Harmony Area Arts Board shares postcard project with city council

Fillmore Central student Eva Hemenway represented the Harmony Area Arts Board on Tuesday evening as she addressed the Harmony City Council. Hemenway explained a recent Arts Board project in which the organization invited local artists to design potential postcards for the Harmony community.

Hemenway explained that three designs were chosen and generously printed by LetterWerks and are available at the Harmony Visitor Center as well as some local businesses. The suggested donation of $1 each will go towards supporting future projects for the Arts Board.

She concluded by saying she hopes this contest will become an annual event.

Council members responded that it was a great idea and were encouraging for future designs as well.

In a related matter, Erica Thilges gave the Chamber of Commerce report, noting that phase one of the community sign project has been completed with directional signs being installed at several intersections throughtown.

“We want to thank you, the city, and all who donated,” she said.

Thilges also added that there was an “issue with the quote,” and the group has a surplice of funds in the amount of $3,000. “We plan to add a history center sign and another parking sign that will go by the bank,” she said.

The remainder of the funds will go into a separate account for future use as signage projects come up.

Tree program

The city council voted to extend the deadline for ordering boulevard trees until June 22. The city tree program allows residents to order trees through the city supplier with the city contributing half the cost if planted within the boulevard. Residents can also order trees for other locations on their property, but will pay the full list price.

To qualify as a “boulevard tree,” the tree must be planted within 12 to 25 feet of the curb. Trees cannot be planted underneath power lines.

If a resident would like to order a tree, or multiple trees, they should contact the city office by June 22. Payment is due with order.

Tree varieties that are available include Autumn Blaze Maple, Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple, Burgundy Bell Maple, Royal Red Maple, Red Mound Linden, several varieties of Oak and crab apple trees.

Splash pad updates

The city council discussed the need to add a part to the splash pad, which would help regulate the amount of water being used. The new part would regulate the features so not all are operating at the same time if no one is in the vicinity.

Clerk Samantha Grabau also noted the splash pad committee is committed to raising more funds to help pay for the additional part needed to regulate the water.

The city staff has also reduced the amount of time the water runs without engagement.

“It might be more fun for the kids too,” said Mayor Steve Donney, “as it would provide a bit of variety of what pieces are spraying water.”

Three additional pieces of equipment will be installed in the next few weeks as well, with the splash pad then being complete.

Within the first two weeks or so of being open, over 500,000 gallons of water had been used.

Also, to help conserve a little more water, the hours the splash pad is open have been adjusted to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Other business

The council approved the liquor license renewal for the Harmony Golf Club.

Based on a recommendation from the city’s economic development authority, the city approved a loan for Monster Bash.

The council discussed the need to replace the 2014 city utility truck, which Councilor Jesse Grabau noted was on a 10-year rotation. He explained the “state bid” process does not save cities as much money as it once did, so recommended looking at local options. He had a “rough bid” for a half-ton, crew-cab truck for $48,000 that he felt would serve the city well. The council approved a motion to spend up to $48,000 on a new utility truck.

Jesse Grabau also updated the council on the new tractor, explaining that it had arrived at Hammell Equipment and the city crew will be transferring equipment over to the new tractor. Once that process is completed, the tractor will go into service.

The council approved the purchase of a walk-behind power rake from Run Right Power for the maintenance department. Having this would allow city crews to seed and restore grassy areas once construction projects are complete. “It would get used a couple times a year, but would pay for itself,” explained Grabau. “You wouldn’t have to hire someone to come in and do all the reseeding.”

In the park board report, it was noted that three new steel grills will be purchased for the Trailhead Park as usage of this park has increased with the addition of the splash pad, musical notes and playground equipment.

It was also noted that two council members conducted a town survey regarding possible ordinance violations, specifically inoperable vehicles. Letters of warning were sent and three offenders have not remedied the problem. Samantha Grabau asked that the council approve additional measures, which include issuing citations. The council concurred.

The next meeting of the Harmony City Council will take place at 7 p.m. on July 11.