CEYLON– Ceylon City Council met Tuesday evening and approved the 2022 budget with a 1.17 percent increase. This budget will be sent to the state. The council asked that a resolution be drawn up dissolving the City fitness center account and putting any monies into the general account since the fitness center has been inactive since 2019. The council also agreed that rental/lease agreements or contracts should be drawn up for anyone renting any part of that building. One councilman asked if that building was slated for demolition or repair. The council decided that discussions about replacing that building with a community building were discussed but no action has been taken and the formation of a committee to discuss it has not progressed. The building houses Ceylon First non-profit offices and Beckendorf Electric offices and the Ceylon Area Historical Society Museum. Another resident has asked about space for a small grocery type store in that building. Plans are waiting for licensing and business plans for that enterprise.

The council also heard from residents during public comments/questions. One resident asked about the four-wheelers and dirt bikes racing near houses in town. The council told her the ordinance reads that the speed limit in town for those recreational vehicles is 10 miles per hour and no one is allowed to ride on private property without permission. There is also a state law about the age of the rider. Letters will be sent to those violating this ordinance/law.

Carol Morris was on the agenda with concerns about the lot marker missing from her lot and asked that it be put back or the City would have to re-survey the lot lines. The council asked that the city employee contact her this week and repost the lot marker. She also asked about the $10 charge for those who are not installing the new water meter. She said the installers did not finish the job and mentioned that the City needed to finish something first. The council assured her that the charge is only for those refusing water meters, and she would not be under that guideline. They asked that the city employee check with the installers and finish the water meter installing and whatever the City had to do to finish their part of the installation. Morris thanked the council.

The water lines by Lincoln Street are scheduled to be dug up Nov. 16-17 and the water for the whole City of Ceylon will be turned off on the 17th.

The rental agreement with the City and Beckendorf Electric for the office space in the old city hall building and Tom’s stipend for helping the city water system in emergencies was discussed. The $60 per hour and $60 per emergency call was approved with a 3 to 2 vote. The council asked that the wording about the stipend be included in the annual new contract in January.

The council discussed the contract with Beemer Company about the water brought to the Ceylon water treatment area. They asked about the plan for the non septic water analysis before the water would be entered into the system. They tabled the decision until

next meeting and will discuss their concerns with Beemer representatives before approval. Council reports included a fire association report that the fire personnel is fully staffed as of now, the water truck is being refitted, and that the firefighters relief association is planning fundraiser pancake brunches for the second Sunday of the month for several months starting with this weekend on November 14. The grant writer, Abby Wright, is working on the LTD broadband grant given Ceylon with an environmental review for DEED right now. The Council decided to have a special meeting on Jan. 18, 2022, to do some city planning.

In other news, the council approved having a Christmas lighting contest for the City. The city clerk will arrange for an anonymous judge and the first, second and third winners will receive as a prize a credit on their utility bill.

The next meeting of the Ceylon City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec 14, at Ceylon City Hall.