July 17 Council Meeting

A little late on commenting on this meeting. Summer stuff interests me more than blogging. Anyway, we only had 3 council members there, so just enough for a quorum. The meeting took about 75 minutes or so I think.

We started off with a Public Hearing regarding our proposed lease with 1 Source Wireless in regards to construction of a tower near our city sheds on the north side of town. Verizon will be placing their equipment on the tower.

We had one individual speak against it. I think it would be a good idea for Roland. People want to live where there is cell service, and frankly Verizon's coverage, especially in building, in Roland, is terrible. This tower is a good thing for Roland, and it is situated in a good spot based on our zoning. It is going up in an area zoned industrial, which is why we didn't plop it down in the middle of a residential district.

The council heard some information from the individual opposed to the tower, and decided they wanted to investigate the merits of the claims. So the council took no action on the lease, and it will be on the agenda for next meeting. If you are a Verizon customer, and want better coverage in Roland, please contact one of the council members and encourage them to vote for the lease. Even better, come down to the meeting and speak in favor of the city's lease.

As an aside, the Board of Adjustments already approved the variance to allow the tower in a 5-0 vote. Our city ordinances do not allow any structure over 60 feet tall, without special approval.

As for other stuff in the meeting, the council approved several resolutions--accepting the recommendation of the Board of Adjustment on the tower, and closing streets for a couple of events. The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance adding a no parking zone near Britson Park.

The council approved a plan to go forth with a resurvey of family incomes in a section of town that reported near 50% low to moderate income. If we can get survey results above 50%, that makes us eligible for a Community Block Development Grant, which we can used towards storm and sanitary sewer work, and will save Roland taxpayers some big bucks. No one verifies what is reported during the survey. So hopefully we find more people who report low to moderate incomes.

In another vote that affects everyone in town, the council agreed to renew the contract with Stone Sanitation for our city's garbage pickup. I think any of the choices would have been good. We received a bid from Waste Management, which was about .25 a month lower for the first year, but with a 3% per year increase. They are the biggest garbage provider in the USA. I'm sure they didn't get there by doing a bad job. Chitty's came in with the same first year bid as Waste Management. I have had some experience with them with my employer, and always had good luck with them. As for Stone, in my 8 years on council, and almost 4 as mayor, I have never had a phone call complaining about the job that they do. That is pretty amazing, so I saw no need to divert from them. I don't have a vote, but the council voted 3-0 in favor of staying with Stone Sanitation. I think they really go the extra mile in taking care of that extra bag you may throw out or whatever.

Lastly, I appointed or re-appointed 7 individuals to various boards and commissions in Roland. Terms had expired on June 30. That is one of those small things, that it is nice that people step up to do. As a reminder, I still have an opening on the Park Board to fill, or the Pool Board if you are interested with that (as one person would flop between Pool to Park if need be.)