By Mari Radtke
Brief discussion was held by council about the absence of signage in Primghar about seasonal parking. A written concern had been made to the city. No one could be certain of Primghar signage cautioning visitors and residents alike to keep vehicles off the streets during the overnight hours. No decision was made about placement of any additional signage.
Brad Stevens serves as Primghar law enforcement. He reports to Council quarterly. He noted that Primghar is very quiet but did want guidance from Council about unpaid parking tickets. He asked, “If the law has no teeth why have it?” Council discussed several options to collect the year old or older outstanding parking tickets. More information on options available to Council to collect the old debts will be presented in the future.
Employee updates to council included a conversation about an ordinance regulating tree planting on the parking. A few ideas were shared but none decided. Councilman Ryan Jenness suggested tabling adoption of the new ordinance book for Primghar until a tree ordinance could be included. Later in the meeting the first reading of the “2024 Code of Ordinance Book” passed. A February 14 public hearing on the new ordinance book was set.
Much of the discussion during the employee updates centered around the lagoon expansion project. While trying to install a length of pipe construction crews found a bad spot in the existing pipe that leaks. They are unable to install the new pipe until the leak is found and repaired. Councilman Steve Wittrock added to the lagoon project talks noting that it was asked during the construction meeting if the bridge to the lagoons would last through the project under the repeated weight of the trucks. Discussion around the question ended with the council members being comfortable with a statement by Councilman Tim Honkomp, “It’s not our cost. They could have included it in the bid.”
The public hearing to sell property at 180 2nd St. SW to AANDD Properties of Sheldon went through its due process. During the public hearing Traci Lenz asked questions about the process for the city to sell property it owns for $1. Attorney Thor Klinker, who was present to give a detailed update on nuisance cases explained how the system works. He noted the sales agreement is for $1 “and other valuable consideration.” Terms of the agreement include a schedule of having the house habitable. That effort is the “other valuable consideration.” He further explained a deed is not granted until the terms of the agreement are met and satisfy an inspection. This sales agreement also includes a penalty based on certain actions within a specified timeframe.
Appointment of a City Attorney was tabled until Bruce Green could attend. Mayor Kurt Edwards thanked Klinker for being available to assist during Green’s absence.
“O”Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier” was appointed Primghar’s official newspaper and depositories and deposit limits were approved.
Cory Crouch was appointed Fire Chief and the tax abatement application for A&K Storage was approved.
The financial reports were reviewed and approved and a budget workshop was set for Tuesday January 30, 2024.