NE council approves Fun Days night run, car show

Cassie O’Rourke and Dane Inselmann addressed the North English City Council at its April 5 meeting in regard to plans for Fun Days. Dates of this year’s event are July 28-30.

A request was made for permission to hold the Friday night fun run as has been done in the past, as well as permission to block off part of Main Street for a car show. A portion of the proceeds from the car show will be donated back to the Fun Days committee for next summer. Permission was granted for both the Fun Run and the car show.

Council approved contributing $2,500 to the summer fireworks in addition to the $500 received from an Alliant grant.

Steve and Stacy Axmear addressed the council requesting assistance to help mitigate water collection/ponding near the dugouts and backstop at the Little League ball field by the high school. Plans are to try tiling first, then possibly concrete. The mayor and council were supportive of the project.

Heyne reported on the revised FY24 Budget due to Senate File 181 changes. Budget has been submitted to the county. She also shared proposed FY23 Budget Amendment.

A public hearing for Resolution 2023-04 Budget Amendment FY22/23 was set for May 3. Mayor Dan Strohman discussed current property reports. PINE (Pride In North English) has set the summer cleanup day for Saturday, June 3, from 8 to 11 a.m.

During the utility report, Knipfer reported on a possible leak near the elementary school.

Strohman reported on Main Street Improvements/housing committee.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

David Knipfer, public works, reported on Lakeview. Miller should be finished in the next couple of weeks. City clerk Tara Heyne reported the city had received payment from Municipal for misidentification of lines.

Council approved the following: Div. 2 Release of Claims; Div. 2 Pay Application 12 (final); Div. 2 Notice of Acceptability of Work; declaring the Div. 3/4/8 Contractor to be in default and is thereby terminating the contract, Garden and Associates is to prepare and deliver notice of such. Mayor Dan Strohman noted it is the city council’s desire for the contractor to perform and complete the project.

Also approved were: Div. 5 Release of Claims; Div. 5 Pay Application 7; Div. 5 Change Order 4; Div. 5 Notice of Acceptability. Mark Fincel discussed costs incurred due to additional management of drawn-out project management and how these are being handled within the pay application structure; Garden Invoice #45051.

Mayor Strohman reported on supervisors’ support for the Washington Street project and grant application.

Other business

In other business, council:

Approved the first reading of the chicken ordinance amendment (which allows for quail).

Approved the second reading and waive the third reading of the chicken ordinance amendment (which allows for quail).

Approved participation in the DNR’s “EFC Work in Water” internship program for summer help.

Approved Reschly Tuckpointing ($15,000) and Wells Painting ($3,200) proposals for work to be done on city hall.

Approved the Main Street Pub liquor license renewal.