Lime Springs City department reports

Lime Springs - Reports were given by the departments under the City of Lime Springs.

Fire Department: Fire Chief Nathan Schwickerath stated the department participated in two different events for Fire Prevention Week. There were three kids at the library and 16 at the fire station events. “They all learned something. We are thinking about doing something different next year, just have an open house. Just do it all here.”

Members were having the department meal on Nov. 10 for firefighters and spouses.

The annual dance will be held Jan. 12, 2019 at the Dam Bar & Grill.

“There is an issue in town and around the country of passing school buses. Never ever go through a stopped school bus sign. Some people will swing into A&K’s lot to go around the bus in front of the community center. It is against the law. Nobody wants to be the one to be driving that car [that hit a child].”

Firefighter 1 classes will start in Chester this winter.

Last but not least, the new radiant heaters are up in  the fire station, but as of the meeting, they had not been turned on.

Library: Council liason Brian Johnson noted he had attended the Library Board meeting the week prior and learned the entity did not have a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector. Council member Brad Johnson added public buildings are not required by code to have detectors, but Council agreed the building should have both. 

Dr. Don Lyon gave a list of events sponsored by the Library in October. “They had a Halloween magic show with 63 attending. The silent auction is taking place from Nov. 1-30.” Other items taking place were giving a raffle basket for Christmas in Lime Springs, an Oneota Club grant was applied for, 21 children benefit from the outreach program, there was a Halloween cake decorating event with five participants, Bingo had 14 attendees, and there were 418 patrons in the library in September.

Community Center: Barb Robinson spoke on behalf of the center. New board members are Jarry Hughes and Susan Nicolai. There is still one seat open, but it will likely be filled by January.

“We are not doing Bingo. If another group wants to do it on a weekly basis, the community center will charge $100 per month.” In addition, the Bingo equipment belongs to the Community Center. Additional equipment would have to be purchased if another group takes over.

Robinson added, “Right now all entities have the community center for fund-raisers for free. We voted and now each entity can use it three times a year for fund-raisers. After that, it will be $50 per event. It helps protect the Community Center budget.” 

Ed Hampe spoke up, “This group of ladies are here to say they want to see Bingo continue. We’re looking to start it up again. We want to work with Spring Ahead Learning Center.”

Pool and Parks: The guards are finishing up on putting odds and ends away and then turning in their keys. 

Other issues came up of which Jill Tibbals was unaware, such as holes needed to be dug and concrete set for some new playground equipment going in Brown Park. The work will be done in the spring.

Public Works: Director Casey Sebastian said some miscellaneous repairs were done at  the pool. 

A valve was repaired at Grant and Willard that will allow the City to turn off water to a small section of town when an emergency arises, rather than the large group it affected before the repair.

Parks have been winterized.

The beaver dam on the northeast part of town was removed by Mehmert Tiling. It was backing up the creek by the ball field.

New blades were needed for the City truck/plow. The sander is in rough shape, but Sebastian thinks it will last through the winter with just an apron chain.

In regards to sand/salt mix, the city will start with 12-13 tons and get more if needed. An average year is 24-25 tons.

City workers will not start plowing until three inches have fallen to save money on the street budget.

The City entered into an easement agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Leid on part of their property.

City property next to the Janet Mensink property on Sage St. was tabled.