LS City getting finances in order

LIME SPRINGS - Council members accepted the bid by Northland Securities of Minneapolis for an interest rate of 3.2876% for a $600,000 General Obligation Bond for the sewer part of the street project.

Maggie Burger of Speer Financial told them at the Aug. 3 meeting, “We are very happy with this bid. Our estimate was 3.67%.” She reminded council they either accept the low bid or reject all bids. The bid was accepted, and the City of Lime Spring will get the funds on Aug. 31.

In addition, Council voted to enter into a water revenue loan agreement for $750,000 from the local bank or another bank. “This is why you have been raising water rates, to help pay for this project,” she added.

• In other business from the meeting, Library board president Eddie Miller reported the library is having a window contest, where participants can guess book titles. In addition, the facility had adult game night and bingo in July.

• Jennifer Kalstabakken gave the Park & Rec update. The pool had two special parties for Spring Ahead Preschool and two late night swims.

The pool can now serve food. In addition, the food can be taken to the ball park concession stand.

• Public Works Director Tyler Smith was given permission to fix the RV dump station at Casey’s at a cost of $1,900 by Pickar-Oulman. He explained, when Casey Sebastian was the PWD, he had no problems, but there have been two issues in the past year. “Now corn stalks and trash are building up in there. It’s in a low spot. Rock is in there, too.”

He added it is a free service, but all but one of those complaining about it not working were locals. “We need to fix it or eliminate it.”

Council person Richard Cottrell was the only nay vote on fixing it. “Why should we give the dump away for free?”

~ Smith noted Mehmerts was coming on Aug. 4 to tear down the dilapidated buildings on Willard St.

~ The PWD put up the “No Heavy Truck” signs along N. Forest and W. Jackson St. to discourage semis from driving through the residential section.

Cottrell mentioned he had spoken with someone from Reicks View Farms whose trucks have been driving the route. “They said they will give out maps to keep them from driving through the residential area.”

~  Tarzan Tree Service will cut down trees at the Ruth Hrubes and Les Opat homes for $575 each. Another tree will be removed from the alley behind Devan Gates’ home. A tree at the Kris McNamara needs attention as well.

~ Smith looked at a couple of dump trailers. He will get another bid or two before Council makes a decision.

~ A contractor has looked at the concrete at the tree dump. He gave an estimate of $10,000-13,000 to crush what is there.

~ “Grass trimmings getting blown into the street are causing problems. Residents need to stop leaving it there. It can be blown in the street, and then blow it back into the yard,” Smith said.

~ Two building permits were approved, one for Mark Bowen for concrete work and one for Dale Schwade for an Anhydrous Ammonia tank at A&K Elevator #3.

• Council discussed whether  to agree to getting totes from Hawkeye Sanitation or leave it as it has been, with generic cans and bags sitting by the curb. The current agreement runs for 10-11 months. Council will look at the situation when the time comes to stay with Hawkeye or change to a different company.

• Council has been looking at changing the pet ordinance to put some penalties on owners of nuisance pets. 

Members agreed on updating the current ordinance.

• A representative of McGuire Iron will come to the Sept. 6 meeting to discuss painting the inside and outside of the water tower. He had initially said it would cost $180,000-200,000. Last week, he amended the cost to $130,000-140,000. The last time the water tower was painted was in 2011 at a cost of $44,000.

• Council reviewed some ordinance and employee handbook changes.