Tuesday, April 4, 2017
By Terry Bailey
The Beloit City Council met on Tuesday evening, April 4 to oversee the business of the City. All Councilors were present as well as Mayor Tom Naasz, City Administrator Jason Rabe, City Attorney Katie Schroeder, and City Clerk Amanda Lomax.
In the time reserved for opening comments Mayor Tom Naasz said he had received many positive comments regarding the upcoming Court Street overall between Mill and Hersey Avenue. Most folks believe the work is long past due.
Councilor Matt Otte encouraged everyone to support the events sponsored by NCK CASA directed at reducing child abuse.
City Administrator Rabe reported that all the easements have been signed and processed for the Safe Routes to School sidewalk program. He expects the bids for the sidewalk construction to be let in June and the work to begin in late summer.
Chief of Police Dave Elam presented his quarterly report for Police Department activity from January 1 to March 31. He reported 62 traffic citations, 22 criminal citations, and 7 animal control citations. Additionally, the department logged 1191 calls for service and 423 traffic stops.
The Council took action on renewal of the City’s insurance coverage. They voted to award the city’s insurance to EMC-Insurance with Fouts Insurance as the local agent with a cost of $312,989. An additional premium for the airport property will cost $2,611. The Fire department insurance coverage was awarded to VFIS Inc. in the amount of $4,074.
Mayor Tom Naasz read a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in Beloit. The Council voted unanimously to support the proclamation.
The Council voted to set the pay for the Municipal Judge at $600 per month. Typically the time spent by the Municipal Judge is 1 to 2 days per month.
The Council approved Scott Wright, local attorney, as Municipal Judge.
The Council voted to accept a bid from the City of Mankato for the used firetruck. The bid was for $17,026.20.
Rabe presented the following recommendations for the following positions:
City Attorney – Katie Schroeder
City Newspaper – Beloit Call
Municipal Judge – Scott Wright
City Engineer – Stewart Porter
Cemetery Endowment – Jim Bell, Aaron Lampert, Phil Roberts
Planning Commission – Kathy Roberts and Cheryl Renter
Tree Board – Kathy Bottrell and Stan Deneke
Housing Authority – Larry Golladay and Jackie Larson
Library Board – Tori Bowers
Rabe told the Councilors that three bids had been received for the sewer liner project. He suggested the Council accept the low bid submitted by Layne Inliner LLC for $81,668. They voted to do so.
At the last meeting the Street Department asked permission to bid on a used truck on the market by the City of Lenexa. They won the bid for the truck at $21.450. The Council approved the bid.
A proclamation was read honoring the 43 years of service rendered to the City of Beloit by Ron Sporleader. He officially retired from employment on March 21st. April 4th was officially declared to be Ron Sporleader Day in the City of Beloit. City Administrator presented Sporleader with a plaque and a gold hard hat.
Having addressed all the items on the agenda, the business meeting was adjourned and the work session was called to order.
In the work session the Council discussed how Golf Carts will fit into the new ordinance addressing the use of off road vehicles within the City of Beloit. Interested citizens are encourage to check the appropriate city ordinance to clarify the use of these vehicles.