During the May 14 city council meeting, Eitzen Mayor Jeff Adamson briefed council members on his recent conversation with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region’s executive director, Kahya Fox. She assured the mayor that she will make the town’s Habitat for Humanity house a priority, and she will light a fire under the feet of the project managers.
Mayor Adamson said that residents continue to ask him on a regular basis when the house will be completed, and it is starting to get frustrating because he does not have an answer for them. He explained that the non-profit obtained its building permit on October 1, 2022, and did not renew it last fall. They have only had two workdays. Additionally, a couple of contractors have approached him about buying the house. Adamson estimates that the non-profit has approximately $70,000 invested in the house.
The council is in agreement that they would like to see the house completed by the town’s Fourth of July celebration as the house is currently an eyesore. Furthermore, the council reached a consensus to draft a letter to Fox outlining the city’s concerns. Additionally, they decided to renew the expired building permit, extending it from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2024.
Mayor Adamson called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Eitzen City Council to order at 6:06 p.m.
Council members, including Mayor Adamson, Emily Burrichter, Mitch Lange, Mitch Luttchens, and Doug Meyer, were all present. Others in attendance included City Clerk Steve Schuldt and Eitzen Lions Club member Dave Bullman.
The meeting agenda, April 9 minutes with one correction, and the April financial reports were unanimously approved.
Bullman urged the council to reconsider their decision made at the January 9 council meeting regarding the payment for improvements at the ballpark. The Lions Club had invoiced the city for $7,000 for improvements completed at the ballpark. However, a mutual agreement had been established for a 50/50 cost split between the city and the Lions Club. Given that the city had already spent $4,000-5,000 for the improvements it was proposed that the Lions Club be reimbursed $5,000 instead of the originally invoiced $7,000, which was unanimously approved.
Additionally, Bullman presented the council with quotes for possible projects at both the ball diamond and the track. The council approved a 50/50 cost-sharing arrangement with the Eitzen’s Lions Club to purchase aluminum bleachers, measuring five rows by 15’ to be installed behind home plate at the ballpark. The estimated cost is $2,035 not including freight. Bullman and Adamson both expressed confidence that they could find someone to pick up the bleachers. Additionally, the Lions Club asked the council to pay 50% of the expenses to replace the planks on the bleachers at the track, which was denied. Furthermore, it was decided that the Lions Club is responsible for installing a ceiling in the beer tent which will require a licensed electrician for the electrical work.
Council member and Fire Chief Meyer will talk with residents to see if they are interested in purchasing house numbers to install on their homes. Meyer confirmed that he would personally install them if necessary. The house numbers are available for $5.
Mayor Adamson brought to the council’s attention that both Mitch Lange and Mitch Luttchens are up for reelection. Lange announced that he is going to run for another four-year term and Luttchens is thinking about it. Additionally, the mayor disclosed his candidacy for another two-year term.
The council unanimously approved the payment of the April bills before the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
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