No Trucks signs to go up in Lincolnville
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
A special driveway has been created in Lincolnville from the Main Street to the Agri-Producers, Inc. grain elevator to accommodate farm trucks and semi tractor-trailers.
Lincolnville City Council worked with the co-op to establish the drive in order to keep heavy trucks off regular city streets.
City employees Joe Vinduska and Steve Podzus are in the process of posting "No Trucks" signs on streets leading to the elevator. Farmers, grain haulers, and other truckers will be expected to heed the signs and use the designated driveway.
Linda Ogden of Communities in Schools of Marion County presented information Monday to the city council regarding various programs provided by CIS. She was supported by Tom Nelson of Burdick, a member of the CIS board.
Ogden requested and received a donation of $200 from the city. She said the donation provides ownership in the program and contributes to a match for federal funds.
"The donation forms a foundation of support for the program," she said.
Four young people from the town requested help with establishing a better skate park. They said they planned to do fund-raisers which would be combined with help from the city for the project.
Scott Gutsch, parks chairman, asked the youngsters to draw up a written plan with various options and present it to the council next month.
The council approved a motion to purchase a sickle mower from Victor Burns for $150. It needs modification to connect to the city's Ford tractor. City employees plan to use it to mow the sewer ponds and other large grassy areas around the city.
Clerk Jane Pigorsch requested reclassification of the city's grain truck as a dump truck. The change will result in lower insurance on the vehicle.
The council hired Sharon Matz to paint a city hall sign on the door of the building for $45.
July 1 was set as the deadline for changes required by the state fire marshal at city hall.
Pigorsch presented a list of names of residents with delinquent sewer bills. If the bills aren't paid by the end of July, they will be added to the homeowners' property taxes for next year.
Sylvia Bailey submitted an application for a beer license. The council approved a $50 fee stipulating that Bailey make sure no trash is left on the sidewalk and street in front of Bailey's Tavern. She plans to open the establishment by July 1.
The council agreed to post signs at the park informing vandals that they will be prosecuted for damages.
City employee Joe Vinduska reported installing manhole risers, fixing a fluid leak on the brake line on the truck, posting handicap parking signs at the ball diamond and spraying weeds around the "Welcome to Lincolnville" signs on the highway. The signs were treated to repel water.
City employee Steve Podzus said he assisted Vinduska and helped trim tree branches and dispose of them.
Podzus suggested a notice be posted at city hall that city employees are not authorized to enter private property to cut down trees or branches but can haul them away if left next to the street.
Bailey said the same rule could apply to discarded appliances, to make less work on cleanup day. The council also discussed establishing a policy to open the burn site at a specified time every month.
The matter was tabled until the July meeting.
Gutsch reported that Lincolnville has two men's softball teams and a T-ball, coach pitch, and girls' softball team.
Streets chairman Sherri Pankratz reported receiving only one bid on a project to overlay several city streets. The bid from Shilling Construction of Manhattan was for $25,087.50.
Treasurer Don Buethe said the city's finances are tight right now because of unbudgeted money being spent on the community center and the new city hall. He wasn't sure if there would be enough money in the budget to cover the project.
After discussion, the council voted to not accept the bid. Bids may be sought again in the fall if adequate funding is available.
Cash on hand at the end of May was $39,754.83.
Pigorsch reported the interior of the community building is sheet-rocked but some plumbing and electrical work remains.
The council approved use of brick instead of limestone to cap the brick portion of the exterior. They chose the color hunter green for window frames and trim.
They also decided to place individually-purchased engraved tiles on the north wall of the drive-through. It will be lighted, so the names will be available for viewing at all times.
Pigorsch reported May expenditures of $11,187.23 of grant money.
Bailey announced July 9 as the date for the annual community garage sale. She also is beginning work on the 2005 Octoberfest celebration.
Mayor Dave Schneider said he will ask residents of Lombard Street to stagger street parking to provide for clear passage of vehicles. A resident with junked cars parked on the street will be asked to remove them.
Victor Burns announced his son Travis Burns and Curtis Gutsch are hoping to organize a co-ed ball tournament in Lincolnville over the July 4th holiday weekend. The council decided not to charge a fee for their use of the ball diamond.
