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CEYLON -- The Ceylon City Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 4, a week early since the regular meeting date is filled with the Primary Election and the polling place is the City Hall in Ceylon.
A resident requested the removal of the climbing round equipment at the park. The city agreed that they would remove the old equipment when the new park equipment was delivered. The Helping Hands of Ceylon group will use a $6,000 grant to purchase new park equipment for the Ceylon Park.
The city employee reports included a request for the repair or replacement of a hydrant used for farm water fills. The council approved the city employee to get quotes and replace or repair the hydrant for $1,500. The council also approved asking that the repairman raise the hydrant near the mayor’s house for an amount not to exceed that price for both tasks. The city employee asked that the $500 received for the sale of the four-wheeler be used to increase the purchase power for the power washer to the $2,500 price quoted to him. The council approved.
The ordinance violation of a boat on a resident's property was turned over to the sheriff. Some property owners began the cleanup process after they received a letter but the 30 days is not over. Six properties will be chosen by the council with the help of the city employee and will receive a letter about cleaning up the violations of ordinances on their property soon.
Two trees should be removed and the council approved that task for the city employee to begin. The council asked how the city knows which trees were treated with the replenish. There are small tags on the trees.
Moving to other matters, a representative from New Century LP, a Propane Service with offices in Estherville, Iowa, Armstrong, Iowa and Jackson, explained his services and prices with a $1.399 price in August and a winter lock-in price from September to March for a two-year contract. Some of the services offered were tank monitors for $25 a year, readings emailed to residents from drivers, safety inspections once a year and prepaid discounts. The council asked some questions and they decided to bring up the matter at their budget work session and bring up raises for the non-meter residents at the budget session.
Finally, the council reports centered around the opening of sealed bids for the replacement of the City Shop roof. After discussion of the bids, the council approved hiring Nick Feely to replace the tin roof for $13,000. In a discussion about how to pay for the replacement of the roof the council approved using some of the savings in the Edward Jones account. The clerk will present a resolution to transfer the funds legally at the next meeting.
In other news:
-- The council did an evaluation for Clerk Mary Muller and approved a raise in salary and additional vacation days.
-- The Fire Association meeting report mentioned a lift needed. One council member found a lift for $2,500, which is less than the price the fire association was seeking. The council agreed to present that proposal to the Fire Association, which has a $2,000 grant to help purchase the lift.
-- The Mayor said that a swap meet (no money exchanged) will be done from 1 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 23, for gently used items that residents may want to get rid of and others may find useful. After the swap meet the items left will be donated or trashed. Items will be brought from Wednesday to Saturday before the swap meet. Residents are asked to think about donating any items in good condition and swapping items they may need. Watch for further information.
-- Since Nate Beckendorf has not received his license yet, the council approved hiring Paul Schoen as a water and wastewater employee temporarily. They will pay him $450 for the water licensed job and $250 for the wastewater job. Jim Plumhoff will retire in September.
The Ceylon City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, at City Hall.