City Council approves street closings for NBHF

CRESCO - Things are starting to come together for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest, which has moved to Aug. 27-29 this year, instead of in September. 
Cresco City Council has done its part in making it a success by approving street closings for the annual event. At their July 19 meeting, members okayed closing portions of North Elm, North Park Place and South Park Place Streets for the Cruise to Cresco. In addition, a parade will take place after the Cruise with portions of 6th Ave. W, 6th Ave. and North Elm being closed for the event.
Part of North Elm and the Southside Parking Lot will also close for the weekend.
• In other  business, a portion of South Elm Street will close for the Cresco 100 year Wresetling Meet-and-Greet Event on July 30, taking place at the Wrestling Hall of Fame/ Welcome Center
• Jason Passmore of Howard County Business & Tourism reported other events taking place, including The Fly-In Breakfast and Fine Arts Show on Aug. 1; a $100,000 grant received for the $1.3 million Vernon Springs Brewing Company project; and an EV (Electric Vehicle) grant received.
The EV charging station has been approved by Fareway to go in the northeast corner of its parking lot. Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Bouska joked, “Ours is one of the only Fareways with an EV charging station and horse parking spots!”
• The Pub was approved for outdoor service during Harvest Fest.
• Public Works Director Nate Widell reported the 6th Ave. SW sewer repair project was completed.
A light pole along Highway 9 was damaged in a car accident and needs to be replaced.
A portion of 3rd St. W. needs to be repaired due to cracking. It was to be closed from Hwy. 9-2nd Ave. for the work.
• City Clerk Michelle Elton reported the auditors were to finish up the week of July 21. 
The department heads met to discuss the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). Council met after the council meeting.
• Dave Brenno  noted the memberships at the fitness center are slowly increasing. The Park Board is working on a lease with NEICAC for parking buses at the facility.
• Alex Fortune reported “Shrek The Musical” was playing at the Theatre.
• Brent Mehmert was authorized to finish a proposed drainage project for Cambridge and Charleston Court.
• Mehmert Tiling was approved for the Concrete Improvements Project.
• Dale Ernst was approved for reappointment to the Park Board for three years.
• Resident Angela Bries spoke during comments about some properties in her neighborhood that needed to be cleaned up. “I’m frustrated. I pay taxes just like they do,” she said.
• The next meeting will be Monday, Aug. 2, when a public hearing will be held to vacate a portion of Fourth Ave. SW.
 
CIP Work Session 
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) work session was held after the regular meeting.
Pat Callahan from Callahan Municipal Consultants had met with department heads that afternoon. He was surprised at the number of big projects that need to be done in the near future. He said they were also expensive projects.
Council members discussed the projects and added some more to the list.
The department heads were instructed to fill out a form for each project with a cost and reason for it. That information will then be compiled and graded for urgency.
The Council’s next job is to figure how to fund the projects.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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