Grant helps fund Florence site preparation for tree farm
Leonard Ellis updated Florence City Council members Monday night about funds from a grant he received for the city tree farm. Ellis applied for a Hardwood Forestry Fund Grant and received $3,257. The funds were to be spent on site preparation.
Ellis presented statements for labor on a stone sign designating the area of a city tree farm, seedlings to be planted in March, and gas and repairs for a tractor used by a volunteer clearing the land.
After discussion council approved the use of the city tractor to push tree and brush debris into piles as long as the tractor is operated by a city employee.
Ellis reported on the amount of debris and overgrowth removed. He noted he and volunteers Joe Heath and Dale Miller had created traps along the east and west side of the Cottonwood river in hopes of preventing log jams at the 5th Street bridge over the river.
He also cautioned council that three large cottonwood trees and an ash tree will likely cause problems at the bridge the next time Florence receives a heavy rain. The trees are in a group and the roots are exposed on three sides.
Ellis advised council to look over the situation and try to have the trees removed before they create a more expensive problem in the future.
Americans with Disabilities Act officer Del Leeds presented a final self-evaluation plan for council's review. The form was drawn up by Leeds and the city attorney. It outlines projects completed and those yet to be addressed.
Council members agreed to hold a special work meeting after the first of the year to review the form and discuss a timeline for completion.
Leeds also announced the city's ADA mediation hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Jan. 7 at Florence City Building. It will not be open to the public.
In other business the council:
— approved warrants of $12,556.86.
— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley the fire department Christmas party Sunday was a success. He noted all department vehicles would be taken to Williams Service after the first of the year for servicing. A fire station heater also will be repaired.
— arranged for repairs to the blacktop at 10th and Doyle streets.
— heard from council member Bryan Harper that fuel for all city vehicles might be tax exempt. Council asked city clerk Darla Gore to contact the state for more information. Gore also will get the required forms to apply for reimbursement as far back as possible.
— told Linda Britton a special community fund has a $1,990 balance that would be available to the cemetery committee to build a gazebo to house the information her group has gathered directing people to grave sites, listing tree donors, and offering a brief history of the cemetery. Council urged the project be completed by Jan. 1.
— discussed an annual Christmas party for employees and raising employee year-end bonuses. After considerable discussion members tabled the party until next Christmas, but raised bonus amounts to $100 for each full-time employee and $50 for each part-time employee. Acting police chief Erik King will fund bonuses for his officers from the police budget. The rest will come from city employee benefits fund.
— agreed to consider a request by a citizen to burn a house in the city limits as an exercise for firefighters if state regulations are met and permission granted.
— heard there was a glitch in the computerized billing system for water bills, but that city staff had gotten it straightened out. Anyone having a question about a water bill should contact the city office. Councilman Randy Mills asked that council be given a list of water accounts and payments on a monthly basis.
— heard from Wagner the dike inspection went well. While he has not received a written report yet, Wagner noted the inspector's only criticism was the need for mowing.
