Kahoka Council Addresses Wide Variety of Issues In Monday Meeting
Kahoka Council Addresses Wide Variety of Issues In Monday Meeting
By Mike Scott
The Kahoka Board of Aldermen covered a variety of business during their two-hour meeting on Monday evening, July 12. Topping the agenda was multifaceted discussion involving the city’s platted street through the MFA station lot on South Johnson St., electrical power to the new cell phone tower just south of Hwy 136, and a request to provide sewer service to IMI Equipment. Kent Nixon is the owner of all three properties. For some time, the city has been working with Nixon correct a property issue at the MFA station, where some of the driveway and possibly pumps are located on a platted city street. Nixon has agreed to pay for a survey to correct that issue.
Electric lines have been run to the new cell tower site, but Nixon wanted the lines run underground. The city prefers to keep the lines above ground so it can extend them to the new Clark County Road and Bridge development when the county is ready. Additionally, Nixon would like city sewer service to IMI Equipment, which is not within city limits.
Action on all three issues was tabled until the council could arrange a meeting with Nixon.
Mayor Wayne Blum reported that the downtown enhancement grant plans have been submitted for state and federal approval. If approved, the project can proceed to the bidding process.
Alderman Larry Young reported there was only one bid received for cemetery stone restoration. Clark County Memorial Shop was the only bidder, and will receive $4000 to reset 14 grave stones.
“We’re trying to address the ones that have fallen, or are falling over and will probably hit another stone,” said Young.
The council also denied a request to waive the late fee on the utility bill for Eastgate Apartments, as the bills state the 10 percent late fee will be charged if payment is not received by 8:00am on the 11th of the month.
In other business, the council:
–Agreed to install flashing lights at the four-way stop at Johnson and Main in Kahoka.
–The high bidder for the fire van would not accept the vehicle. The board will decide how to dispose of the van at a future meeting.
–Jim Sherwood reported survey work has begun on the project to extend the waterline crossing Fox River.
–Approved building permits for Julius Smith and Clark County Schools. Additionally, they discussed a property on West Exchange where a mobile home was moved out and another
moved in. Sherwood stated he did not know if the property was compliant because of its size.
–Approved a transfer of approximately $44,000 of leftover CDBG Demolition grant funds into KCDI.
–Approved sending animal control officer Bill Young to a training session in LaGrange.
–Alderman Jerry Webber discussed budget utility billing. He suggested the city use a rolling 12 month average, which would then adjust the payment monthly, in order to avoid large arrears charges.
–Alderman Young reported that mosquito spraying is taking place twice a week, and reminded residents to empty any standing water.
–Young commented that the tennis courts at OMAKOHAK Park are in poor shape. He asked those who are interested in tennis to let the city know.
–Alderman Jeff Wood suggested hiring and independent contractor to clean out ditches using city equipment during evenings and weekends.
