CEYLON — A Minnesota Department of Transportation official updated the Ceylon City Council this week on the Highway 263 project slated for 2021.

Forrest Hasty brought along a plan for Main Street. It includes “bump-outs” and 7-foot boulevards on each side of the street.

He also recommended back-in angle parking.

After a lengthy discussion, the council approved the preliminary plan. Hasty will now draft a layout.

During the discussion, Hasty talked about the advantages of boulevards for aesthetic value. New street lights would go up in the boulevards. He also said the bump-outs will slow traffic and prevent illegal parking too close to the intersection. He explained back-in angle parking advantages: better vision backing into a parking space and when pulling out; doors open so that passengers are positioned near the sidewalk when entering or exiting the vehicle; it positions the trunk or back of vehicle toward the sidewalk for easier loading of items; increases parking spaces compared to parallel parking; no backing into moving traffic; and it is easier than parallel parking.

The council expressed some concerns about snow removal as it relates to the plan.

The council thanked Hasty for coming and made plans for website and Facebook information to be available to the public. The city also wants to hold a public meeting, after information is given to residents.

Turning to other business, the council discussed demolition of the mural building. Only one bid was received. The council tabled the topic until September. The City Clerk will run the ad again since two bids are needed.

In another matter, council members discussed some cuts for the 2020 budget to lower the local property tax increase from 13.4% to 8.65%. It will discuss more cuts in September.

In other action, the council:

o Approved reimbursing Tom Beckendorf for reading the sewer and water pumps information, and for being the emergency pump person since Aug. 1. The city plans to hire someone to do the work in the future.

o Learned that fire department trucks will be housed in the Lemke building while the apron/driveway in front of the fire hall is being redone.

o Discussed rehabilitation of some dilapidated properties if they are usable, and perhaps using a tax break for owners who repair houses and get them back on the tax roll. The county will help with demolition of the two houses that are not usable.

o Learned the next City Council meeting will be 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at City Hall.