City of Monona accepting offers for lot
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times
At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Monona City Council approved terms of sale for the recently-acquired residential property at 400 S. Main St., and is now accepting offers for the purchase of the lot.
Those who are interested in the property will have until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, to submit an “offer for purchase” form, which can be picked up at city hall. The council will consider the offers at its Sept. 24 meeting.
Gateway Park camping fees to increase
At the suggestion of mayor Lynn Martinson, the council approved raising camping fees at Gateway Park from $10 to $20.
Looking at other campgrounds, Martinson said he’s found no rates lower than $25. The current $10 fee, he added, barely covers energy usage.
“We’re not turning it into a formal campground,” Martinson said, “but we should consider changing the rate.”
The rate change will go into effect as soon as the fee envelopes can be updated.
At the meeting, police chief Jo Amsden also agreed to a request from Martinson that the police department begin handling camping fees and registration at the park. The city workers had been handling the duties.
Be wary of fraud
Amsden warned that the police department has seen an increase in the number of fraud cases. Common scams, she said, claim to be the state or a utility company, and tell victims they owe money or have not paid a bill. Scammers also pose as loved ones or acquaintances and claim they need bond money to get out of jail, she added.
“I just want to let residents know not to give out personal information over the phone,” she said.
Parking area to be created near Butterfly Garden
Visitors to the city’s Butterfly Garden and Trail will soon have a small lot to park in. The council approved a request from Martinson to create a parking area at the end of Davis Street that could hold five to seven vehicles.
Martinson said the area is necessary because MFL MarMac school buses often have a difficult time negotiating the corner in front of the Butterfly Garden when vehicles are parked there.
By creating a parking area, he said the city will also use up some excess fill and rock that’s been sitting by the north lift station. City labor, fuel and equipment will be utilized to complete the project.
Dates changed for council meetings
The council will change its meeting dates in both September and October, due to the Labor Day holiday throwing off the regular schedule. Meetings will now move from the first and third Mondays to the second and fourth: Sept. 10 and 24 and Oct. 8 and 22. All meetings begin at 6 p.m., at city hall.
