The Adrian City Council met on Monday, August 26 at 7 p.m. All of the Council members and department heads were present.
Gary Kurth from DGR Engineering was first on the agenda. He, along with Adam Henning had been assessing the streets of Adrian to determine which streets need improvements as part of the 2020 street project. He reminded the Council that the 2008 project covered almost all of the city’s streets. They determined the areas of Adrian that needed improvements during this project: Louisiana Ave between 6th and 8th streets; 6th street from just west of Arkansas to Indiana Ave; the streets in the lower park/ball diamonds area; the alley behind the EMS building; Sunview Drive; the street by the city maintenance buildings, and all of Arkansas Ave. There was a small area on Tennessee Ave that also needed attention. He was suggesting milling and overlay for Tennessee, Sunview Drive, Arkansas and one block on 6th Street from Indiana to Kentucky. The other areas he was suggesting a full depth replacement. Kurth assured the Council he was trying to stay on the conservative side, but cautioned that the asphalt alone had nearly doubled in price since 2008. He suggested to piggy-back this project with another going on in the area to keep some costs down. Two public hearings will have to be held, the first to inform the public about the project, and the second to discuss costs. The city still has preliminary work to do before the first meeting and over the winter months.
The McCanns approached the City Administrator with concerns about the two trees in front of their house left on the boulevard by the state. After contact with the state, the trees will not be removed at this time. Administration will talk with the McCanns and act per city codes.
Heitkamp reported that the acquisition of the Morganthaler and Dorn properties are moving along. An appraisal had to be done on the Morganthaler land and should be completed within a month. Heitkamp explained that all of the little things take time, but the project is moving along.
Mason Winsel (from Luverne) has approached the City for permission to build an outdoor archery range in the lower park area as his Eagle Scout project. The liability for the city was checked out and Heitkamp was assured that there would be no ‘crazy insurance’ for the range. He also told the Council that most of the people who used the disc golf course were from out-of-town and possibly supported Kum’n Go or Subway while in town and we could expect the same from the archery range. Winsel is planning on doing fundraising to pay for the project and is planning to do most of the work himself. The Council agreed to allow the archery range and stated that if he needed some help to approach the PUC or the City.
Faber congratulated Henning on the fine job on the Senior Dining Center. He said that the Seniors were very happy with their new facilities. It was a good move for them. Langseth stated that after some minor education, more of the Seniors are using the parking behind the building.
The Park Board was seeking approval to build a 24’ x 24’ shed to store machinery SE of the campground office. It would have a cement floor, more on the lines of a pole barn. The Council gave their approval.
Water flow repairs will be made to the Suedkamp addition as discussed in past meetings. Mitchell Reker was the only person to put in a bid and plans to do it when he finishes work for Larry Balster.
City Administrator Bruce Heitkamp put in his resignation effective at the end of September. Heitkamp has accepted a job with the County. His position will be advertised locally and on appropriate sites until filled.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
