New Richland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

All members were present as Mayor Tom McShane convened the first New Richland City Council meeting of March Monday evening. The night’s agenda was approved as presented. The consent agenda items were also approved, notably:

• Permission to close South Broadway Ave. adjacent to the City Park on Sunday, April 15 for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.

• Approval of a purchase order for material for the softball infield at Legion Field.

• Repair and/or replacement of the backstop fence at the softball field.

Police Chief Scott Eads noted 79 calls for service and 42 additional contacts in February. The most serious offense was a domestic assault/disorderly which occurred on the front steps of city hall.

Eads reported the new squad car has been delivered but needs equipment installed and markings applied. He expects the new car should be in service in approximately two weeks.

Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel requested approval for the purchase of bed frames at a cost of $1,868. Hebel informed the council about uncollectible funds from past residents as far back as 2008 totaling $49,835. The amount was written off as bad debt. The council approved the bills payable for February but did not act on the final profit and loss for January 2012. Hebel mentioned the current census is 49, with a waiting list and a referral in the works.

New Richland resident Tim Raimann addressed the council about several concerns with the New Richland Police Department.

NR Fire Chief Jeremy Parpart presented two purchase orders to the council. The first was a request for a new firefighting jacket at a cost of $1,170, and the second was for a Rapid Deployment Craft to be used in water and ice rescues at a cost of $4,490. Both purchases were unanimously approved.

The council openly discussed problems with several alleys in the city. Many of the problems are due to ruts caused by the recent thawing. Maintenance supervisor Ryan Nissen will be consulted and tasked with  needed grading/fill during the upcoming weeks.

The council took a brief recess and awaited the arrival of Tom Olinger from Abdo, Eick & Meyers to give an overview of the recently completed 2011 city audit. Olinger highlighted several areas of the audit but no major discrepancies were noted. The council accepted and approved the audit prior to adjournment.

The next meeting of the NR City Council will be held on Monday, March 26, starting at 6:30 p.m.