The Marysville City Council met Monday. The Police Department recognized several officers, including Todd Packett and James Leis with a lifesaving award for their efforts at a call that resulted in saving an unresponsive man. Tim Anderson received a valor award for efforts in responding to the jailbreak in Marysville in October and was presented a dedicated service award for serving over 16 years with the department. Chief Todd Ackerman also was recognized with a valor award for efforts following the jailbreak, including suspect pursuit and arrest in Nebraska.
A lengthy discussion regarding a request for open sale and carry of beer at the annual Mother’s market resulted in a compromise that beer and wine may be offered in a controlled area downtown Friday evening, and Saturday. A similar request was approved for the Big Blue Barbecue, with somewhat fewer restrictions on carry downtown.
A pay raise for elected officials was combined with a decision in lieu of offering dental benefits, additional compensation would be added, with individual benefits purchase available. The result will increase the mayor salary increasing to $3,620 from $2,400 and council members to $2,820 from $1,400 annually. The dental benefits compromise resulted in $420 of the increase for each. It was noted the last pay raise was 17 years ago. Todd Frye and Jason Barnes voted no.
An ordinance increasing municipal court fees from $65 to $85 was approved. An ordinance was approved adding a 25% surcharge to past due water/sewer and court fee collections that will offset a 30% charge by a firm being contracted to assist in attaching collections to an individual’s state income tax refund. The effort was undertaken as the city faces some $24,000 in past due water bills, and some $118,000 in municipal court costs and judgments.
Lengthy consideration was given a request by City Administrator Austin St. John to attend 5 conferences this year, for a total of 15 days. One was eliminated. City Clerk Debbie Price was given permission to attend 3 conferences and be gone 13 days.
A motion to approve a design contract with B.G. Consultants for $126,500 was passed for developing improvements for a grant project planned next year. The $1.6 million project would include removing current asphalt and brick sub surface on U.S. Highway 77 from U.S. Highway 36 south to Spring Street and replacing it with concrete. Sewer lines, and storm sewer would also be addressed as needed. Concern with a $3,500 contract overrun by B.G. Consultants for oversight on resurfacing U.S. Highway 36 this past fall did not set well with the council, who asked assurance that the bid would indeed cover any anticipated costs, and no unexpected costs would be incurred.
Approval was given to go out for bids for concrete work adding handicapped parking and a sidewalk at Lakeview Sports Complex, estimated to cost $10,000. The mayor advised the City Administrator to develop a five-year residential street plan. An ad hoc committee was appointed to assist with updating the storm water regulations. A motion passed to purchase a new truck for the Police Department. Two bids were received for standard vehicles, with an alternate for an upgraded pursuit vehicle that was approved for $24,500 after trade in. That bid was some $5,000 higher than the lowest standard option bid. An additional $3,000 is budgeted to retrofit communications equipment, the vehicle is expected to serve 3-4 years.
