The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Board Sets Fall City Wide Clean Up

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

The Village of Stronghurst Board of Trustees, met on Monday, August 3rd and set October 2nd as the fall city wide cleanup day.

Brian Kane addressed the board regarding a broken tile on city right away that is allowing water to run on his property on Harmony Street. There was a lengthy discussion regarding whether the village was responsible for repairing tiles. Kane already has it dug up so it would be a matter of laying 160-170 foot of new tile. Attorney Mariah Wallace said she would like to take a look at the site before any decisions were made. Therefore, the trustees voted to give Mayor Brendan Schaley authority to negotiate an agreement, with a cap of $500, with Kane after the meeting and the attorney had viewed the sight.

Police report for July included: 98 hours worked; 549 miles on squad car; 4 total traffic stops, 3 verbal warnings, 1 written warning, and 2 uniform traffic tickets; 2 assists; 5 service calls; 3 arrests; and 16 business courtesy checks.

In other business the board:

• Heard the financial report for July was $3,000 to the good.
• Heard from Doug Erickson of Benson & Associates that the school safety project was completed with the exception of a couple of minor things. Also that Ronnie Gittings would need to be trained to set the beacon lights.
• Roger Cook was present to announce his candidacy for Henderson County Sheriff in November.
• Ronnie Gittings questioned the fact that a bulk rate for water used at the FS and from the fire station was not being charged. He thought there had been a previous agreement to do this. The attorney will check this out
• Agreed to keep Connor Woodbury on as long as they needed him.
• The Zoning Committee has issued two permits. Their next meeting will be held on September 16th.
• Received two bids for the old truck, one for $1,002 and one for $2,050. Accepted the highest bid.
• Had only one sidewalk bid for the east side of Broadway Street. Tim Thompson Contracting of Wever, IA, bid $13,350 for removing and replacing the south section; removing and replacing the middle section; and removal and replacing of a section of the curb and gutter line, and entranceway at Fisher's Foods.
• Will let bids for tearing down the old water tower.
• Clerk Hollie Allen and Police Chief Arbry Vancil had handed out warnings and a copy of the ordinance to residents who need to cut their grass and/or clean up their properties.
• Agreed to spray a bed liner on the new city truck for $450.
• Passed the annual tax levy ordinance of $21,000, which is no increase for the year.

Present were: Mayor Brendan Schaley; trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Amanda VanArsdale, Mike Swisher, Randy Jarvis, (Shane Reed, absent); Employees, Attorney Mariah Wallace, Clerk Hollie Allen, Ronnie Gittings; Guests, Lori Hamilton, Brian Kane, Roger Cook, Doug Erickson, Shirley Linder

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8th at 6 p.m. at the village hall.