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Montrose will explore building skateboard park, dirt bike trail
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
MONTROSE - A city council member who works with students each day as the Central Lee High School library clerk is exploring the possibilities of bringing a few activities to Montrose, offering kids something more to do in the scenic river town.
“I'd like to see a project here to build a skateboard park and a BMX bicycle dirt track,” Mary VanPelt said Thursday at the regular city council meeting. “Kids at school have been asking about getting a skate park. I've researched and found it will take about $8,700 worth of concrete to build a small park.
“Our employees could build the dirt bike track. I think a good spot for both is across from the ballpark, across the stream and out of the way of the Watermelon Festival activities. The skate park could be built back there and the dirt track could go around by the pines. I've also checked and it would raise our city liability insurance about $25 per month. A bigger expense would be we'd want a fence built in back of those homes so kids couldn't cut through yards to get to the park, they'd have to come around.”
Council member Mark Conlee said his concern had been about the increase in they city's liability insurance. But $25 or so a month was not a bad price to pay for more activities for the town's kids, he said.
Council member John Geyer, a member of the Cultural and Recreation Committee, has researched buying new Christmas decorations for Montrose. He quoted prices and shared pictures of banners and wreaths he thought would be appropriate.
The council approved spending $3,243 for 10, 4 1/2-foot snowflakes in six patterns; two large wreaths; and 10 banners. The snowflakes will fit in the old hangers and the banners will replace the eagle banners for the holiday season.
“We have $6,000 or so for street beautification,” said Mayor Greg Ruth.
Geyer said the company is located near Des Moines and he is willing to drive there to pick up the decorations and save shipping costs, which are not included in the price. The company promises the items will be ready four to six weeks after the order is placed.
Council member David Hawk agreed to spend the money if someone drives to pick up the decorations. VanPelt volunteered to drive her truck.
In other business:
The council approved increasing the amount that employees and city council members can spend without council approval from $200 to $500.
“Every time we go out to buy something, it usually costs more than $200,” said Geyer. “We're not out to break the bank.”
Council member Melody Slater asked if employees need a council person's approval to spend up to $500 before a purchase.
“Each department has a budget,” said Ruth. “If it's in their budget, they can spend it.”
Police Chief Karl Judd reported the Montrose police answered 52 calls for service in the past month; issued four traffic tickets; gave one juvenile referral; and assisted the county sheriff department with a felony arrest.
“The county felony arrest involved a man with a gun and his girlfriend,” he said. “We're not New York and we're not trying to act like it. Still, serious things happen here. This is the second time for me in a Montrose uniform to arrive at a situation involving a gun.
“I've heard people trying to compare us to other cities. Montrose gets 10 percent more calls than Donnellson or West Point.”
Judd also said he and police officer Kent Ruby have trained with Public Works Director Mike Hoenig to run the water plant. Cross-training employees for back-up of different jobs was a goal the city set up when Ruth became mayor.
“Kent and I will go together this weekend so we can remind one another how it works and let Mike take the weekend off,” said Judd about the water plant.
n Ruth asked council members to bring recommendations for appointments to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Five terms expire Oct. 31. Two of the five do not want to continue serving, two members are willing to continue and one had not been contacted as of Thursday, Ruth said.
The council approved two new Code of Ordinance books at $50 each. One will remain in city hall for consultation and Ruth will have a copy. Council members' copies of the codes have pages missing.
“I think I've had my final meeting with FEMA,” said Ruth. “We should be contacted next by the FEMA wrap-up person and hopefully be handed a check.”
n Geyer, chair of the Public Works Committee, has a list residents who have called about streets and culvert repairs.
“Because of the flood and grass mowing, the employees have been very busy,” he said. “We have the list and we will get around to you.”
VanPelt is putting together welcome bags for newcomers in the community. She has solicited gift certificates and coupons from Montrose businesses along with information and history about the town to distribute.
“I'd like to see a project here to build a skateboard park and a BMX bicycle dirt track,” Mary VanPelt said Thursday at the regular city council meeting. “Kids at school have been asking about getting a skate park. I've researched and found it will take about $8,700 worth of concrete to build a small park.
“Our employees could build the dirt bike track. I think a good spot for both is across from the ballpark, across the stream and out of the way of the Watermelon Festival activities. The skate park could be built back there and the dirt track could go around by the pines. I've also checked and it would raise our city liability insurance about $25 per month. A bigger expense would be we'd want a fence built in back of those homes so kids couldn't cut through yards to get to the park, they'd have to come around.”
Council member Mark Conlee said his concern had been about the increase in they city's liability insurance. But $25 or so a month was not a bad price to pay for more activities for the town's kids, he said.
Council member John Geyer, a member of the Cultural and Recreation Committee, has researched buying new Christmas decorations for Montrose. He quoted prices and shared pictures of banners and wreaths he thought would be appropriate.
The council approved spending $3,243 for 10, 4 1/2-foot snowflakes in six patterns; two large wreaths; and 10 banners. The snowflakes will fit in the old hangers and the banners will replace the eagle banners for the holiday season.
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Geyer said the company is located near Des Moines and he is willing to drive there to pick up the decorations and save shipping costs, which are not included in the price. The company promises the items will be ready four to six weeks after the order is placed.
Council member David Hawk agreed to spend the money if someone drives to pick up the decorations. VanPelt volunteered to drive her truck.
In other business:
The council approved increasing the amount that employees and city council members can spend without council approval from $200 to $500.
“Every time we go out to buy something, it usually costs more than $200,” said Geyer. “We're not out to break the bank.”
Council member Melody Slater asked if employees need a council person's approval to spend up to $500 before a purchase.
“Each department has a budget,” said Ruth. “If it's in their budget, they can spend it.”
Police Chief Karl Judd reported the Montrose police answered 52 calls for service in the past month; issued four traffic tickets; gave one juvenile referral; and assisted the county sheriff department with a felony arrest.
“The county felony arrest involved a man with a gun and his girlfriend,” he said. “We're not New York and we're not trying to act like it. Still, serious things happen here. This is the second time for me in a Montrose uniform to arrive at a situation involving a gun.
“I've heard people trying to compare us to other cities. Montrose gets 10 percent more calls than Donnellson or West Point.”
Judd also said he and police officer Kent Ruby have trained with Public Works Director Mike Hoenig to run the water plant. Cross-training employees for back-up of different jobs was a goal the city set up when Ruth became mayor.
“Kent and I will go together this weekend so we can remind one another how it works and let Mike take the weekend off,” said Judd about the water plant.
n Ruth asked council members to bring recommendations for appointments to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Five terms expire Oct. 31. Two of the five do not want to continue serving, two members are willing to continue and one had not been contacted as of Thursday, Ruth said.
The council approved two new Code of Ordinance books at $50 each. One will remain in city hall for consultation and Ruth will have a copy. Council members' copies of the codes have pages missing.
“I think I've had my final meeting with FEMA,” said Ruth. “We should be contacted next by the FEMA wrap-up person and hopefully be handed a check.”
n Geyer, chair of the Public Works Committee, has a list residents who have called about streets and culvert repairs.
“Because of the flood and grass mowing, the employees have been very busy,” he said. “We have the list and we will get around to you.”
VanPelt is putting together welcome bags for newcomers in the community. She has solicited gift certificates and coupons from Montrose businesses along with information and history about the town to distribute.
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| Family Fright Night set Oct. 25 in Keokuk | Keokuk receives $1.4 million FEMA grant |
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Wow wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:27 PM: