Winfield City Council votes to donate $1,000 for fireworks

By TRISHA PHELPS

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? The Winfield City Council approved the use of fireworks at next year?s Crooked Creek Days? celebration, though, not approving as much of a donation as the Crooked Creek Days Committee had hoped for.

?Last year I asked the council to back us to $3,000 and the committee and myself raised all $3,000,? stated Scott Jennings, speaking on behalf of the committee.

?Well good for you,? said Councilmember Jan Walter.

?This year, I would like to ask the city to match up to $3,000 for the fireworks show,? said Jennings.

?If you think about it,? added Jennifer Huston from the Crooked Creek Committee, ?last year we didn?t really ask for anything because we ended up raising all of the money. Well, we did ask, but we didn?t receive any money because we ended up not needing it.?

?I know what you think Roger (Sharp, councilmember), I don?t understand why, but we will just assume you don?t want to do it,? added Jennings.

Sharp stated that he felt the money could better serve the Winfield citizens elsewhere, noting that he would hate to see that much taxpayer money ?go up in smoke.?

The council voted to donate only $1,000 this year, with the possibility of donating more at a later date if the committee was unable to come up with the funds.

The council also discussed and voted on several other items.

Ryan Buffington submitted the lone bid for the city?s snow removal. His bid was for $110 per removal, which was the same rate he charged last year.

A cooperative agreement was made between the city and the Southeast Iowa Ridge Blasters, Inc. snowmobile club to allow a snowmobile route in town.

The council discussed the employee handbook for city and library employees.

An agenda item to help fund the roof repair for Twin Lakes Country club was discussed. The matter died for lack of a motion.

The council accepted possession of the Veteran?s building and agreed to create a committee comprised of equal parts of council members, American Legion members and American Legion Auxiliary members.

During the police update, Mayor Chris Finnell relayed to the council that the individual responsible for the multiple car burglaries was caught and punishment is being accorded. He also informed the board that prescription drug drop off day is Oct. 26 and medications can be dropped off at City Hall.

The resignation of Councilmember David Good was announced, though Finnell did not give a reason for Good?s sudden resignation.

The next Winfield City Council meeting will be Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.