By Mari Radtke
Primghar Council’s regular March 9 meeting heard a report form new “Kid’s Kampus” staff. Tammy Behrens and Josie Whitney appeared before the council with an update. In addition to reporting that all staff is CPR certified, staff members are working toward the 6 required CEUs (Continuing Education Credits), and the director’s 8 required CEUs each year. Behrens and Whitney also reported replacing the blinds with metal blinds required by fire code. New curriculum ideas and a structured daily scheduled for the big room (2 year old through school age) is being introduced. Space in the 1-2 year old room was low. The infant room (6 weeks to 1 year) was separated from the 1-2 year olds providing more play space for the toddlers. The move allowed the center space to bring 4 families from the waiting list. Current staff levels are 9 full time and 2 part time and a variety of high school and college as needed staff. The increased families allowed for improved wages.
Two public hearings were scheduled on March 9. The first was for the sale of property on the square to Hestia Investments, LLC. The building most recently housed a second hand store. It has been closed for several years. No comments were received by the city and the council passed the resolution to sell the property.
The second public hearing was for the city’s fiscal year 2023 budget. No public comments were received and council passed this resolution also.
The council passed additional resolutions including approval to write off as much as $6000 of bad debt for utility. City Clerk Carol Chicoine noted that the offset program would kick in where any collection from tax returns is possible.
By resolution the council agreed to an application for a grant to O’Brien County Community Foundation to assist with playground equipment at the city park. The city plans to purchase a multi-toy playground piece that carries a price tag of $36,000.
Primghar Golf and Country Club fees also won approval by resolution to change. A selection of memberships is available for single or for family. Each membership type increased by $10. Single memberships range from $365 to $390 per year. Family memberships range from $485 to $510 per year. Driving range memberships are now $80. Student memberships are $130 for single golf and $20 for driving range. An option to play area courses are now $25 and $50m single/family.
Council and the golf board agreed to move a treasurer’s report line item showing a $121,232.17 loss for the golf course to a loan from the municipal utility. The figure comes from start up costs and will be repaid from available revenue over time.
Council held a discussion of a rate study for a generator to supplement the city’s utility service. The utility will have no debt during the 2023 fiscal year. The cost of the line upgrades and a generator could be as high as $3 million. DGR Engineering conducted the rate study and offered 4 choices to the city. No decision was reached. Conversation about the generator size was held in the backdrop of a Saturday (March 5) power outage due to high winds. It was reported that the outage was not because of municipal hardware but from NIPCO equipment.