Several Harmony residents attended the public hearing for the proposed 2017 improvement project at the November 15 city council meeting. The project will include three different areas that the city would like to improve. The costs presented at the meeting were based on the feasibility study and will more than likely change somewhat after bids from contractors are accepted and the project is underway.
Linda Polesky asked when residents affected by the project would find out if and what assessments they would have for their properties. City Engineer Brett Grabau informed her that a second public hearing will be held after the council approved the project, at which time residents will be informed of their estimated assessments. In the meantime, he was able to look up her property and the properties of the other residents attending the hearing and let them know what type of assessments they most likely have.
The public hearing was closed and the regular city council meeting was opened.
Matthew Gregg, a member of the Boys Scouts Troop 67 of Harmony, Preston, and Lanesboro, asked the council for permission to paint “Buckle Up” pavement markings in city-owned parking lots in Harmony. The markings would be placed at the exits of the parking lots and not on the street itself. He has been working with Fillmore County Health Educator Brenda Pohlman to supply the stencils for the approximately 5’ x 4’ pavement markings reminding drivers to buckle their seatbelts. So far, he has painted several in Preston and has plans to do more there. The stencils use white Rustoleum paint and have a dry time of around 30 minutes.
“It’s a good idea,” Councilmember Steve Sagen remarked. The council approved the pavement markings and congratulated Matthew on his project.
A resignation from Emergency Management Director Stuart Morem was accepted with regret. Morem recommended Bill Hanlon as his replacement, with which the council concurred.
The wastewater treatment plant and well projects have been completed. Several change orders and the final pay requests were submitted to the city and were approved pending completion of paperwork.
The council accepted the proposal for the 2017 improvement project from Stantec as discussed during the public hearing.
City Administrator Jerome Illg noted that the fire alarm at the community center is not working. A committee put together prices from different alarm companies and recommended going with Custom Alarm. The council approved the purchase.
Harmony librarian Stephanie Silvers has recently begun purchasing dvds for the library through Amazon rather than through various book companies to save money. Mayor Steve Donney felt that a lot of the budget was being spent on dvds and wants to look into statistics for checkouts and number of dvds purchased each month.
To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Harmony Public Library, door prizes will be given out at an open house on December 3. Library patrons are encouraged to enter to win every time they visit the library.
Deputy Clerk Eileen Schansberg noted that the city has been discussing a possible location for a medical helicopter landing pad. Representatives for Mayo One and MedLink Air identified several possibilities, all of which are owned by the city. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with the council.
The next meeting will be held on December 20 at 7 p.m.