Airport project could get additional funding

The Odessa Town Council met Monday night and approved a resolution allowing the town’s engineering firm to apply for a matching-funds grant for the Odessa municipal airport. The end of the funding cycle has been completed, and there is money still left that can be awarded. Mayor Doug Plinski said he hoped that a successful grant application would allow for help in moving a roadway and making improvements to taxiways at the Odessa airport.

Public Works

Public Works director Roger Sebesta and both members of his crew, Rod Webster and Jerry Monroe, were all on hand at the meeting to update the council on their springtime activities. They have:

• Put out the yard-waste bins, replacing older, rusted steel bins with new bins that are composed of both plastic and steel. Replacement costs have already been factored into residents' utility bills

• Turned on the water at Reiman Park, the playground and the volleyball playing area. The water is also on downtown, and the First Avenue trees are being watered regularly.

• Ordered new brushes for the street sweeper. Sweeping will begin soon to remove gravel, sand and other debris left over from the winter. The wrong replacement brushes were sent for the sweeper truck and had to be returned. The correct brushes have arrived and will be installed within the next few days. Homeowners on First Avenue will be notified as to when sweeping will begin, so they can move their cars out of the way.

Police

Officer Bryce Peterson reported that his department had received several phone calls concerning youthful panhandlers in Odessa. After looking at their IDs and checking for any outstanding warrants (there were none), they were told to be on their way, and they soon left town. Peterson reminded the council and other citizens present that no one should be coming to residents' doors trying to sell anything without first obtaining a permit to do so from the town clerk. The Green River Ordinance prohibits residential solicitations unless a municipal permit has been issued.

Peterson also reminded the council and all present that everyone needs to be extra vigilant this time of year when children are outside playing in the warmer weather. He reminded them to observe the school zone speed limits in particular and to slow down in general wherever children are present.

Cemetery

Marlene Kramer of the cemetery committee asked permission to spend a small amount of money to buy flowering plants to place around the cemetery chapel. Clerk Linda Burghard said she would check the budget, and council members gave their approval.

Pool

Pool committee chairperson Lois Harp said that several applications have been received for lifeguard positions at the pool this summer. The candidates will be interviewed by Harp for the council and Suzie Deife as a representative of the Friends of the Pool fundraising group.

Transportation

Plinski reported that Kennet Bertelson of the town's engineering firm USKH thought there might be some funding available for Fourth Avenue repair/replacement work under the part of the transportation plan calling for bicycle paths and trails because of the road’s strategic location connecting the school with its athletic fields.

Bertelson recently produced a study detailing a “trail” connecting Odessa’s main public facilities throughout the town and showing where new and/or repaired sidewalks were needed in order for the town to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If the grant application is unsuccessful, Bertelson believes Odessa could be in line to receive money for Fourth Avenue during the next funding cycle for which applications are due at the end of August.

Other

The search for a new town marshal, following the retirement of Mike Wren, has so far yielded four applications, plus a number of calls for additional information to the town clerk’s office.