The Mankato City Council met Aug. 3. Christina Jeffery asked the council to approve a splash pad at the City Park. She indicated this would be special to the county. Grants can help as well. She indicated this can also assist special ed needs for those who can’t swim. The council asked who would fund it. Jeffery said money will be raised by fundraisers and donors. The city will only need to run the piping for the water and sewer. A splash pad will bring people into the city. Councilman Klos asked council members what issues there are to having a splash pad. Councilman Tyler said a splash pad was good if it is near the park restrooms. Jeffery indicated the estimated price for the splash pad is $78,726. So far, she has raised $4,000 towards the splash pad.
Amanda Horn from Regional Planning briefed the council on meeting dates and upcoming meetings. She reminded the council there is a KIAC meeting at 8 a.m., on Aug. 10, for the sewer upgrades. The city attorney and city administrator will attend. Horn said the city can apply for temporary financing through KDHE, and interest will be on what is used. SRF funds is a good option for temporary financing. She also said the three options are KDHE, USDA and CDBG.
Lewis Hyatt from Miller and Associates presented updates to the Sewer PER. Council President Dauner asked about service lines and whose responsibility are they? Lewis said the responsibility is the homeowners from the tap to the house.
Kevin Peroutek, county emergency management director, briefed the council on the American Rescue (ARP) Plan and funding. Even if the city has received ARP funds, they can still apply through the county.
Jacob Barry, from the Boy Scouts, presented and requested a donation from the city to build a Gagu Pitt at the elementary school near the soccer field.
Sara Grout, library board president, and Don Koester, library board member, requested the city look at installing story boards for the library along the walkway at the community center. The council asked the administrator to determine if the sprinkler system will allow that.
Aaron Coil updated the council on where he is with the former bowling alley. He said he had three bids to demolish the building, but all backed out. Aaron said he will take it down himself. Council President Dauner asked how long it would take him to take it down? Coil said the roof by Nov. 1.
The consent agenda was approved.
Attorney Miller updated the council on the auction on the July 27 for the items in Jewell Grocery. He said not much sold. Only about $1,600 in sales.
Utility deposits were approved to increase to $250.
The council approved to hold all special meetings no earlier than 6 p.m.
The council agreed with Attorney Miller that it would not be a good idea at this time to increase sales tax.
The administrator informed council the city has received $61.896.30 in ARP Grant funds and will receive the other half next year. It was approved to use the funds for point repair on the sewer project.
The council approved a donation for the Boy Scouts to purchase concrete in the amount of $920. The motion to increase the library mill levy from 5.34 to 7.261 carried.
The story board for the library was tabled until the next meeting.
Engineering fees in the amount of $156,000 for the water project were approved.
George Hennion’s CMB permit for an event on the Aug. 28 was approved.
Councilwoman Abel will talk to the county commissioners about holding a delinquent tax sale. Attorney Miller suggested citizens receive a letter that their house is up for a tax sale if approved.
The three funding options for the sewer project was approved.
Placing the splash pad near the park restrooms was approved.
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