursday at Hinman Park with outdoor movies set for June 25, July 23 and August 13th.

Reduce the Price of Licenses

On the agenda at the June meeting is when the council grants renewal of beer, liquor, and cigarette licenses. City Clerk/treasurer, Sharon Rosenow noted to the meeting that one renewal applicant asked if the $500 cost for liquor license could be reduced because the establishments had to remain closed for about three months with the concern of the COVID-19 virus. After a discussion, the council approved dropping the cost to the minimum allowed by the state and that is $50.00. The council approved all the renewal requests.