Peabody to begin sewer project
With an October 1 deadline looming, the Peabody city council heard Monday night from city engineer Al Reiss that almost all of the loose ends to the sewer project were tied.
The city has signed a purchase agreement with Gary Harper to buy land southeast of Peabody for the new sewer plant.
Next the city will offer the construction job for bids. Reiss told council members that if all goes smoothly, the project could begin in November.
The council heard that several citizens had applied to the city for a share of the funds set aside to repair sidewalks. The council further clarified a previous decision to reimburse the homeowner for two yards of cement used in sidewalk reconstruction.
The council will reimburse the actual cost of two yards of cement up to a total of $130 after the work has been completed.
There is a $500 per year cap on what the city will spend and homeowners who apply for the funds will be reimbursed on a first come, first served basis. When the $500 is spent, no more funds will be available until the beginning of the next calendar year.
Brian and Tammy Whiteside appeared before the council with a request to organize a car show in conjunction with the 2004 July Fourth Celebration in Peabody.
After discussion of the plan, the council was "supportive in theory," but asked that the Whitesides return to a future meeting with information about insurance, liability, and other details.
Deanna Baker, manager of the city pool, presented her annual review of the pool and the swimming season. The report was well received by the council.
The report will be examined again in the spring before the pool opens for the next season. Financial concerns about the pool's ability to pay its own way will be addressed at that time.
The council addressed personnel issues in a lengthy executive session. On return to open meeting the city clerk was instructed to issue work orders to city employees for repair on some park equipment. The council also voted to spend $200 on software training for assistant city clerk Stephanie Ax.
An addition to the agenda by Tom Schmidt brought the subject of vandalism in the community to the table. A discussion took place which eventually included some of the visitors in the audience. No decision was reached, but it was the consensus of the council to revisit the topic at a future meeting with police chief Jeff Pohlman present.
Nuisance properties were discussed with health and safety officer Deb Buser. Action against the property owners will continue as designated by city ordinances.
In other business, the council:
— agreed to create a policy in regard to non-emergency police situations when citizens contact the city building hoping to find a law officer.
— agreed to continue the practice of having football fans park in the empty lot to the east of the park after a rain when the ground is muddy.
— approved the renewal for another year of the city's sewer testing contract with A&E Analytical Lab.
— discussed a long term project listing the cemetery plots at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in a computer data base.
— authorized the city clerk to send Cindy Dallke a gift certificate for $25 to the Peabody restaurant of her choice in appreciation for help in the city office during the transition to the new city clerk. Dallke volunteered for the job and did not receive any pay for the weeks she worked there.
— discussed the ongoing inventory of all the lights for which the city foots the bill. The inventory will eventually tell the council how many lights the city pays for, how many are no longer needed, or what new ones may be needed.
