Harmony resident Cindy Ofstedal addressed the city council at their November 9 meeting to ask them to consider the condition of the gymnasium at the Community Center. She is a member of an exercise group that meets there and the group has noticed that the gym could use new paint, deep cleaning, and some updating for the stage. If the council is going to tackle the project, they will need to start thinking about where the funds will come from, when it will be started, and who will do the work. Mayor Steve Donney thanked Ofstedal for bringing it to their attention. “At one point, it would be nice to get it done,” he commented, adding that it had been a number of years since any work had been completed in the gym.
Pay request #2 for the Dairyland project was reviewed and approved. The city’s portion of the project is done until next spring.
A petition was received from three landowners on Center Street requesting that the city vacate the street. The council set a public hearing to be held at the December meeting to discuss the matter further.
City Administrator Devin Swanberg noted that the city will need to consider raising utility rates next year due to inflation. The rates have not been increased for several years.
The city’s contract with Waste Management will be up in March of 2022. Swanberg is in the process of gathering bids that include options for garbage bags or wheeled totes.
A five-year contract with CEDA was approved with a 3% increase in cost.
The council approved Resolution 21-20 declaring the commercial district on both sides of the street along Main Street/Highway 52 a slum and blighted area. The qualification for that designation is having at least 25% of buildings in need of repair in that area. The resolution needed to be passed in order for the city to apply for a Downtown Revitalization Block Grant. A motion was also approved to make a match for the existing Block Grant.
Haunted Harmony saw a good turnout this year and the Chamber reported over 1,100 visitors to Harmony during the month of October. The visitor guide is being finalized with Perfectly Glossy. The Chamber has its annual craft show, small business Saturday, Breakfast with Santa and community tree lighting events coming up.
The Park Board reported that the splash pad project is moving along. The board is in the process of reviewing the campground rates for the upcoming year.
The Arts Board is currently looking for new members to join. The lighting contest will be held again this year in Harmony.
A resolution was passed at the last fire department meeting to raise the retirement amount from $1,050 to $1,150 per year of service. The city council approved the increase as well.
The next Harmony city council meeting will be held on December 14 at 7 p.m.
s.rebh says
Nice article.thanks