Harrington news

Mayor Dillon Haas opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, with Councilmembers Rick Becker, Mike Cronrath, Justin Slack, Levi Schenk and Peter Davenport, plus City Clerk Bunny Haugan and Maintenance Director Scott McGowan. Visitors present were Dick Derr, Jacob Montgomery (student), Chris Hickman, Donita Simon, Marge Womach, Sharon Schultz and Doug Miller (of Kimble Mid-West).

The mayor updated the council on various maintenance projects, stating that he had recently toured the wastewater treatment facility along with Alan Gay (of Stantec) and McGowan. They discussed potential improvements in structure and management to create a positive effect on both operations and sampling results. Also discussed was the current water leak on Willis Street between 4th and 5th which cannot be repaired until the city vaccuum truck’s hydraulic boom is repaired. The maintenance department is awaiting delivery of parts. The mayor assured the meeting that he is daily (nearly) monitoring the leak and that it will be repaired soon after the truck is running. The mayor also reported that some cemetery clean-up has been undertaken, with fallen branches having been cut and removed.

Among the bills that were approved was the Request for Qualifications advertised in the Spokesman Review for $640, which will be reimbursed by the Transportation Improvement Board grant. Cronrath reminded the council of the need for the city to conserve on spending, a theme by which he is recognized. It was suggested that maintenance personnel order more and make fewer shopping trips. However, it was pointed out that shopping trips are combined with other city business trips.

Jacob Montgomery, Harrington High School student body president, returned to the council with information gathered regarding last month’s council request to determine whether students could help citizens clear their driveways or sidewalks of snow as community service projects. About 20 of the 35 students are interested in creating a program for this snow problem, but they are also interested in helping during other seasons with lawns, flowers, leaves or garbage. Wednesday was the most likely available day for the students to work.

He stated that some issues would need to be resolved first. A supervisor would need to be on site for student safety and liability. Supplies and tools would be an expense item before any work could be done. A system would need to be developed for those needing workers to communicate with the available students. A council member stated that it probably “would not be wise” to get the city involved in the project, primarily due to liability issues. The council recommended that the issue be left between the citizens needing assistance and the persons willing to do the work.

Doug Miller, representing Kimble Mid-West, shared with the council an opportunity for funding through the Transportation Improvement Board to upgrade the acorn street lights on Third Street to commercial LED low-voltage bulbs. While he spoke he demonstrated the greater luminosity of the LEDs, which are less expensive to operate. Following his demonstration at the council’s table, the group proceeded outside to see against the night sky how bright the LEDs are by comparison to the standing lights on the street. Miller assured the council that his company, Kimble Mid-West, would prepare the paperwork and submit it to the Board for approval. To change the lamps is not complicated but does require an electrician. The council voted to allow the mayor to move forward on this street light replacement project and contact other cities that have made this change and determine their satisfaction. The actual cost outlay to the city was not addressed, nor the amount of available funding. It was noted that the LED lights have a five-year warranty.

The mayor reported that the city had received six responses from engineering firms to the advertised “Request for Qualifications.” The street committee will meet February 12 to review the applications.

Haas brought his updated fee schedule for use of the Memorial Hall for weekly and bi-monthly contract rates. He is looking to increase regular usage of the hall. Issues addressed were questioning the cost per hour versus the cost per dollars for expenses to the city. The mayor had in mind potential uses for the hall might include a game night or book reading club, any group wanting to meet indoors. Event insurance was also discussed. Each group that rents the Memorial Hall must show proof of insurance before the event. The mayor felt that his proposed rates for the hall would cover maintenance costs. The fee schedule presented was approved by the council by a vote of 5-0.

The long-discussed dog ordinance and its implementation is gaining headway, as the mayor announced that non-compliance notices had gone out to dog owners who failed to pay their 2015 dog licenses (in May). Since last month’s decree that the mayor “take care of it,” about 50 percent of those in violation have now paid. Although the 2015 dog ordinance was advertised in the Lincoln Advertiser and at city hall, the city had not informed each dog owner of the change, and consequently the mayor did not enforce fines for those paying the 2015 fee this late. Fees for 2016 are due the end of May, and citizens will be notified/reminded on their monthly utility bill. No comment was made about the 50 percent who remain non-compliant.

The “old” city hall building at 108 S. Third is the current location of the city siren, for which the city pays upwards of $25 each month toward the electric bill. The mayor is looking at alternate solutions for this expense, such as a manual Industrial Air Raid siren, moving the siren and gathering information from the Sheriff’s Office or Homeland Security and the fire commissioners.

Harrington has been selected to receive UPWP (Unified Planning Work Program, a federally-mandated document serving as the annual work plan for local and regional transportation planning projects) funds of $7,700 to cover a Sign Inventory/Retro-reflective Analysis and Traffic ADT Study. These funds are limited to paying for “planning tasks only.” Councilman Becker indicated that Lincoln County could administer the project scheduled for this summer.

Councilman Schenk inquired about the city having its own website, which it does not have. The mayor said the Chamber of Commerce site has been used for posting public information, but that it belongs to the Chamber. Schenk said someone had inquired about posting available houses for rent or sale; the city clerk has a tentative list which is not published on the net. The meeting adjourned shortly before 10 p.m.