New police officer sworn in

CRESCO - Police Officer Keefe Williams performed the Oath of Office to start off the Dec. 4 Cresco City Council meeting. He was hired the end of July and completed his training the end of November. He had some family members on hand to watch him sign the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

• In other business from the meeting, Class  C Liquor License with Sunday Sales for Hideaway Lounge and Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales for South Side Bar & Grill were both approved. Although Council person Amy Bouska commented on South Side, “It’s filthy [outside the business]. I don’t think the public streets and waters should be used as a litter box.” She added she specifically asked him to keep it clean.

•Excavator Licenses for Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric LLC, Mehmert Tiling, Inc. and Skyline Construction Inc. were approved.

• Tree Surgeon Licenses for Tarzan Tree Service LLC, Total Tree Care LLC, Richard Kittelson Consulting LLC and Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers LLC were approved.

• The City was informed Mediacom prices were increasing substantially in Cresco, with a full package raising at least $14.24. City Clerk Michelle Girolamo commented the City has no control over the rise in prices, and the City has no say in the matter. “The City has no power to pick cable companies. The Iowa Utility Board appoints a company to cities.”

• The abstract of votes for the new council (which looks exactly like the old council) was announced. Mayor Mark Bohle received 130 votes with six votes scattered. Council Member-at-Large received 128 votes with six scattered, and Council member for Second Ward, Amy Bouska, received 49 votes with three scattered. The votes were canvassed by Howard County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13.

They all took the oath of office.

• In the past month, the City of Cresco has come into possession of two properties.

The house at 125 3rd Ave. W. was purchased for $15,000, and will be torn down. It will be saved for future use of the fire department.

The second house was at 423 S. Elm St. After the City started the Nuisance Abatement Process, the owners just gave the house to the City. Nobody had lived in the house for 10-12 years. City employees will be entering the house in the near future to see if it is worth salvaging or if the City should tear it down and sell the land.

• Council agreed to enter into a mutual aid and assistance agreement for the Water/Wastewater Agency known as IOWARN. As part of the organization, the City would receive help from others in the program for any number of things, such as sending a request for a part that is 20 miles away [which the City would replace at a later date], rather than driving 150 miles for one from the company.

• With New Year’s following on the first Monday of the month, January Council meetings were changed to the 8th and 22nd.