CEYLON– Ceylon City Council met on Thursday, as a make-up meeting for one missed on Tuesday. The council received a report from Jennifer Howard of Community Economics Development Association (CEDA), a company helping with the broadband project. The broadband project has clearance awarded so the Federated Rural Electric Association (REA) may begin their part of the broadband project in Ceylon. In order that payments may be made efficiently, the council approved the city clerk treasurer to draw and disburse funds from the broadband funds for broadband expenses rather than have the council meet

each time funds were needed. The website for REA and utility bills have spaces for information and to sign up for the broadband. Even if a resident does not have internet now the connection should be installed because later it will be much more expensive to install. It will also improve the house re-sale value.

There were two public comments/questions at the beginning of the regular meeting. One asked about the waste or trash gravel on Grove Street where it is gravel. Samples of glass and large stones were observed by residents. The council will find out where the

gravel came from and who put it on that street. The second comment was to report that there will be a Halloween event for the city from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 22, in the back room at the Lake Belt Bar and Grill. There is a committee working on lots of games and

activities such as coloring, a picture booth for parents to take pictures, prizes for decorating a table, a scary coffin and lots of free fun activities with refreshments like hotdogs, cookies, chips and beverage. A raffle fundraiser is underway with tickets at two for $5 or 5 tickets for $10. The tickets are at city hall or Lake Belt Bar and Grill or from the committee members, Judith Perkins, Chris Griffin, Jordan Burmeister, Barb Kronback, Shelly Schmidtke and Angie Connell. The prizes for the raffle will be awarded on Oct. 15 and are $100 gift certificate at Welcome Meats; $50 certificate at Lake Belt Bar and Grill; and a $50 certificate from HyVee. The council thanked the committee for spearheading a fun safe activity for the youth of Ceylon.

In other business, the council approved the proposed tax levy of 8.5 percent with the understanding that it can be lowered but not raised. The final decision will be in December.

The council approved the assessment of $40,000+ to be added to property tax for abandoned properties that needed mowing and maintenance by the City since the owners did not maintain their property. One-hundred per trip is charged for the maintenance by the City

employees. Discussion was held as to what can be done about the abandoned properties.

The general election will be held on Nov. 8, so the council approved moving its meeting date to Nov. 15 that month. Candidates who filed affidavits for the election in Ceylon are: Mayor – John Gibeau, Marvin Zehm, and Armin Kronback; and for two council seats are

Wayne Walter, Lon Oelke, Chris Griffin, John Halvorson, Chuck Marlin, Tiffany Scott (Marlin) and Scott Smith.