One item at the meeting was the announcement of a $60,000 donation from Men West Bank towards the Central Park Improvement Project. Darcy Carlson from Men West Bank presented the donation, which the council swiftly moved to expedite and approve. This contribution is expected to aid in acquiring necessary equipment for the park. The council expressed gratitude for the donation, and a photograph was taken to commemorate the moment alongside park board representatives. A park board member emphasized the importance of community support for the ongoing improvements.

In other discussions, the council delved into the impact of new housing developments on the city’s tax revenue. A council member noted that the construction of four new houses could contribute an additional $52,000 annually to the city’s tax base. This potential increase in revenue is attributed to proactive decisions made by the city council and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) several years prior, emphasizing housing as a critical priority. The council member expressed satisfaction with the current state of the housing project, mentioning that the homes were confirmed to be of adequate dimensions upon closer inspection, comparing them to a similar house in another part of town.

The meeting also covered several resolutions. Resolution 2024-84, allowing part-time police officers to join the Public Employees Police and Fire Plan, was approved unanimously. This resolution addresses recruitment challenges faced by police departments and allows part-time officers to participate in the retirement plan specific to police and fire services.

Resolution 2024-85, which pertained to the certification of the preliminary budget for 2025, was set at a 4% increase. The council clarified numbering confusion regarding resolutions and confirmed the correct resolution was indeed 85. This resolution was motioned for approval and passed through a roll call vote.

Resolution 2024-87 involved the approval of election judges for the upcoming general election in November. The resolution allowed for flexibility should any changes need to be made due to unforeseen circumstances. The council acknowledged the willingness of local community members to serve in this capacity, contrasting it with difficulties faced by surrounding counties in recruiting election judges. The motion to approve this resolution was made and passed without opposition.

The council also addressed two resolutions regarding corrective actions on specific properties. Resolution 2024-88 addressed issues on Morgan Street, where concerns were raised about the condition of the siding, roof materials, and structural integrity of the residence. The council member overseeing the case reported ongoing communication with the property owner, who was aware of the issues and in the process of addressing them with the help of a contractor. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining the process to ensure compliance, even while acknowledging the owner’s good faith efforts to rectify the situation. A motion was made to pass this resolution, which also received unanimous approval from the council.

Resolution 2024-89 focused on corrective actions needed on Street. Similar issues of deteriorating roofing and siding materials, along with overgrown vegetation around the foundation, were cited. The council deliberated briefly on this resolution before moving forward with a motion, which also passed.

A resident addressed the council to discuss the status of their property, expressing the need for more time to address various issues, including storage and cleanup. They mentioned significant work had been done on the house over the years, but personal circumstances, including multiple surgeries, hindered progress. The resident acknowledged the timeline set for compliance but expressed skepticism about completing the necessary work within that timeframe. The council discussed the importance of enforcing compliance to avoid setting a precedent of leniency. The process outlined for compliance involved a series of legal steps, including a resolution that would grant a 20 to 30-day period for the resident to take corrective action. If no action was taken, the city would pursue court action, incurring costs. The council moved towards passing a resolution regarding the compliance order, with the understanding that further discussions with legal counsel would take place to address the unique challenges presented by the situation.

The meeting also noted a substantial increase in liquor store sales, which had risen by $21,000 over the previous year and by $15,000 over the prior month. This uptick was attributed to the introduction of new products that appealed to customers. Camping revenue also saw an increase, with an additional $2,000 reported for August compared to the previous year, and expectations for continued growth through September. The campground was projected to generate approximately $78,000 in additional revenue, with plans to reinvest some of this back into the facility. The DMV reported increases, with year-to-date revenue hitting $122,000. The staff acknowledged the hard work of the team serving the public, particularly highlighting a busy day when one staff member managed the DMV alone while others were off.