Troubles with Well #4, the officer liaison program and a possible new business on Lincoln Avenue were all a part of the discussions by the Fennimore City Council Monday night.
“We got an update on Well #4 and...it wasn’t good news,” was what Fennimore City Mayor Ryan Boebel shared with the council Monday night.
In July, Well #4 had been taken off line due to a number of issues that caused the council to approve over $100,000 for repairs.
“I got a call from Bob telling me I might want to go down there right now,” Boebel said. They found at least two holes in the casing, one was 266 feet and 10 inches deep. Essentially what it boils down to is it’s going to cost more money. We’re going to talk to the DNR because the hole could potentially contaminate the well. We’re going to get the ball rolling, hoping the DNR will show leniency and a sense of urgency. We are basically limping along right now. We are hoping to put a new casing on-that should take care of it. To drill a new well would cost around $500,000. We will keep you posted.”
Fennimore Police Chief Chris French reported an update to the City of Fennimore Council on the liaison officer position.
“SWTC is in the process of creating a full-time safety/ security position,” French included in his report. “In the meantime, SWTC would like to contract for four hours a week at “true cost” if the FPD (Fennimore Police Department) can provide a veteran officer to work these hours. They do not want an officer fresh from the academy and may need the contract once they successfully fill the internal position they are planning to create (time line unknown). Officer (Todd) Miller is willing to work one six to eight hour liaison shift per week. We currently have a contract with the community schools for four hours a week, but nobody to work it. If we are able to accommodate SWTC’s temporary request we will have enough hours between the two schools to offer Officer Miller one six to eight hour shift per week as long as SWTC maintains the contract.”
French reported that it is a “temporary solution but will be good for the schools and community while it lasts.” French also presented a proposal for the Fennimore Community Schools contract which would include them paying true cost as well for the officer. This contract, in addition to the one for SWTC, were both reviewed by City Attorney Elieen Brownlee.
“If we are going to offer SWTC a true cost contract, we should also change the Fennimore Community Schools contract to true cost. We have been charging $35/hour and paying liaison officers $22/hour. At $22/hour true costs would be $24/38/hour.”
The action was approved to have the position continue at true cost.
Boebel also gave a brief update on the zoning situation and lot lines at the lumber yard.
“Recently, within the last two weeks there has been talk of change with the lot lines by the Railroad Museum. For years the lumber yard owned some property that parts of the railroad museum sits on. There is some interest in purchasing the land and they are doing what they can to not make waves in the new city.”Meaning the interested party will allow the city sign and Railroad museum items to remain where they are.
The interested party in purchasing the Fennimore Lumber Yard site, located at 640 Lincoln Avenue, is Dollar General. They have been referred to the planning commission for a certified survey map, and to continue exploring the future of the site and business locating there.
New signs were also discussed by the Council.
Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering reached out to the city to discuss the possible options for the proposed bronze plaque that will be installed in the main office at the waste water treatment plant.
“Based on the last meeting I was at the Council members to be listed were those at the start of the project,” Chambers noted.
After doing some digging through old minutes, he determined the following be listed.
Mayor: Ryan Boebel. Alderpersons: Gerald Bollant, Sara Brodt, Jessie Strack, Dave Streif, Jeff Hagen, Pete Adam, Greg Ashmore and Linda Stephenson. City Staff: Director of Public Works: Dennis Biddick, Wastewater Operators: Jel Feldhacker, John Schmitt, and Don Curtis, Clerk: Margaret Sprauge, City Attorney: Eileen Brownlee. Engineer: Town and County Engineering, Inc. Contractor: Gridor Construction, Inc.
The council decided on a white sign with maroon and gold lettering, outlined in maroon.
Chambers also noted that the project is very near completion.
“They’re supposed to be paving as early as next week and things keep progressing along,” Chambers noted to the board before his departure.
The topic of a new LED sign also came up again to the council.
A quote from the Lange Sign group came back with a purchase price of $20,966.
The quote is on a 16mm Slim high brightness Color LED Watchfire Message Center. The sign would measure 41” high by 5’3” wide and 5” deep. It would be able to play recorded clips, import windows video, animated text and build in graphics and the ability to create graphics. It would also include temperature sensor and have 4G wireless communication with a five year data plan. Included in the purchase price would be up to four hours of sign programing and operation instruction.
The council questioned previously if the city could save money by having city workers install the unit. However, Mike Lange from Lange sign noted that “it takes a crane to be part of the installation and could void the warranty.”
Other signs installed by the Lange Sign Group include Century 21 and Southwest Tech.
Other options included bid by Daktronics for $22,869, Optec for $20,800 and Thinksign for $22,700.
The Chamber recommended to the Council to go with the option Lange Sign Group bid.
The reported noted that the current calendar sign located near the Railroad Museum is owned by the City of Fennimore. “Many years ago during a Fennimore goal setting session a community calendar sign with a clock was identified as a need for the community,” the report noted.
As for the question of funding, it was noted by the Chamber “Wondering if there is any grant money available to help cover the cost of the sign if the sign was also designated as a weather/emergency device?” However, as of the Monday meeting, Parrish was unable to find options for that. Other funding option ideas including fund rasing and the Fennimore Area Foundation fall grant cycle.
The Council indicated support for the sign as long as funds can be acquired. Alders as well as Boebel also expressed the need for guidelines, when it came to what was posted on the sign, as something to explore in the future.
In other council news:
•The council approved adding handicap parking stalls at the high school, closer to the football field.
• Creating a website for the cemetery records was approved by the council.
•Graveling the roadways at the cemetery was approved.
“We got an update on Well #4 and...it wasn’t good news,” was what Fennimore City Mayor Ryan Boebel shared with the council Monday night.
In July, Well #4 had been taken off line due to a number of issues that caused the council to approve over $100,000 for repairs.
“I got a call from Bob telling me I might want to go down there right now,” Boebel said. They found at least two holes in the casing, one was 266 feet and 10 inches deep. Essentially what it boils down to is it’s going to cost more money. We’re going to talk to the DNR because the hole could potentially contaminate the well. We’re going to get the ball rolling, hoping the DNR will show leniency and a sense of urgency. We are basically limping along right now. We are hoping to put a new casing on-that should take care of it. To drill a new well would cost around $500,000. We will keep you posted.”
Fennimore Police Chief Chris French reported an update to the City of Fennimore Council on the liaison officer position.
“SWTC is in the process of creating a full-time safety/ security position,” French included in his report. “In the meantime, SWTC would like to contract for four hours a week at “true cost” if the FPD (Fennimore Police Department) can provide a veteran officer to work these hours. They do not want an officer fresh from the academy and may need the contract once they successfully fill the internal position they are planning to create (time line unknown). Officer (Todd) Miller is willing to work one six to eight hour liaison shift per week. We currently have a contract with the community schools for four hours a week, but nobody to work it. If we are able to accommodate SWTC’s temporary request we will have enough hours between the two schools to offer Officer Miller one six to eight hour shift per week as long as SWTC maintains the contract.”
French reported that it is a “temporary solution but will be good for the schools and community while it lasts.” French also presented a proposal for the Fennimore Community Schools contract which would include them paying true cost as well for the officer. This contract, in addition to the one for SWTC, were both reviewed by City Attorney Elieen Brownlee.
“If we are going to offer SWTC a true cost contract, we should also change the Fennimore Community Schools contract to true cost. We have been charging $35/hour and paying liaison officers $22/hour. At $22/hour true costs would be $24/38/hour.”
The action was approved to have the position continue at true cost.
Boebel also gave a brief update on the zoning situation and lot lines at the lumber yard.
“Recently, within the last two weeks there has been talk of change with the lot lines by the Railroad Museum. For years the lumber yard owned some property that parts of the railroad museum sits on. There is some interest in purchasing the land and they are doing what they can to not make waves in the new city.”Meaning the interested party will allow the city sign and Railroad museum items to remain where they are.
The interested party in purchasing the Fennimore Lumber Yard site, located at 640 Lincoln Avenue, is Dollar General. They have been referred to the planning commission for a certified survey map, and to continue exploring the future of the site and business locating there.
New signs were also discussed by the Council.
Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering reached out to the city to discuss the possible options for the proposed bronze plaque that will be installed in the main office at the waste water treatment plant.
“Based on the last meeting I was at the Council members to be listed were those at the start of the project,” Chambers noted.
After doing some digging through old minutes, he determined the following be listed.
Mayor: Ryan Boebel. Alderpersons: Gerald Bollant, Sara Brodt, Jessie Strack, Dave Streif, Jeff Hagen, Pete Adam, Greg Ashmore and Linda Stephenson. City Staff: Director of Public Works: Dennis Biddick, Wastewater Operators: Jel Feldhacker, John Schmitt, and Don Curtis, Clerk: Margaret Sprauge, City Attorney: Eileen Brownlee. Engineer: Town and County Engineering, Inc. Contractor: Gridor Construction, Inc.
The council decided on a white sign with maroon and gold lettering, outlined in maroon.
Chambers also noted that the project is very near completion.
“They’re supposed to be paving as early as next week and things keep progressing along,” Chambers noted to the board before his departure.
The topic of a new LED sign also came up again to the council.
A quote from the Lange Sign group came back with a purchase price of $20,966.
The quote is on a 16mm Slim high brightness Color LED Watchfire Message Center. The sign would measure 41” high by 5’3” wide and 5” deep. It would be able to play recorded clips, import windows video, animated text and build in graphics and the ability to create graphics. It would also include temperature sensor and have 4G wireless communication with a five year data plan. Included in the purchase price would be up to four hours of sign programing and operation instruction.
The council questioned previously if the city could save money by having city workers install the unit. However, Mike Lange from Lange sign noted that “it takes a crane to be part of the installation and could void the warranty.”
Other signs installed by the Lange Sign Group include Century 21 and Southwest Tech.
Other options included bid by Daktronics for $22,869, Optec for $20,800 and Thinksign for $22,700.
The Chamber recommended to the Council to go with the option Lange Sign Group bid.
The reported noted that the current calendar sign located near the Railroad Museum is owned by the City of Fennimore. “Many years ago during a Fennimore goal setting session a community calendar sign with a clock was identified as a need for the community,” the report noted.
As for the question of funding, it was noted by the Chamber “Wondering if there is any grant money available to help cover the cost of the sign if the sign was also designated as a weather/emergency device?” However, as of the Monday meeting, Parrish was unable to find options for that. Other funding option ideas including fund rasing and the Fennimore Area Foundation fall grant cycle.
The Council indicated support for the sign as long as funds can be acquired. Alders as well as Boebel also expressed the need for guidelines, when it came to what was posted on the sign, as something to explore in the future.
In other council news:
•The council approved adding handicap parking stalls at the high school, closer to the football field.
• Creating a website for the cemetery records was approved by the council.
•Graveling the roadways at the cemetery was approved.
•Selling city owned land to the high school for creation of a parking lot was approved following closed session.
