Cresco Council amends ordinances

—Updates on ATV, snowmobile, UTV, golf carts, fireworks
CRESCO - At the Sept. 7 City Council meeting, members authorized a change in three ordinances in regards to All-Terrain Vehicles/snowmobiles, golf carts/ UTVs and sale of fireworks.
The changes are pretty minor and were approved by Jan Carman, Alex Fortune, Gary Kriener and Rich McConnell, with Amy Bouska voting nay. 
They basically state ATVs (four-wheeled vehicles that are straddled) are still not allowed on City streets within Cresco city limits (except for ag purposes or snow removal); UTVs/side-by-sides (have a steering wheel) are required to have headlamps and are allowed to be operated after dark;  and golf carts cannot be operated after dark.
Bouska only voted aye to allowing fireworks to be sold in all zoning districts because it became a state law on July 1.
• In other business, Public Works Director Nate Widell reported items other than trees, leaves and brush have been left at the tree dump south of town. “It is illegal to dump anything else there.”
He added that Reicks Landscaping was taking care of the front of City Hall.
• Police Chief Tim Ruroden said the two officers who are training at the academy are doing well.
In addition, the number of accidents and health issue calls were higher than normal, but animal calls were less for August.
• City Clerk Michelle Elton stated, “The pickleball project is done except for a missing net and seeding. It opened on Monday with 25 players.” 
• Council member Amy Bouska updated the City on some of her committees. Good Times Bar will not be ready until early next year. The Elma ambulance has been busy.
“Regional Health Services will soon have an MRI truck parked in its lot 24/7. To compliment their oncology department, they are getting a PET scanner. I admit the first thing that came to mind was dogs. (She is a huge dog lover.) But it really is for people.”
• Library Director Jordyn Moore reported the Summer Reading Program was done. Numbers were lower than normal, but everyone is still recovering from the pandemic.
“One of my professors from Wartburg College came. He brought five snakes, two tortoises and two turtles. Twenty-seven children and 19 adults came.”
Library patrons filled out a survey on what services they are looking for. About 25% wanted later hours, so the library will be open until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Moore is also looking at not charging for late returns for 2023. It only generates about $4 per month. She is researching notary services for a fee, which should make up for the fines.
Staff is fixing inconsistencies in the catalog.
“This month is library card sign-up month. Before I showed up there were 89 new cards in the year. The year I came, there are 240 new ones.”
She asked council members to come look at the library’s banned books display. “There has been a 300% increase in challenges to materials in the past year. Banned books are on a lot of people’s radar. It’s a big issue.”
• A request from Serapio Hernandez del Angel for a sewer adjustment was approved as Widell confirmed the leak. A request from Glen Dillon was denied, because no proof was given.
• The street finance report was approved.
• A public hearing was set for Sept. 19 to amend the FY2023 budget.
• The urban renewal report was accepted.
• The City entered into an agreement and easement for waterway maintenance with Madonna and Kenneth Burgess.
• McConnell, Kriener and Mayor Dave Brenno will be on the personnel advisory committee.
• Niki Hill was hired as the new deputy clerk. Her position will be posted.
• Council approved a street closing for a movie night fund-raiser for the Cresco Police Department.
• A parade permit was approved for the Sept. 23 Homecoming parade.
The next meeting will be held on Sept. 19 at City Hall.

Cresco Times

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

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

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