New Richland City Council
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. All members were in attendance. The agenda was approved along with the consent agenda.
The Care Center report stated there were three new advisory board members: Judith Ritter, Cathy Crowe, and Joann Maloney.
The Care Center is going to go through and mark the percentage of variables between what is being budgeted and how much is actually being spent, which the council approved. The money market report and write-off report was given, with the council approving both reports. The Care Center is using a different payroll account, so they requested the money left over in the payroll account in the bank, an amount of $3,178.46, be moved to the general account, which was approved.
The Care Center is looking to temp agencies for CNAs because there just aren’t enough people for all the hours needed. Another idea is to look at the CNA program at South Central College to see if anyone is qualified enough for the positions.New computers are being installed, with the hope the phones will also be updated in the coming months. The current phone system does not have voice mail, something they would like to have. With new phones, the department heads could have their own lines, so people could call them directly. They are waiting to see how the new computers turn out, before deciding they will use the same company to put in the phones.
The PeoplesService report was given for November and December. There was some freezing in the pipes due to the cold, but nothing they haven’t seen before. There is a plan to replace belts on generators, because it has been some time since the current ones were replaced. The council approved an increase in the consumer price index and approved the report.
The fire department received approval to buy four metal shelves for storing pull tabs, with the price not to exceed $400. There will also be a $10,000 construction fee to be paid off over eight years. The council also approved the buying of two TVs that will be used for training large groups of people. One big TV will be facing the audience, and a smaller TV will be facing the instructor so he is able to see the presentation he is giving.
The railroad has agreed to let the county remove both the mainline and the spur track crossings. The removal of both tracks comes with a condition that, if in the future they want to reactivate and upgrade the line, the city and county will be required to compensate for the cost of the crossing and any signal work at that time. The railroad is also requiring that the mainline track crossing grade be maintained in case this happens in the future. This will save around $110,000 to the street improvement project.
Ordinance 14-01 was approved by the council. This ordinance is about the placing of no parking signs on Broadway to Aspen and on both sides of Birch Street.