Photo by Hannah Wingert
At the February 10 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the January 13 meeting, the claims and January checks, the investment report, the cash balances, and the budget. A liquor license renewal for Kwik Trip was also approved with the condition that all required documents are received by the city.
Brett Grabau from Stantec presented a proposal for $49,433.36 to the council which would allow Stantec to work with the city on the lead service line replacement and improvement project. The city received a grant from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for up to $250,000 to replace the water service on 10 properties in Harmony that have been identified as having lead or galvanized pipe. The council approved the proposal.
Pay request #4 from Olympic Builders in the amount of $215,602.50 for the wastewater treatment plant UV project was reviewed and approved. The UV system will be operational in the next few weeks. Olympic Builders requested an extension request for the project with a final completion date of June 30. The request was tabled.
Bill Spitzer, Director of Transportation at Rolling Hills Transit reviewed the findings of a recent survey conducted in Harmony. Forty-five people responded and, of that number, 80% were unaware that Harmony had public transportation services available. Fifty-three percent saw a need for it in Harmony. Spitzer said that he would like to begin an advertising campaign in Harmony to raise awareness of the service for those who need it. Direct mailings have been successful in the past for Rolling Hills Transit, so Spitzer plans to do that and asked the council if it would help offset costs. He noted that Rolling Hills Transit services Harmony from Monday through Friday and from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day on a demand response basis. Rides can be scheduled, preferably 24 hours in advance although short notice scheduling is also possible, by calling the 800 number or using the app. Spitzer asked if the council would help support the service with an annual donation of $1,420. Jesse Grabau made a motion to donate $1,000 to Rolling Hills Transit which was approved. The council will discuss the possibility of assisting with costs for the mailers at the March meeting after Spitzer finalizes the cost for them.
The council approved a request to order a 2026 Chevy Silverado at a total cost of $40,731 to replace the 2017 Chevy 1500 utility truck. A repair will need to be completed on the current truck before it can be sold.
Two quotes for valve replacements at the wastewater treatment plant were reviewed. A proposal from TLC Excavating in the amount of $31,000 was approved.
Two New Home rebate applications were received by the EDA. Both were approved by the EDA and the council.
The Park Board will have the tree program again this spring. They would also like to advertise for up to two summer help positions which the council approved.
The Harmony library has been hosting crafting events which have been going well and has several more scheduled for March. The Winter Reading program is going well as is the Book Olympics.
The new fire truck is in St. Paul and should be delivered and in service on February 23.
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