Independence approves landscaping project

The area surrounding city hall in Independence will get a makeover after the city council voted to approve spending up to $15,500 for landscaping in that area.

The proposal included adding perennial flowers, ornamental trees and a sidewalk from Adams Street to the basketball court. Of the amount approved, $10,000 will be paid through donations.  

The council was torn on how much the project would cost, though other donations could make the price lower than the approved amount. The cost could also be brought down if city employees were to pull the current plants out.

Aldermen Brad Rebarchek and Rich Theisen voted against the project because they were uncertain of the cost because the project was not budgeted. Rebarchek also noted the cost to upkeep the property, but landscaper Dan Filla, from Winona Nursery, said that would be minimal.

“(It’s not going to be) any more than what you’re doing now, to be honest,” Filla said. 

There was some debate about whether or not the city should plant grass seed or use sod. Mayor Robert Baecker suggested going with sod for about $400 more. It was suggested that a donor will pay for the grass, so it would be up to that person, but Baecker suggested the city put sod down and pay the difference, if necessary.

Filla told the council he plans on having the project completed by Mother’s Day, though that will depend on the weather.

In other matters, the council rejected a suggestion by Baecker to adjust the price of garbage bags again.

At its March meeting, the council voted to up the cost of 10, 33-gallon garbage bags to $30 and 10, 13-gallon bags to $24. The increase of the 33-gallon bags was $5, which Baecker thought might be too significant for some people.

“I don’t want to see people throwing things along the road,” Baecker said as he proposed to increase the price to $1.75 instead. 

The reason the price was increased last month is because one seller said he was losing money through credit and debit card fees. Baecker thought increasing the price by $1.75 would cover those fees. The council decided to stick with its original decision.

“(Let’s) stick with it. Ride it out, see what happens,” alderman Jason Ekern said. 

The council also heard that several city residents were willing to test garbage cans, a pilot program suggested by Tri-City Sanitation owner Dave Pientok. 

The council voted to spend some of the remaining $123,383 in federal pandemic relief funds on two new speed limit signs, which will include flashing lights. The vote was to spend up to $5,690 for each sign, Baecker suggested it could be less if the city were to reuse posts for the current signs. 

The council discussed using some of the funds to pay off $62,000 owed to an ambulance service and remodeling the bathrooms at Four Seasons Park, but they did not yet have a bid for that project.

New lights will be installed in the city hall entryway after the council voted to purchase 11 light fixtures at roughly $75 each. The current light fixtures have malfunctioned and it was recommended by an electrician that they be replaced. City employees will be asked to replace the fixtures, in order to limit the cost.

The council also heard that city clerk Lenice Pronshinske sent out 11 letters regarding unsightly properties. Two more letters were to be hand-delivered last week. 

There was some debate about opening streets for ATV/UTV use. Council member Brad Rebarchek said that he saw an ATV driving down a city street earlier that day. 

“If they can do it now, then why are we even talking about it,” he said. 

Baecker said it was recommended by the county to have designated routes. Because county highways have been opened up, people could use County Highway Q to get into the city. 

There was some talk about County X also being open, but state law prohibits the use of the vehicles on state highways in which the speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour. Baecker said there was some discussion with the state to see if that portion of highway could be exempt from the law because of its width.

Theisen expressed hesitation about allowing city streets to be open to ATV/UTV traffic at all.

“Then you have the loud exhaust and other things you have to put up with,” Theisen said.

“No worse than other things, in my opinion,” Baecker responded.

The council deferred any decisions to the street committee, where they hope to meet with county highway commissioner Al Rinka.