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Issues at Gateway Park on Monona agenda

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By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

Gateway Park was among the key topics at the Monona City Council’s June 7 meeting. 

 

City Administrator Barb Collins cited several recent issues, including damage to one of the statues at the veterans memorial. An arm of one of the figures was broken off.

 

Collins also referenced a letter from a resident concerned about the safety of children at the new playground. At Collins’ recommendation, the council approved putting up 5 mile per hour and “Children at Play - Proceed with Caution” signs at the park. The city plans to look into adding lighting near the playground as well.

 

The council opted, however, not to post a sign listing the Gateway Park campground rules, believing the camping registration form—which already lists the rules—to be sufficient. 

 

That comes as one of the campground rules, which limits the length of stay to two weeks, is being violated by a family who Collins said currently has nowhere else to stay. The family is paying the nightly fee, she noted, and has complied with other requests from the city.

 

“We made the rules and set them specifically so this doesn’t happen,” said council member Preston Landt.

 

Fellow council member John Elledge wondered how the city could enforce the rule, though. “Now what? Do we pay to have the camper towed?” he asked. “It’s a tough call when somebody doesn’t have a whole lot.”

 

Council member Andy Meyer suggested checking with the family again, to determine a game plan moving forward. Collins said she would do so.

 

Water, sewer rates to be updated

At the meeting, the council approved a one-time water and sewer rate increase to cover the next five years of the city’s new contract with PeopleService. According to Collins, the minimum utility bill, which includes water, sewer and garbage improvement fees, would increase from $89.03 per month to around $103.49. This would mark the first sewer rate increase since March 2015.

 

City elections in November

Collins reminded the council that city and school board elections will take place this year on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The mayoral seat, currently occupied by Eric Koenig, is up for a two-year term. Two, four-year council positions now held by Tim Wright and Preston Landt, as well as one, two-year council seat held by Bridget Schlein, will also be on the ballot. Papers can be picked up at city hall and must be filed with the county auditor’s office between Aug. 23 and Sept. 16.

 

Council meeting date changed

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, the council’s first regular meeting of July will be moved from Monday, July 5 to Tuesday, July 6, at 6 p.m. The second meeting of the month will be held as originally scheduled on Monday, July 19.

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