City of Monona discusses goals
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The city of Monona is looking ahead to its 2024 goals—and those several years down the road. The council, along with mayor Grant Langhus and city administrator Barb Collins, tossed around ideas at the Dec. 4 meeting.
“None of this is written in stone,” said Collins, “but anything from police, public works, culture and recreation, buildings.”
Council member Andy Meyer said streets near the school, including Davis Street and South Page Street, could use improvement.
“Maybe they could even go together,” he said. “And when you do Davis Street, there’s some sidewalk that could be added to that on one side of the street. There’s a lot of foot traffic, especially in the summertime when the pool’s open.”
A dog park is also high on the list—and a common request from residents. Collins suggested a location between the Butterfly Garden and pool, where parking is already available.
“There are so many people who don’t have much of a yard or can’t afford to fence in their backyard. They’d like a place for dogs to run for a bit,” she said.
Langhus mentioned a disc golf course to compliment the Butterfly Trail, and others raised the idea of a downtown mural.
Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. Director Ardie Kuhse said the latter idea has previously come up between herself and NAPA building owner Kathy Kahoon.
Council member John Elledge listed the review and update of the city ordinance book on his list, and Preston Landt suggested council members get tablets. The move, which he has mentioned before, would limit the amount of paper used for council packets and help archive meeting minutes and other documents.
Langhus brought up the idea of adding wi-fi at parks, namely the city park and Gateway Park. He said it would be helpful for cameras that monitor the spaces and potentially be used for electric vehicle charging stations or electronic signs.
The mayor would like to someday see an electronic sign at the U.S. Highway 18 intersection of Kwik Star and Gateway Park. Advertising activities and amenities could draw people into town, he said.
Collins feels one would be well suited at city hall.
“How many people are reading when we put notices out there? And we have some people who don’t do Facebook,” she said. “I see us putting an electronic sign outside the building so people could drive into the parking lot, or if they’re coming in to drop off bills, sit there for three minutes and read the sign to see what’s going on. A lot of city’s even charge if someone wants to put a ‘happy birthday’ on there.”
“I’d like it in a place where someone is able to stop and read it,” she added.
