Council hears about crumbling walls on First Street

GLENWOOD CITY — The city’s Public Works Director Dave Caress reported to the city council on Monday evening that he had a conversation with a DOT representative about retaining walls on First Street and also the walls on Maple Street. He indicated that the First Street wall was installed by the State of Wisconsin during a highway project back in the 1980s.

During the conversation, he was told that the official would look up the agreement the state had with the city about who is responsible for that First Street wall. But they found the agreement on the Maple Street wall indicating that the city was responsible for its maintenance.

Caress noted that the Maple Street wall is in good shape except for the cap and he informed the council that maybe the city crew could replace the cap.

But the one on First Street, Caress noted that he talked to a contractor that installs those type of structures and that it would cost somewhere between $60,000 and $100,000 to replace that wall. The council took no action, awaiting for a responses from the State Highway Department.

The council voted to accept the price of $8,700 from Bear Valley Electric to install a transfer switch at well house number three. This came about when the city received a letter from the state last year about deficiencies in both well houses. The council approved a grant application to replace well house number two and improvements at well house number three including installing the necessary wiring to allow for a generator to be plugged in at number three to operate the pump.

The council also approved spending $600 to have a maintenance agreement for the city’s warning sirens.

The council approved the Operator’s License application for Brianna M. Crowe, and opted to not exercise extraterritorial rights on a land division in Springfield Township.

The council heard a report from Dean Fayerweather about the progress on the Hinman Park ball field improvements. He informed the council on the progress of grants that have been applied for and that at present the fund raising has some $75,025 on hand. “If we get the grants and what funds have been pledged we should have $99,000 for the project,” he told the council.

In her report about the City Library, Crystal Booth indicated that the National Library Week celebration was well attended, as was the retirement of Gladys Best, who served the library for more than 15 years. Members of the council praised Best for her work at the library.

Booth also noted that the Friends of the Library would have a booth at Holy Cross Lutheran Church’s annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale set for April 30th. She also informed the council that the library would be featuring a special Tech Time on Saturday, April 23rd. This event will cover identity theft, password protection and online safety. She noted that people should call the library to sign up. The number is 715-265-7443.

The council also acknowledged the service of Council member Nancy Hover, who attended her last meeting Monday evening. She did not run for another term.