Ceylon talks sidewalk dilemma

CEYLON-- Ceylon City Council met Tuesday evening. One comment from the public was about the Halloween party on Oct. 22, and a reminder that raffle tickets are on sale until today.

Tomorrow, the winners will be drawn.

The meeting began with a discussion from Councilor Walter and Travis Winter, engineer from Bolton and Menk, about some buildings in downtown Ceylon that are uninhabitable and should be demolished. MnDOT, County engineer and structural engineers have had a meeting to discuss what to do with sidewalks by these condemned buildings. The MnDOT structural engineer doesn't want to make sidewalks by those buildings. They proposed to make curb and gutter and street but no sidewalks in front of those buildings for public safety. Some of the buildings have roof collapse and foundation collapse and water and dirt have

washed into the building from the street and sides. The City doesn't want the no sidewalk proposal but must go through condemnation and demolition process which is lengthy and expensive.

County Engineer, Kevin Peyman, said that this must be addressed before the project is turned back to the County. Other proposals have been to make a structural barrier and then sidewalk and to make a sidewalk some distance away from the building. Some of the proposals are not feasible since the structural strength is not adequate for these buildings. The council will wait for the structural engineer's report and may have a special meeting to address this problem.

The council reports asked about the four houses that were supposed to be photographed and put on the abatement list. Also asked what happened to car in the impound lot. There are some building permits applied for but not approved. The Council approved impounding and towing the dump truck parked in the alley by St. Peter Lutheran Church after Waste Management takes the garbage out of it.

A question about the replacement of the trees removed was asked. The council thought that would have to be done next year.

The clerk reported that the REA Broadband is in town locating houses to be installed. Residents should check the REA website for information and to sign up for the Broadband.

The next regular Ceylon City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 15, since the second Tuesday is election day.